Gauteng Grade 12 learners will begin their 2026 preliminary examinations on Tuesday, 25 August, with the provincial timetable running until Friday, 18 September. The exams come as matric pupils enter the final stretch before the National Senior Certificate examinations, which begin nationally in October. While matric prelims are not national examinations, they provide an important opportunity for learners to test their preparation, identify weak areas, and adjust their study strategies before the final papers.