Matric exams, which are set by the Department of Basic Education, are exclusively conducted through in-person written assessments. Online matric exams are not available. Students are assigned specific exam sessions and centers, which are communicated to them in advance.
Timing of Matric Exams: For high school students pursuing the National Senior Certificate, matric exams are scheduled during the October/November exam session or as communicated by the Department of Basic Education.
Adult students pursuing the Senior Certificate (Amended) take their matric exams during the May/June exam session or as communicated by the Department of Basic Education.
Registration for Matric Exams: High School – National Senior Certificate: Registration for the National Senior Certificate exams for high school students is done through their respective schools. The school registers the students to write the exams and designates the school itself as an examination center.
Adults – Senior Certificate (Amended): The Department of Basic Education opens registrations for Adult Senior Certificate exams from October/November until January of the following year. Both online and in-person registrations are accepted.
Online Exam Registration: You can register online by accessing the Department of Basic Education e-Services site.
In-Person Exam Registration: Visit your nearest Education District Office to register in person.
How to Register Online or at the District Office:
- Complete the registration form.
- Attach/upload the required supporting documents. Required Documents:
- Completed registration form.
- Certified copy of your ID or birth certificate. Non-South African students should provide their passport for identification.
- Repeat candidates must include a copy of their previous highest qualification.
- Examination numbers from previous Grade 12 or equivalent exams.
Documents to Bring on Exam Day:
- Exam admission letter.
- Proof of identity, such as ID, passport, or birth certificate.
- High school students only need to bring their exam admission letter.
- Exam timetable.
Matric Exam Centers: Matric exams are conducted at designated exam centers, which adhere to strict guidelines set by the Department of Basic Education.
Location: High School – National Senior Certificate: Exam centers for high school students are usually located at their respective schools. If the exam center is not at the school, students will be informed of the designated location by their school.
Adults – Senior Certificate (Amended): During registration, adult students must select an exam center closest to their place of residence. Exam centers are typically situated in schools. The District Office will assist in choosing the appropriate exam center.
Exam Invigilation: Matric examination centers have a chief invigilator and regular invigilators who ensure the following:
- Candidates correctly write their identity numbers/exam numbers on their answer books.
- Exam sessions start and end as per the specified timetable.
- Invigilators move around the exam room without disturbing candidates.
- Invigilators cannot assist candidates in answering questions or explaining unclear portions of the exam paper.
- Invigilators safeguard the integrity of the exam paper and prevent any leaks to candidates.
- Invigilators adhere to special exam requirements for certain subjects.
- Invigilators cannot invigilate an exam subject they teach.
Admission to and Exit from the Exam Room: Invigilators have specific duties regarding the admission and exit of students from the exam room:
- Candidates must present their admission letter and proof of identity for admission.
- In special cases, candidates may be admitted to the exam room after the start of the exam but not after the first hour.
- Candidates must be seated at least fifteen minutes before the exam session begins.
- Candidates have ten minutes of reading time for each question paper, during which writing is not permitted.
- Candidates cannot leave the exam room during the first hour of the exam session.
- Only registered candidates, the chief invigilator, and authorized department representatives are allowed in the exam room.
- Candidates may leave the exam room in case of emergency but only under supervision.
Matric Exam Center Rules: At the beginning of every exam session, the following rules are announced:
- The examination will be conducted in this room for the specified subjects. Candidates not enrolled for these subjects must leave.
- No requests or explanations regarding exam questions are permitted.
- After submitting your exam script, you must leave the examination room. Leaving within the first hour is not allowed, except in emergencies under supervision.
- Candidates must carefully read and comply with the instructions on the front cover of their answer book and the question paper.
- Candidates may not assist or communicate with others, except the invigilators. Questions should be directed to the invigilator.
- Disruptive or improper behavior in the examination room is not tolerated.
- Candidates must follow the instructions of the invigilator.
- Candidates may not possess books, memoranda, notes, maps, photos, or any materials not provided by the invigilator, except as specified.
- Only non-programmable calculators are allowed, unless prohibited by the question paper.
- Failure to comply with instructions may result in suspension from future exams and denial of credit for the papers written.
- All aids, answer books, and answer sheets must be handed in before leaving the examination room.
- Any errata regarding a specific question paper will be communicated to the concerned candidates.
- Candidates are allowed ten minutes of reading time for the question paper before the official start of the examination, during which no writing is permitted.
Source: Department of Basic Education – National Policy on Conduct, Administration, and Management of the Senior Certificate Examination, 2010 (https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/201409/doenational-policy-conduct-administration-and-management-assessment-senior-certificate11062010.pdf)
Minimum Pass Requirements: High School – National Senior Certificate: To receive an NSC certificate, high school candidates must meet the following minimum pass requirements:
- Score 40% in the home language subject.
- Score 40% in two other subjects.
- In case of failing the first additional language subject, achieve 30% in the remaining subjects.
- A total of six passes are required with an average of 33⅓%.
Adults – Senior Certificate (Amended): To obtain a Senior Certificate (Amended), adult candidates must meet the following minimum pass requirements:
- Pass three subjects at 40%, including an official Home Language subject.
- Pass two subjects at 30%, including an official First Additional Language subject.
- Achieve a minimum of 20% in the sixth subject.
Matric College Matric Courses: Adult Matric/Volwasse Matriek: Matric College offers the Adult Matric Course in English and Afrikaans via distance learning. Individuals over the age of 21 who haven’t obtained their Matric can apply to study this course and write the final Matric exams to obtain a Senior Certificate (Amended).
Entry requirements for this course:
- Age 21 or older when writing the Adult Matric Exams (applications can be made from 19 years old).
- Proficiency in reading, writing, and understanding English or Afrikaans.
- Passed Grade 9 with a certificate or report, or completed a Grade 9 equivalent course (e.g., ABET Certificate) with two official language subjects.
Matric Upgrade: The Matric Upgrade course is available for students who wish to improve their Matric marks. Matric College offers this course in English or Afrikaans via distance learning. Students can choose to retake subjects or study new ones. The results of the new subjects can be added to their existing Matric Certificate.
Entry requirements for this course:
- Completed Matric previously.
- Incomplete Matric result, failed Matric report from Umalusi, or passed Matric Certificate from Umalusi.
- Age 21 or older when writing the Matric Upgrade exams (applications can be made from 19 years old).
- Proficiency in reading, writing, and understanding English or Afrikaans.
Frequently Asked Questions: Q: What can I do if I fail my Matric exams?
- You have options to have your exam papers rechecked, remarked, or viewed.
- Recheck: An examiner recalculates your marks on the exam paper. You can request rechecking for all your Matric exam papers. The cost is R29.00 per paper.
- Remark: Your exam is marked by a new examiner. You can request a remark for any number of Matric exam papers. The cost is R120.00 per paper.
- View: You can request to view the Matric exam paper you wrote after remarking and rechecking. The cost is R234.00 per subject.
Please note that prices for recheck, remark, and viewing of Matric exam papers are subject to change.