The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has released the official timetable for the 2026 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, scheduled for October and November.
Here’s an overview of the key dates and subjects:
Table of Contents
Key Dates
- Start of Exams: Tuesday, 21 October 2026
- End of Exams: Thursday, 27 November 2026
- Life Orientation CAT (Common Assessment Task): Monday, 1 September 2026
- Pledge Signing Day: Friday, 17 October 2026
Matric Exam Schedule 2026
WEEK 1:
- Tuesday, 21 October:
- Computer Applications Technology P1 (Practical)
- Languages: Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telegu, Urdu HL/FAL/SAL P1
- Hebrew SAL P1
- German HL/SAL P1
- Wednesday, 22 October:
- Information Technology P1 (Practical)
- Languages: Arabic, French, Italian, Mandarin, Modern Greek, Serbian, Spanish SAL P1
- Latin SAL P1
- Portuguese HL/FAL/SAL P1
- Thursday, 23 October:
- English HL/FAL/SAL P3
- Languages: Arabic, French, Italian, Mandarin, Modern Greek, Serbian, Spanish SAL P2
- Latin SAL P2
- Portuguese HL P2, FAL/SAL P2
- Equine Studies
- Friday, 24 October:
- Afrikaans HL/FAL/SAL P3
- Languages: Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telegu, Urdu HL/FAL/SAL P2
- Hebrew SAL P2
- German HL/SAL P2
WEEK 2:
- Monday, 27 October:
- isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati, isiNdebele HL/FAL/SAL P3
- Accounting P1
- Tuesday, 28 October:
- Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga, Tshivenda HL/FAL/SAL P3
- South African Sign Language HL P3
- Civil Technology
- Sport and Exercise Science
- Wednesday, 29 October:
- English HL/FAL/SAL P1
- Languages: Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telegu, Urdu HL/FAL P3
- Portuguese, German HL/FAL P3
- Thursday, 30 October:
- History P1
- Engineering Graphics and Design P1
- Friday, 31 October:
- Mathematics P1
- Mathematical Literacy P1
- Technical Mathematics P1
- Religion Studies P1
WEEK 3:
- Monday, 3 November:
- Mathematics P2
- Mathematical Literacy P2
- Technical Mathematics P2
- Agricultural Sciences P1
- Tuesday, 4 November:
- isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati, isiNdebele HL/FAL/SAL P1
- Accounting P2
- Maritime Economics
- Wednesday, 5 November:
- Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga, Tshivenda HL/FAL/SAL P1
- South African Sign Language HL P1
- Religion Studies P2
- Mechanical Technology
- Thursday, 6 November:
- isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati, isiNdebele HL/FAL/SAL P2
- Business Studies P1
- Friday, 7 November:
- Physical Sciences (Physics) P1
- Technical Sciences P1
- History P2
WEEK 4:
- Monday, 10 November:
- Physical Sciences (Chemistry) P2
- Technical Sciences P2
- Visual Arts P1
- Nautical Science P1
- Tuesday, 11 November:
- Afrikaans HL/FAL/SAL P1
- Business Studies P2
- Wednesday, 12 November:
- Geography P1
- Computer Applications Technology P2 (Theory)
- Nautical Science P2
- Thursday, 13 November:
- English HL/FAL/SAL P2
- Information Technology P2 (Theory)
- Marine Sciences P1
- Friday, 14 November:
- Life Sciences P1
- Electrical Technology
WEEK 5:
- Monday, 17 November:
- Life Sciences P2
- Dramatic Arts
- Tuesday, 18 November:
- Geography P2
- Engineering Graphics and Design P2
- Wednesday, 19 November:
- Economics P1
- Tourism
- Thursday, 20 November:
- Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga, Tshivenda HL/FAL/SAL P2
- South African Sign Language HL P2
- Agricultural Sciences P2
- Friday, 21 November:
- Afrikaans HL/FAL/SAL P2
- Economics P2
WEEK 6:
- Monday, 24 November:
- Agricultural Technology
- Music P1 (Theory)
- Design
- Tuesday, 25 November:
- Consumer Studies
- Hospitality Studies
- Dance P1
- Wednesday, 26 November:
- Agricultural Management Practices
- Marine Sciences P2
- Music P2 (Comprehension)
- Thursday, 27 November:
- Computer Applications Technology P1 (Practical) Rewrite
- Information Technology P1 (Practical) Rewrite
For the complete and detailed timetable, including all subjects and papers, you can download the official PDF from the Department of Basic Education’s website:
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
- Candidates should remain available until 12 December 2026 in case any exams need to be rescheduled due to unforeseen circumstances.
- Exams will be conducted at various centres nationwide, including public schools, independent centres, designated centres, and part-time centres.
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