The 2026 National Senior Certificate (NSC) final examinations are fast approaching, with matric learners across South Africa set to begin their final exams in October.
According to the official timetable released by the Department of Basic Education (DBE), the 2026 NSC exams will start on Tuesday, 13 October and run until Thursday, 26 November.
The timetable applies to public schools writing the NSC examinations.
Some matric exams start earlier
While the main examination period begins in October, some subjects have assessment dates earlier in the year.
Learners taking Life Orientation, Performing Arts or Visual Arts and Design should pay particular attention to the earlier dates.
The Life Orientation Common Assessment Task (CAT) is scheduled for Tuesday, 1 September.
Learners should check the official timetable carefully to ensure they know when their individual assessments and examinations take place.
What time do matric exams start?
The DBE timetable has two standard examination sessions.
Morning papers begin at 09:00, while afternoon papers start at 14:00.
Matric learners are advised to arrive at their examination venues well before the scheduled starting time.
Being late can add unnecessary stress to an already demanding examination period, so learners should plan their travel and arrival times in advance.
With the final examinations approaching, learners are encouraged to use the remaining time to revise, prepare their examination materials and familiarise themselves with the official timetable.
Week 1: 13 to 17 October
The first week opens with CAT and IT practicals, followed by language papers. English Paper 3 – the writing and composition paper – falls on Thursday 15 October, which is earlier than many students expect.
Week 2: 19 to 23 October
Week two carries most of the major home language papers alongside Accounting and Mathematics Paper 1. Friday 23 October is the busiest single morning of the exam season for most students.
Week 3: 26 to 30 October
Mathematics Paper 2 opens this week on Monday – just one weekend after Paper 1. Physical Sciences follows at the end of the week, with Physics on Friday 30 October and Chemistry the following Monday.
Week 4: 2 November
Physical Sciences Paper 2 (Chemistry) opens the week on Monday, then the timetable breaks for four days. It’s breathing room – use it for Life Sciences and Business Studies revision.
Week 5: 9 to 13 November
Life Sciences Paper 1 closes out this week on Friday. Monday has no exams, so you have the weekend and Monday to prepare for a busy week of home language papers and Business Studies.
Week 6: 16 to 20 November
Life Sciences Paper 2 opens Monday, followed by English and History later in the week. This is the last full week of major papers for most NSC candidates.
Final Week: 23 to 26 November
The last four days are mostly specialist and smaller-enrolment subjects, along with the CAT and IT P1 rewrites on Thursday 26 November.
Good luck to you if you’re writing matric exams in 2026!
