The Department of Basic Education has officially released the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) Final Examination Timetable. Starting on Tuesday, 21 October 2025, this exam schedule will run through to Thursday, 27 November 2025 — marking a critical period for Grade 12 learners across South Africa.
If you’re writing matric exams this year, now is the time to prepare. Below is a detailed look at the schedule for the first few weeks and important exam notes.
Key Highlights from the NSC 2025 Exam Timetable
Pledge Signing
- Friday, 17 October 2025 – All Grade 12 learners will take the official NSC exam pledge.
Life Orientation Common Assessment Task (CAT)
- Monday, 1 September 2025 – Main assessment
- Tuesday, 14 October 2025 – Rewrite (if needed)
Exam Timetable Overview – First Weeks
Week 1: 21–24 October 2025
Tuesday, 21 October
- Computer Applications Technology P1 (3hrs) – Practical
- Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telegu, Urdu HL/FAL/SAL P1 (2hrs)
- Hebrew SAL P1 (2hrs)
- German HL, SAL P1 (2hrs)
Wednesday, 22 October
- Information Technology P1 (3hrs) – Practical
- Arabic, French, Italian, Mandarin, Modern Greek, Serbian, Spanish SAL P1 (2hrs)
- Latin SAL P1 (3hrs)
- Portuguese HL, FAL, SAL P1 (2hrs)
Thursday, 23 October
- English HL P3 (3hrs)
- English FAL P3 / SAL P3 (2½hrs)
- Additional languages SAL and Portuguese P2
- Equine Studies (3hrs)
Friday, 24 October
- Afrikaans HL P3 (3hrs)
- Afrikaans FAL / SAL P3 (2½hrs)
- Indian languages HL/FAL/SAL P2
- Hebrew SAL P2 (2hrs)
- German HL P2 (2½hrs), SAL P2 (2hrs)
Week 2: 27–31 October 2025
Monday, 27 October
- isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati, isiNdebele HL P3 (3hrs), FAL/SAL P3 (2½hrs)
- Accounting P1 (2hrs)
Tuesday, 28 October
- Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga, Tshivenda HL/FAL/SAL P3
- South African Sign Language HL P3
- Civil Technology (3hrs)
- Sport and Exercise Science (3hrs)
Wednesday, 29 October
- English HL/FAL/SAL P1 (2hrs)
- Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telegu, Urdu HL/FAL P3 (2½hrs)
- Portuguese/German HL P3, FAL P3 (2½hrs)
Thursday, 30 October
- History P1 (3hrs)
- Engineering Graphics and Design P1 (3hrs)
Friday, 31 October
- Mathematics P1 (3hrs)
- Mathematical Literacy P1 (3hrs)
- Technical Mathematics P1 (3hrs)
- Religion Studies P1 (2hrs)
Week 3: 3–7 November 2025
Monday, 3 November
- Mathematics P2 / Mathematical Literacy P2 / Technical Mathematics P2 (3hrs)
- Agricultural Sciences P1 (2½hrs)
Tuesday, 4 November
- African languages HL/FAL/SAL P1
- Accounting P2 (2hrs)
- Maritime Economics (3hrs)
Wednesday, 5 November
- Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga, Tshivenda HL/FAL/SAL P1
- South African Sign Language HL P1
- Religion Studies P2 (2hrs)
- Mechanical Technology (3hrs)
Thursday, 6 November
- isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati, isiNdebele HL/FAL P2 (2½hrs), SAL P2 (1½hrs)
- Business Studies P1 (2hrs)
Friday, 7 November
- Physical Sciences P1 (Physics) / Technical Sciences P1 (3hrs)
- History P2 (3hrs)
Practical Exam Dates
- 14 August – 24 October 2025: Performing Arts Practicals
- 14 – 24 October 2025: Visual Arts and Design Practicals
- Thursday, 27 November 2025: CAT and IT Practical Rewrites
Important Reminders
- Be seated 30 minutes before the exam begins
- Morning session starts at 09:00
- Afternoon session (where applicable) begins at 14:00
- No late arrivals or alternative dates allowed
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