NSC 2026 Timetable — South Africa Matric Exam Schedule
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Last updated: 14 April 2026
The NSC (National Senior Certificate) matric exams run in two windows in 2026. The May/June 2026 session (supplementary and improvement exams) runs from 11 May to 25 June 2026. The November 2026 main exams begin in late October — the full timetable is expected from the DBE by August 2026. Mathematics P1 is on 29 May for the May/June session.
Two exam windows in 2026
May/June 2026 — Supplementary / Improvement Session
11 May – 25 June 2026
For candidates who wrote in November 2025 and are supplementing or improving their results. Mathematics P1 on 29 May, Mathematics P2 on 1 June.
November 2026 — Main Matric Exams
~October–November 2026 (dates TBC)
The main NSC exams for Grade 12 candidates. The full timetable will be released by the DBE by August 2026. Bookmark this page for updates.
NSC 2026 full schedule
| Date | Subject / Paper | Session | Start | Duration | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, 29 May 2026 | Mathematics Paper 1 (May/June session) | Morning | 09:00 | 180 minutes | May/June 2026 supplementary/improvement session |
| Mon, 1 Jun 2026 | Mathematics Paper 2 (May/June session) | Morning | 09:00 | 180 minutes | May/June 2026 supplementary/improvement session |
| Mon, 26 Oct 2026 | English Home Language P1 (November session) | Morning | 09:00 | 180 minutes | November 2026 main matric exam — dates approximate, confirm on education.gov.za |
| Wed, 28 Oct 2026 | Mathematics P1 (November session) | Morning | 09:00 | 180 minutes | November 2026 main matric exam — dates approximate |
| Tue, 3 Nov 2026 | Mathematical Literacy | Afternoon | 14:00 | 180 minutes | |
| Thu, 5 Nov 2026 | Life Sciences | Afternoon | 14:00 | 180 minutes | |
| Mon, 9 Nov 2026 | Physical Sciences | Morning | 09:00 | 180 minutes |
Practice NSC subjects with AI
For each subject below, click the link to practise AI-generated questions aligned to the NSC syllabus. Get instant explanations and coaching on every weak area.
NSC pass levels explained
| Level | Percentage | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Pass | 30–39% | Minimum pass — limited progression options |
| Pass with Merit | 40–49% | Qualifies for certain college diplomas |
| Bachelor's Degree Pass | 50%+ in 4 subjects incl. Home Language | Required for university admission |
| Distinctions | 80%+ | Per subject — recognised on certificate |
NSC 2026 key facts
- Exam body
- DBE (Department of Basic Education, South Africa)
- May/June session
- 11 May – 25 June 2026
- November session
- ~October–November 2026 (TBC)
- Morning session
- 09:00
- Afternoon session
- 14:00
- Official site
- education.gov.za
Download official timetable
Always verify exam dates with the official NSC source. Dates on this page are for guidance only.