The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has officially released the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) October/November Final Examination Timetable. The matric exams 2025 will begin on Tuesday, 21 October 2025 and conclude on Thursday, 27 November 2025.
Before the main written exams, schools will complete Pledge Signing on Friday, 17 October 2025 and Life Orientation (LO CAT) tasks by Monday, 1 September 2025. Practical exams will start earlier in the term.
2025 Matric Exam Timetable Overview
| Exam Week | Date | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 20 – 24 October 2025 | Tue 21 Oct: Computer Applications Technology P1 (Practical) Wed 22 Oct: Information Technology P1 (Practical) Thu 23 Oct: English HL, FAL & SAL P3 Fri 24 Oct: Afrikaans HL, FAL & SAL P3 |
| Week 2 | 27 – 31 October 2025 | Mon 27 Oct: isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati, isiNdebele HL/FAL/SAL P3, Accounting P1 Tue 28 Oct: Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga, Tshivenda HL/FAL/SAL P3, Civil Technology Wed 29 Oct: English HL/FAL/SAL P1, History P1, Engineering Graphics & Design P1 Thu 30 Oct: Mathematics P1, Mathematical Literacy P1, Technical Mathematics P1 |
| Week 3 | 3 – 7 November 2025 | Mon 3 Nov: Mathematics P2, Mathematical Literacy P2, Agricultural Sciences P1 Tue 4 Nov: isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati, isiNdebele HL/FAL/SAL P1, Accounting P2 Wed 5 Nov: Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga, Tshivenda HL/FAL/SAL P1, Business Studies P1 Thu 6 Nov: Physical Sciences (Physics) P1, Technical Sciences P1, History P2 |
| Week 4 | 10 – 14 November 2025 | Mon 10 Nov: Physical Sciences (Chemistry) P2, Technical Sciences P2, Visual Arts P1 Tue 11 Nov: Afrikaans HL/FAL/SAL P1, Business Studies P2 Wed 12 Nov: Geography P1, Computer Applications Technology P2 (Theory) Thu 13 Nov: English HL/FAL/SAL P2, Information Technology P2 (Theory), Life Sciences P1, Electrical Technology |
| Week 5 | 17 – 21 November 2025 | Mon 17 Nov: Life Sciences P2, Dramatic Arts Tue 18 Nov: Geography P2, Engineering Graphics & Design P2 Wed 19 Nov: Economics P1, Tourism Thu 20 Nov: Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga, Tshivenda HL/FAL/SAL P2, Agricultural Sciences P2 Fri 21 Nov: Afrikaans HL/FAL/SAL P2, Economics P2 |
| Week 6 | 24 – 27 November 2025 | Mon 24 Nov: Agricultural Technology, Music P1 (Theory), Design Tue 25 Nov: Consumer Studies, Hospitality Studies, Dance P1 Wed 26 Nov: Agricultural Management Practices, Marine Sciences P2, Music P2 (Comprehension) Thu 27 Nov: CAT P1 Rewrite (Practical), IT P1 Rewrite (Practical) |
Matric Exams 2025: Key Details
In the Western Cape, 77 442 candidates are registered to write the 2025 NSC examinations — 67 606 full-time and 9 836 part-time or repeat candidates, reflecting a rise of over 3 000 candidates compared to 2024.
The first paper, Computer Applications Technology (CAT) Practical, will have 12 736 learners sitting on 21 October 2025. Across the full exam period, 112 papers will be written.
Mathematical Literacy remains the most written subject, with 53 206 learners expected for Paper 1 on 31 October and Paper 2 on 3 November 2025. In contrast, Sesotho First Additional Language and Setswana Home Language each have only one registered learner.
All exams will take place at 473 centres under the supervision of 2 046 invigilators. 4 190 markers will assess more than 954 000 scripts, with marking beginning in early December.
Western Cape MEC for Education David Maynier commended both learners and educators for their dedication, encouraging communities to support candidates during the final stretch of preparation.
The national matric results will be announced on Monday, 12 January 2026, with individual results released the next day, Tuesday, 13 January 2026.
Download the Full 2025 Matric Timetable (PDF)
Learners can download the complete 2025 NSC Final Examination Timetable PDF from the Department of Basic Education’s website. The official document includes all subjects — Home Languages, First Additional Languages, and Second Additional Languages.
