Matric exams (the National Senior Certificate or NSC) mark the culmination of 12 years of schooling. Every year, learners, parents, and teachers anxiously watch the calendar, plan study timetables, and try to stay sane under pressure. But having the official exam schedule in your hands helps — it anchors your preparation, your rest days, and your confidence.
Below is a detailed blog version—including the 2025 exam timetable—that you can use, share, or adapt.
🎯 Why the Timetable Matters
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It tells you when to be ready for each subject.
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Helps you allocate revision time appropriately.
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Prevents last-minute surprises or double-booking yourself.
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Lets you plan rest days, sleep, meals, and stress relief between exams.
🗓️ Key Dates & Notes for 2025 Matric Exams
Here are some of the most important dates and guidelines you should be aware of:
| Event | Date / Period | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pledge Signing | Friday, 17 October 2025 | All Grade 12 learners will participate in the NSC pledge. StudentRoom.co.za+2StudentRoom.co.za+2 |
| Life Orientation CAT | Monday, 1 September 2025 | Main assessment for LO. StudentRoom.co.za+1 |
| LO CAT Rewrite | Tuesday, 14 October 2025 | For learners who require a rewrite. StudentRoom.co.za+1 |
| Practical Exams for Arts / Design | 14 August – 24 October 2025 | For Performing Arts, Visual Arts, etc. Central News+3StudentRoom.co.za+3Careers Portal+3 |
| Main Examination Period | Tuesday, 21 October – Thursday, 27 November 2025 | The core written exams plus rewrites. ourpower.co.za+4StudentRoom.co.za+4StudentRoom.co.za+4 |
| Final Exam Day / Rewrites | Thursday, 27 November 2025 | CAT & IT practical rewrites scheduled. ourpower.co.za+3StudentRoom.co.za+3StudentRoom.co.za+3 |
A few extra tips you should keep in mind:
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Morning exam sessions generally start at 09:00. ourpower.co.za+2StudentRoom.co.za+2
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Afternoon sessions (if applicable) begin at 14:00. ourpower.co.za+2StudentRoom.co.za+2
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The timetable is broken into six weeks of exams. Central News+4StudentRoom.co.za+4ourpower.co.za+4
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On 20 October 2025, there is a non-examination day. ourpower.co.za+2StudentRoom.co.za+2
📝 2025 Matric Exam Timetable (Oct/Nov)
Below is a subject-by-subject schedule for the October/November 2025 exams. It shows which paper is written on which date, and at what time. Use it as your roadmap.
| Week | Date | 09:00 Session | 14:00 Session |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 (20–24 Oct) |
20 Oct | Non‑examination day | — |
| 21 Oct | Computer Applications Technology P1 (Practical) | Hindi / Gujarati / Tamil / Telugu / Urdu HL / FAL / SAL P1 (2 hrs each) | |
| 22 Oct | Information Technology P1 (Practical) | Arabic / French / Italian / Mandarin / Spanish / Modern Greek / Latin / Portuguese SAL & HL / FAL P1 (varied time) | |
| 23 Oct | English HL P3 (3 hrs) / English FAL / SAL P3 (2½ hrs) | Foreign Languages SAL P2 / Latin SAL P2 / Portuguese HL & FAL P2 / Equine Studies | |
| 24 Oct | Afrikaans HL / FAL / SAL P3 (3 / 2½ hrs) | Hindi / Gujarati / Urdu P2 / German HL / SAL P2 etc. | |
| Week 2 (27–31 Oct) |
27 Oct | isiZulu / isiXhosa / siSwati / isiNdebele HL / FAL / SAL P3 | Accounting P1 (2 hrs) |
| 28 Oct | Sepedi / Setswana / Xitsonga / Tshivenda HL / FAL / SAL P3 / South African Sign Language P3 | Civil Technology / Sport & Exercise Science (3 hrs) | |
| 29 Oct | English HL / FAL / SAL P1 (2 hrs) | Various language P3 papers (Hindi, Portuguese, German etc.) | |
| 30 Oct | History P1 (3 hrs) | Engineering Graphics & Design P1 (3 hrs) | |
| 31 Oct | Mathematics P1 / Mathematical Literacy P1 / Technical Mathematics P1 (3 hrs) | Religion Studies P1 (2 hrs) | |
| Week 3 (3–7 Nov) |
3 Nov | Mathematics P2 / Mathematical Literacy P2 / Technical Mathematics P2 (3 hrs) | Agricultural Sciences P1 (2½ hrs) |
| 4 Nov | Language HL / FAL / SAL P1 (various) | Accounting P2 (2 hrs) / Maritime Economics (3 hrs) | |
| 5 Nov | Language HL / FAL / SAL P1 (other group) | Religion Studies P2 / Mechanical Technology | |
| 6 Nov | Language HL / FAL P2 / SAL P2 | Business Studies P1 | |
| 7 Nov | Physical Sciences P1 / Technical Sciences P1 | History P2 | |
| Week 4 (10–14 Nov) |
10 Nov | Physical Sciences (Chemistry) P2 / Technical Sciences P2 | Visual Arts P1 / Nautical Science P1 |
| 11 Nov | Afrikaans HL / FAL / SAL P1 | Business Studies P2 | |
| 12 Nov | Geography (Climate & Weather / Geomorphology / Map Work) P1 | Computer Applications Technology P2 / Nautical Science P2 | |
| 13 Nov | English HL / FAL / SAL P2 | Information Technology P2 / Marine Sciences P1 | |
| 14 Nov | Life Sciences P1 | Electrical Technology (3 hrs) | |
| Week 5 (17–21 Nov) |
17 Nov | Life Sciences P2 | Dramatic Arts (3 hrs) |
| 18 Nov | Geography (Rural & Urban / Economic Geography / Map Work) P2 | Engineering Graphics & Design P2 | |
| 19 Nov | Economics P1 | Tourism (3 hrs) | |
| 20 Nov | Various language P2 (HL / FAL / SAL) | Agricultural Sciences P2 | |
| 21 Nov | Afrikaans HL / FAL / SAL P2 | Economics P2 (2 hrs) | |
| Week 6 (24–27 Nov) |
24 Nov | Agricultural Technology (3 hrs) | Music P1 / Design (3 hrs) / Music Practical |
| 25 Nov | Consumer Studies (3 hrs) | Hospitality Studies (3 hrs) / Dance P1 (3 hrs) | |
| 26 Nov | Agricultural Management Practices / Marine Sciences P2 | Music P2 Comprehension (1½ hrs) | |
| 27 Nov | CAT P1 Rewrite (Practical) / IT P1 Rewrite (Practical) | — |
Times and durations vary by subject and language. Always verify with your official exam center.
Source: Department of Basic Education / NSC Timetable 2025. Central News+4ourpower.co.za+4StudentRoom.co.za+4
💡 Tips for Students & Parents
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Print and stick the timetable somewhere visible (study desk, fridge, wall).
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Work backwards: For each subject, start studying well before its exam date.
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Leave buffer days before big exams (e.g. two days prior to Maths P2).
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Use the “non-exam day” (20 October) to rest or catch up on weak areas.
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Know your morning vs afternoon sessions — arrive 30 min early with all the required stationery and documents.
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Sleep and eat well — your brain works best when it’s fueled and rested.
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Practice past papers under timed conditions, especially for subjects like Maths, Physical Sciences, and Language papers.
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Stay updated with any changes via your school or DBE announcements.