The 2023 matric exams are just around the corner, bringing a mix of excitement and stress for learners as they approach the end of their school journey.
These exams are the final hurdle before a well-deserved holiday.
For students aspiring to pursue further studies at a college or university, whether in South Africa or abroad, it’s essential to focus on their studies during this period.
To alleviate the stress, The South African website has compiled a list of all the important dates for the 2023 National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Independent Exam Board (IEB) exams.
The NSC exams are set to commence on Monday, 30 October and conclude on Wednesday, 6 December.
Quality assurance body Umalusi reported that over 920,000 candidates are slated to write their matric exams this year.
These candidates will be taking their exams at nearly 6,340 public schools and more than 550 private centers.
Best of luck to all matriculants as they prepare for their final exams this year!
Please note that the dates provided are accurate at the time of publishing, but they may be subject to change. Stay updated with any announcements from the Department of Education or your school.
Key:
Home Language = HL
First Additional Language = FAL
Second Additional Language = SAL
MONDAY, 30 OCTOBER
Paper 1
- English Home Language (HL, FAL)
- Hebrew Second Additional Language (SAL)
- German (HL)
- German (SAL)
TUESDAY, 31 OCTOBER
Paper 1
- Economics
- Arabic (HL, FAL, SAL)
- French (HL, FAL, SAL)
- Italian (HL, FAL, SAL)
- Mandarin (HL, FAL, SAL)
- Modern Greek (HL, FAL, SAL)
- Serbian (HL, FAL, SAL)
- Spanish (HL, FAL, SAL)
- Latin (SAL)
- Portuguese (HL, FAL, SAL)
WEDNESDAY, 1 NOVEMBER
Paper 1
Paper 2
- Hindi (HL, FAL, SAL)
- Gujarati (HL, FAL, SAL)
- Tamil (HL, FAL, SAL)
- Telegu (HL, FAL, SAL)
- Urdu (HL, FAL, SAL)
- Hebrew (SAL)
- German (HL, SAL)
THURSDAY, 2 NOVEMBER
Paper 1
- History
- Engineering Graphics and Design
FRIDAY, 3 NOVEMBER
Paper 1
- Mathematics
- Mathematical Literacy
- Technical Mathematics
Paper 2
- Arabic (SAL)
- French (SAL)
- Italian (SAL)
- Mandarin (SAL)
- Modern Greek (SAL)
- Serbian (SAL)
- Spanish (SAL)
- Latin (SAL)
- Portuguese (HL, FAL, SAL)
- Equine Studies
MONDAY, 6 NOVEMBER
Paper 2
- Mathematics
- Mathematical Literacy
- Technical Mathematics
Paper 3
- Hindi (HL, FAL)
- Gujarati (HL, FAL)
- Tamil (HL, FAL)
- Telegu (HL, FAL)
- Urdu (HL, FAL)
- German (HL)
- Portuguese (HL, FAL)
TUESDAY, 7 NOVEMBER
Paper 1
- isiZulu (HL, FAL, SAL)
- isiXhosa (HL, FAL, SAL)
- Siswati (HL, FAL, SAL)
- isiNbedele (HL, FAL, SAL)
- South African Sign Language (HL)
Paper 2
WEDNESDAY, 8 NOVEMBER
Paper 2
- History
- Information Technology
THURSDAY, 9 NOVEMBER
Paper 1
- Sepedi (HL, FAL, SAL)
- Sesotho (HL, FAL, SAL)
- Setswana (HL, FAL, SAL)
- Xitsonga (HL, FAL, SAL)
- Tshivenda (HL, FAL, SAL)
Paper 2
- Computer Applications Technology (theory)
FRIDAY, 10 NOVEMBER
Paper 1
- Physical Sciences
- Technical Sciences
- Business Studies
MONDAY, 13 NOVEMBER
Paper 2
- Physical Sciences (Chemistry)
- Technical Sciences
- Business Studies
TUESDAY, 14 NOVEMBER
Paper 1
- Geography (Climate and Weather, Geomorphology and Mapwork)
- Dramatic Arts
WEDNESDAY, 15 NOVEMBER
Paper 2
- English (HL, FAL, SAL)
- Engineering Graphics and Design
THURSDAY, 16 NOVEMBER
Paper 1
- Accounting
- Civil Technology
- Maritime Economics
FRIDAY, 17 NOVEMBER
Paper 1
- Life Sciences
- Visual Arts
MONDAY, 20 NOVEMBER
Paper 2
- Life Sciences
- Electrical Technology
TUESDAY, 21 NOVEMBER
Paper 2
- Sepedi (HL, FAL, SAL)
- Sesotho (HL, FAL, SAL)
- Setswana (HL, FAL, SAL)
- Xitsonga (HL, FAL, SAL)
- Tshivenda (HL, FAL, SAL)
- Geography (Rural and Urban Settlement, Economic Geomorphology of South Africa and Mapwork)
WEDNESDAY, 22 NOVEMBER
Paper 1
- Religion Studies
- Marine Sciences
Paper 2
- isiZulu (HL, FAL, SAL)
- isiXhosa (HL, FAL, SAL)
- Siswati (HL, FAL, SAL)
- isiNbedele (HL, FAL, SAL)
- South African Sign Language (HL)
THURSDAY, 23 NOVEMBER
Paper 2
- Afrikaans (HL, FAL, SAL)
- Tourism
- Nautical Science
FRIDAY, 24 NOVEMBER
Paper 1
Paper 2
MONDAY, 27 NOVEMBER
Paper 2
- Agricultural Science
- Natural Science
Paper 3
- isiZulu (HL, FAL, SAL)
- isiXhosa (HL, FAL, SAL)
- Siswati (HL, FAL, SAL)
- isiNbedele (HL, FAL, SAL)
TUESDAY, 28 NOVEMBER
Paper 1
- Mechanical Technology
- Sport and Exercise Science
Paper 3
- Sepedi (HL, FAL, SAL)
- Sesotho (HL, FAL, SAL)
- Setswana (HL, FAL, SAL)
- Xitsonga (HL, FAL, SAL)
- Tshivenda (HL, FAL, SAL)
- South African Sign Language (HL)
WEDNESDAY, 29 NOVEMBER
Paper 2
- Religion Studies
- Marine Science
Paper 3
THURSDAY, 30 NOVEMBER
- Consumer Studies
- Hospitality Studies
- Design
FRIDAY, 1 DECEMBER
Paper 3
- Afrikaans (HL, FAL, SAL)
- Agricultural Management Practices
MONDAY, 4 DECEMBER
Paper 1
Paper 2
TUESDAY, 5 DECEMBER
- Dance Studies
- Agricultural Technology
WEDNESDAY, 6 DECEMBER
Rewrite
- Computer Application Technology (CAT) Practical
- Information Technology (IT) Practical
IEB MATRIC EXAM DATES 2023
The IEB matric exam dates differ from the NSC matric exam dates as Grade 12 students have already begun writing their final exams, having started on Tuesday, 12 September.
IEB exams will conclude on Tuesday, 28 November.
For everything you need to know regarding the IEB matric timetable, visit the IEB website or grab a copy at your school.
If you have any questions or need more information, learners are encouraged to reach out to the Independent Schools Association of South Africa (ISASA) at (011) 648 1331.
