NSC Publish The 2026 Grade 12 November Final Matric Examination Timetable for Eastern Cape ,Free State,Gauteng,KwaZulu-Natal,Limpopo,Mpumalanga,Northern Cape,North West,Western Cape Students.
What is an NSC?
The National Senior Certificate (NSC) is a required test that all grade 12 students in South Africa must appear for to complete their education. Students are graded on compulsory subjects, including 2 languages, mathematics or mathematics literacy, and life orientation.
October/November 2026 National Senior Certificate (NSC) Examinations Timetable
Below is the complete timetable from the uploaded PDF, arranged in tables with the examination date, 09:00 session, 14:00 session, and duration.
Week1
| Date | 09:00 Examination | 14:00 Examination |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, 12 October 2026 | — | — |
| Tuesday, 13 October 2026 | Computer Applications Technology (CAT) P1 Practical – 3 hours | Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu HL P1 – 2 hours; FAL P1 – 2 hours; SAL P1 – 2 hours; Hebrew SAL P1 – 2 hours; German HL/FAL/SAL P1 – 2 hours |
| Wednesday, 14 October 2026 | Information Technology P1 Practical – 3 hours | Arabic, French, Italian, Mandarin, Modern Greek, Serbian, Spanish SAL P1 – 2 hours; Latin SAL P1 – 3 hours; Portuguese HL/FAL/SAL P1 – 2 hours |
| Thursday, 15 October 2026 | English HL P3 – 3 hours; English FAL P3 – 2½ hours; English SAL P3 – 2½ hours | Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu HL P2 – 2½ hours; FAL P2 – 2 hours; SAL P2 – 2 hours; Hebrew SAL P2 – 2 hours; German HL P2 – 2½ hours; FAL P2 – 2 hours; SAL P2 – 2 hours |
| Friday, 16 October 2026 | Economics P1 – 2 hours; Mechanical Technology – 3 hours; Design P1 – 3 hours | — |
Week 2
| Date | 09:00 Examination | 14:00 Examination |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, 19 October 2026 | isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati, isiNdebele HL P3 – 3 hours; FAL P3 – 2½ hours; SAL P3 – 2½ hours | Agricultural Sciences P1 – 2½ hours |
| Tuesday, 20 October 2026 | Afrikaans HL P3 – 3 hours; FAL P3 – 2½ hours; SAL P3 – 2 hours | History P1 – 3 hours; Maritime Economics – 3 hours |
| Wednesday, 21 October 2026 | Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga, Tshivenda HL P3 – 3 hours; FAL P3 – 2½ hours; SAL P3 – 2 hours; South African Sign Language HL P3 – 3 hours | Information Technology P2 Theory – 3 hours |
| Thursday, 22 October 2026 | Accounting P1 – 2 hours | Engineering Graphics and Design P1 – 3 hours; Marine Sciences P1 – 2½ hours |
| Friday, 23 October 2026 | Mathematics P1 – 3 hours; Mathematical Literacy P1 – 3 hours; Technical Mathematics P1 – 3 hours | Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu HL P3 – 2½ hours; FAL P3 – 2½ hours; Portuguese, German HL P3 – 2½ hours; Portuguese, German FAL P3 – 2½ hours |
Week 3
| Date | 09:00 Examination | 14:00 Examination |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, 26 October 2026 | Mathematics P2 – 3 hours; Mathematical Literacy P2 – 3 hours; Technical Mathematics P2 – 3 hours | Sport and Exercise Science – 3 hours |
| Tuesday, 27 October 2026 | Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga, Tshivenda HL P1 – 2 hours; FAL P1 – 2 hours; SAL P1 – 2 hours; South African Sign Language HL P1 – 2 hours | Engineering Graphics and Design P2 – 3 hours |
| Wednesday, 28 October 2026 | English HL P1 – 2 hours; English FAL P1 – 2 hours; English SAL P1 – 2 hours | Accounting P2 – 2 hours |
| Thursday, 29 October 2026 | Geography (Climate and Weather, Geomorphology and Map Work) P1 – 3 hours | Computer Applications Technology P2 Theory – 3 hours |
| Friday, 30 October 2026 | Physical Sciences (Physics) P1 – 3 hours; Technical Sciences P1 – 3 hours; Tourism – 3 hours | — |
Week 4
| Date | 09:00 Examination | 14:00 Examination |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, 2 November 2026 | Physical Sciences (Chemistry) P2 – 3 hours; Technical Sciences P2 – 1½ hours | Religion Studies P1 – 2 hours |
| Tuesday, 3 November 2026 | NON-EXAMINATION DAY | NON-EXAMINATION DAY |
| Wednesday, 4 November 2026 | NON-EXAMINATION DAY | NON-EXAMINATION DAY |
| Thursday, 5 November 2026 | NON-EXAMINATION DAY | NON-EXAMINATION DAY |
| Friday, 6 November 2026 | isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati, isiNdebele HL P1 – 2 hours; FAL P1 – 2 hours; SAL P1 – 2 hours | Consumer Studies – 3 hours; Hospitality Studies – 3 hours |
Week 5
| Date | 09:00 Examination | 14:00 Examination |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, 9 November 2026 | NON-EXAMINATION DAY | NON-EXAMINATION DAY |
| Tuesday, 10 November 2026 | isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati, isiNdebele HL P2 – 2½ hours; FAL P2 – 2½ hours; SAL P2 – 1½ hours | Electrical Technology – 3 hours; Nautical Science P1 – 3 hours |
| Wednesday, 11 November 2026 | Afrikaans HL P1 – 2 hours; FAL P1 – 2 hours; SAL P1 – 2 hours | Business Studies P1 – 2 hours |
| Thursday, 12 November 2026 | Geography (Rural and Urban Settlements, Economic Geography of SA and Map Work) P2 – 3 hours | Religion Studies P2 – 2 hours |
| Friday, 13 November 2026 | Life Sciences P1 – 2½ hours | Arabic, French, Italian, Mandarin, Modern Greek, Serbian, Spanish SAL P2 – 2 hours; Latin SAL P2 – 2 hours; Portuguese HL P2 – 2½ hours; FAL/SAL P2 – 2 hours; Equine Studies – 3 hours |
Week 6
| Date | 09:00 Examination | 14:00 Examination |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, 16 November 2026 | Life Sciences P2 – 2½ hours | Dramatic Arts – 3 hours; Civil Technology – 3 hours |
| Tuesday, 17 November 2026 | Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga, Tshivenda HL P2 – 2½ hours; FAL P2 – 2½ hours; SAL P2 – 1½ hours; South African Sign Language HL P2 – 2½ hours | Agricultural Sciences P2 – 2½ hours; Nautical Science P2 – 3 hours |
| Wednesday, 18 November 2026 | Business Studies P2 – 2 hours | Visual Arts P1 – 3 hours |
| Thursday, 19 November 2026 | English HL P2 – 2½ hours; English FAL P2 – 2½ hours; English SAL P2 – 1½ hours | History P2 – 3 hours |
| Friday, 20 November 2026 | Afrikaans HL P2 – 2½ hours; Afrikaans FAL P2 – 2½ hours; Afrikaans SAL P2 – 1½ hours | Economics P2 – 2 hours |
Week 7
| Date | 09:00 Examination | 14:00 Examination |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, 23 November 2026 | Agricultural Technology – 3 hours | Music P1 Theory – 3 hours |
| Tuesday, 24 November 2026 | Agricultural Management Practices – 3 hours | Marine Sciences P2 – 2½ hours; Dance Studies – 3 hours |
| Wednesday, 25 November 2026 | Music P2 Comprehension – 1½ hours | — |
| Thursday, 26 November 2026 | CAT P1 Rewrite Practical – 3 hours; IT P1 Rewrite Practical – 3 hours | — |
| Friday, 27 November 2026 | 09:00 | — |
The timetable also lists the following important additional assessment dates:
| Activity | Date/Period |
|---|---|
| Life Orientation (LO CAT) | Tuesday, 1 September 2026 |
| Performing Arts Practical | 3 August – 9 October 2026 |
| Visual Arts and Design Practical | 14 September – 13 October 2026 |
| Pledge Signing | Friday, 9 October 2026 |
| Life Orientation (LO CAT) Rewrite | Monday, 12 October 2026 |
Download Matric Timetable 2026 PDF
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When does the Grade 12 November 2026 final examination start?
The 2026 October/November NSC examination timetable starts on 12 October 2026.
Where can I download the Grade 12 November Exam Timetable 2026 PDF?
You can download the official PDF from the Department of Basic Education website using the official timetable link provided above.
Who publishes the 2026 Grade 12 NSC timetable?
The timetable is published by the South African Department of Basic Education (DBE).
What does NSC stand for in the Grade 12 examinations?
NSC stands for National Senior Certificate.
When will Grade 12 Mathematics Paper 1 be written in 2026?
Mathematics Paper 1 is scheduled for 23 October 2026 at 09:00.
When will Grade 12 Mathematics Paper 2 be written in 2026?
Mathematics Paper 2 is scheduled for 26 October 2026 at 09:00.
How long is the Grade 12 Mathematics examination?
The Mathematics Paper 1 and Paper 2 sessions listed in the timetable have a duration of three hours.
When will Grade 12 Physical Sciences Paper 1 be written?
Physical Sciences Physics Paper 1 is scheduled for 30 October 2026 at 09:00.
When will Grade 12 Physical Sciences Paper 2 be written?
Physical Sciences Chemistry Paper 2 is scheduled for 2 November 2026 at 09:00.
When will Grade 12 Accounting Paper 1 be written?
Accounting Paper 1 is scheduled for 22 October 2026 at 09:00.
When will Grade 12 Accounting Paper 2 be written?
Accounting Paper 2 is scheduled for 28 October 2026 at 14:00.
When will Grade 12 Geography Paper 1 be written?
Geography Paper 1 is scheduled for 29 October 2026 at 09:00.
When will Grade 12 English Paper 1 be written?
English HL, FAL and SAL Paper 1 are scheduled for 28 October 2026 at 09:00.
When will Grade 12 English Paper 3 be written?
English HL, FAL and SAL Paper 3 are scheduled for 15 October 2026 at 09:00.
Are all Grade 12 learners required to write every subject in the timetable?
No. Learners write the subjects for which they are registered.
Are the 2026 November NSC exams held in October and November?
Yes. The official examination document is titled the October/November 2026 National Senior Certificate examinations timetable.
What time do Grade 12 NSC examinations start?
The timetable contains examination sessions beginning at either 09:00 or 14:00, depending on the subject and paper.
Can I print the Grade 12 November 2026 examination timetable?
Yes. Because the official timetable is available as a PDF, learners can download and print it for personal use.
Can I use the 2026 NSC timetable to create a study plan?
Yes. The examination dates can be used to organise revision and prioritise subjects according to their examination dates.
Where can I find Grade 12 past examination papers?
The DBE provides previous NSC examination papers through its official examination resources.
What should I do if I cannot find my subject on the timetable?
Check the complete official PDF carefully, including all pages and sessions. If you still cannot find the subject, contact your school or relevant examination official for clarification.
Should I rely on unofficial Grade 12 timetable posts?
It is better to verify examination dates against the official DBE timetable because unofficial websites and social-media posts may contain outdated or incorrect information.
Has the Department of Basic Education published the 2026 November NSC timetable?
Yes. The DBE publications page lists the 2026 November NSC Examination Timetable, and the official PDF is available for download.
Where can I get the latest official information about the Grade 12 NSC examinations?
The Department of Basic Education’s NSC examinations section provides the official examination timetable and other Grade 12 examination resources.
