The promotional requirements for Grade 10 and Grade 11 learners in the 2026/2027 academic year are important guidelines that determine whether learners progress to the next grade. These requirements are set by the Department of Basic Education and apply to public schools across the country.
Minimum Promotion Requirements for Grade 10 and 11
To be promoted to the next grade, learners must achieve the following minimum levels:
| Subject Requirement | Minimum Achievement |
|---|---|
| Home Language | 40% |
| First Additional Language | 40% |
| Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy | 30% |
| Life Orientation | 40% |
| Other Subjects | At least 40% in two subjects and 30% in the remaining subjects |
WEIGHTING FOR GRADES 10 AND 11
The current 25% weighting of School Based Assessment (SBA) is increased to 60% and the examination component which is currently 75% is decreased to 40% resulting in a 60:40 weighting as opposed to the current 25:75 weighting;
In the case of subjects with a practical component, allocate 20% of the examination component to the PAT;
In the case of languages, 12.5% of the examination component (First additional Language and Home Language) and 25% (Second Additional Language) should be allocated to Orals;
EXAMINATIONS REPLACED BY CONTROLLED TESTS
The full-scale examinations in Grade 10 and 11 will be replaced by a controlled test;
Controlled tests should only be set on content taught, content not taught cannot be assessed;
The controlled test to cover a substantial portion of the curriculum taught (preferably work covered in all terms, wherever possible);
The controlled test must adhere to a prescribed standard in terms of content coverage and must be administered under controlled conditions;
The cognitive spread of the controlled test must adhere to the determinations of each subject as outlined in the Abridged Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement, Section 4;
All controlled tests must adhere to the protocols for pre and post moderation to ensure compliance with standards;
Fundamental subjects (Languages, Mathematics/Mathematical Literacy) will offer the required number of papers with a reduced duration;
All elective subjects to reduce the number of papers to papers to one controlled test per subject;
DURATION OF CONTROLLED TESTS
The duration of the Grade 11 controlled tests will be two hours, containing components of both papers, where applicable, while the duration of the Grade 10 controlled tests will be one hour, containing components of both papers, where applicable;
No common examinations/tests to be administered in Grade 10 and 11;
National Subject Committees will outline the composition of the 60% SBA and the 40% controlled tests, in terms of components and marks.
