If you're searching for "Matric time table 2026" or "Matric 2026 final exam timetable", you are in good hands. In this article, which uses the official Department of Basic Education (DBE) information for the NSC exam timetable 2026, you'll find an easy-to-scan list of dates, subjects, times and exam duration in one easy place. This is one to bookmark in your favourites. Before we start, you may be wondering, when do Matric exams start 2026? 13 October - let's go!
The 2026 Matric Exam Timetable
The table below is based directly on the official DBE NSC exam timetable 2026, published in February 2026.
Last checked: 7 September 2026. Dates and examination arrangements are subject to change by the Department of Basic Education. Check the official DBE timetable before each examination.
| DATE | 09:00 SESSION | 14:00 SESSION |
|---|---|---|
| 13 OCT | Computer Applications Technology P1 Practical, 3hrs; Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu HL/FAL/SAL P1, 2hrs; Hebrew SAL P1, 2hrs; German HL/FAL/SAL P1, 2hrs | |
| 14 OCT | Information Technology P1 Practical, 3hrs; Arabic, French, Italian, Mandarin, Modern Greek, Serbian, Spanish SAL P1, 2hrs; Latin SAL P1, 3hrs | Portuguese HL/FAL/SAL P1, 2hrs |
| 15 OCT | English HL P3, 3hrs; English FAL/SAL P3, 2½hrs; Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu HL P2, 2½hrs; FAL/SAL P2, 2hrs; Hebrew SAL P2, 2hrs; German HL P2, 2½hrs; FAL/SAL P2, 2hrs | |
| 16 OCT | Economics P1, 2hrs; Mechanical Technology, 3hrs; Design P1, 3hrs | |
| 19 OCT | isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati, isiNdebele HL P3, 3hrs; FAL/SAL P3, 2½hrs | Agricultural Sciences P1, 2½hrs |
| 20 OCT | Afrikaans HL/FAL/SAL P3, 3hrs/2½hrs/2½hrs | History P1, 3hrs; Maritime Economics, 3hrs |
| 21 OCT | Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga, Tshivenda HL P3, 3hrs; FAL/SAL P3, 2½hrs; South African Sign Language HL P3, 3hrs | Information Technology P2 Theory, 3hrs |
| 22 OCT | Accounting P1, 2hrs | Engineering Graphics and Design P1, 3hrs; Marine Sciences P1, 2½hrs |
| 23 OCT | Mathematics P1, 3hrs; Mathematical Literacy P1, 3hrs; Technical Mathematics P1, 3hrs | Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu HL/FAL P3, 2½hrs; Portuguese/German HL P3, 2½hrs; Portuguese/German FAL P3, 2½hrs |
| 26 OCT | Mathematics P2, 3hrs; Mathematical Literacy P2, 3hrs; Technical Mathematics P2, 3hrs | Sport and Exercise Science, 3hrs |
| 27 OCT | Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga, Tshivenda HL/FAL/SAL P1, 2hrs; South African Sign Language HL P1, 2hrs | Engineering Graphics and Design P2, 3hrs |
| 28 OCT | English HL/FAL/SAL P1, 2hrs | Accounting P2, 2hrs |
| 29 OCT | Geography (Climate and Weather, Geomorphology and Map Work) P1 (3hrs) Computer Applications Technology P2 Theory, 3hrs | |
| 30 OCT | Physical Sciences (Physics) P1, 3hrs; Technical Sciences P1, 3hrs | Tourism, 3hrs |
| 2 NOV | Physical Sciences P2, 3hrs; Technical Sciences P2, 1½hrs | Religion Studies P1, 2hrs |
| 3 NOV | Non-Examination Day | |
| 4 NOV | Non-Examination Day | |
| 5 NOV | Non-Examination Day | |
| 6 NOV | isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati, isiNdebele HL/FAL/SAL P1, 2hrs | Consumer Studies, 3hrs; Hospitality Studies, 3hrs |
| 9 NOV | Non-Examination Day | |
| 10 NOV | isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati, isiNdebele HL P2, 2½hrs; FAL P2, 2½hrs; SAL P2, 1½hrs | Electrical Technology, 3hrs; Nautical Science P1, 3hrs |
| 11 NOV | Afrikaans HL/FAL/SAL P1, 2hrs | Business Studies P1, 2hrs |
| 12 NOV | Geography P2, 3hrs | Religion Studies P2, 2hrs |
| 13 NOV | Life Sciences P1, 2½hrs | Arabic, French, Italian, Mandarin, Modern Greek, Serbian, Spanish SAL P2, 2hrs; Latin SAL P2, 2hrs; Portuguese HL P2, 2½hrs; FAL/SAL P2, 2hrs; Equine Studies, 3hrs |
| 16 NOV | Life Sciences P2, 2½hrs | Dramatic Arts, 3hrs; Civil Technology, 3hrs |
| 17 NOV | Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga, Tshivenda HL P2, 2½hrs; FAL P2, 2½hrs; SAL P2, 1½hrs; South African Sign Language HL P2, 2½hrs | Agricultural Sciences P2, 2½hrs; Nautical Science P2, 3hrs |
| 18 NOV | Business Studies P2, 2hrs | Visual Arts P1, 3hrs |
| 19 NOV | English HL P2, 2½hrs; English FAL P2, 2½hrs; English SAL P2, 1½hrs | History P2, 3hrs |
| 20 NOV | Afrikaans HL P2, 2½hrs; Afrikaans FAL P2, 2½hrs; Afrikaans SAL P2, 2½hrs | Economics P2, 2hrs |
| 23 NOV | Agricultural Technology, 3hrs | Music P1 Theory, 3hrs |
| 24 NOV | Agricultural Management Practices, 3hrs; Marine Sciences P2, 2½hrs | Dance Studies, 3hrs |
| 25 NOV | Music P2 Comprehension, 1½hrs | |
| 26 NOV | CAT P1 Rewrite Practical, 3hrs; IT P1 Rewrite Practical, 3hrs |
Note: The official DBE timetable extends to 27 November 2026, but no written paper is scheduled for that date.
If you are checking the NSC exam timetable 2026 for a specific subject, use the table above as your quick reference, then confirm the paper against the current official DBE document before travelling to your examination venue.
How to Read Your Timetable
The Matric final exam timetable 2026 becomes much easier to use when you break each entry into four things: date, session, paper and duration.
A 09:00 entry is a morning session and a 14:00 entry is an afternoon session. The duration shown in the DBE timetable is the writing time. For example, a paper marked “3hrs” has three hours of writing time.
Reading time is separate. The DBE advises candidates to use 10 minutes of reading time to read the instructions and questions carefully before beginning to write.
Do not simply copy the entire timetable into your study planner. Find your own subjects first, then create a personal timetable showing only the papers you will actually write. That personal version is much more useful than the full Matric time table 2026 because it shows exactly how many days you have between your own examinations. Double-check your dates and times!
What If Your Subjects Clash?
If two of your registered subjects appear to fall at the same time, don’t simply choose one or wait until examination day. Check the exact subject, paper, date and session first, then speak to your school or examination centre as soon as possible.
Some entries group several subjects together because they share the same session, while others are scheduled separately at 09:00 and 14:00. If two subjects you are registered for genuinely appear to clash, your school or examination centre can confirm the arrangements that apply to your registration.
Clashes are highly unusual and are another reason to use the official Matric 2026 final exam timetable rather than an old screenshot, social media post or unofficial timetable. The DBE is the examining authority for the timetable covered here.
NSC and IEB: Two Different Timetables
Remember that the NSC and IEB use separate examination timetables. The DBE publishes the timetable for its NSC examination system, while the Independent Examinations Board publishes its own timetable for candidates registered with the IEB.
If you attend an independent school, double-check which assessment body you are registered with if you are in any doubt. The IEB currently provides its 2026 Examination Timetable through its official website,
Do not assume that an IEB date matches a DBE date. If you search for Matric final exam timetable 2026, make sure you know which examination body your school uses before relying on the result.
| NSC | IEB |
|---|---|
| The National Senior Certificate is the qualification written by learners following the national NSC examination system. | The Independent Examinations Board (IEB) conducts NSC examinations for its accredited schools. |
| The Department of Basic Education publishes the national NSC examination timetable. | The IEB publishes its own examination timetable for IEB candidates. |
| The timetable in this article is the official DBE 2026 November NSC timetable. | IEB learners should use the official IEB timetable rather than the DBE timetable when checking their exam dates. |
| Learners should check their school or examination centre for any additional instructions. | IEB candidates should also follow information and instructions provided by their school and the IEB. |
So, which timetable should you use? If you attend a public school or another school following the DBE examination system, use the timetable above. If you are an IEB candidate, check the official IEB timetable instead.
Other Key Dates
The overall written examination window for the 2026 DBE NSC examinations is 13 October to 27 November 2026.
The main timetable does not provide a national “last teaching day” or a universal study leave date. Those arrangements can depend on your school and provincial education department, so check directly with your school rather than assuming that every Grade 12 learner follows the same calendar.
For supplementary and rewrite examinations, the old February/March supplementary examination has been phased out. The DBE now provides a May/June examination opportunity for eligible candidates to improve or complete results. Future opportunities depend on the candidate's status and the dates officially published by the Department.
The specific 2026 November NSC results release date was not available in the official DBE information checked for this article at the time of publication. It should therefore be treated as TBC and subject to confirmation by the Department of Basic Education.
You can also find out how to check your Matric results and what to do when they are released in our guide to results day.
Other Assessment DatesOutside Main Examination Schedule
The DBE timetable also includes several assessment and programme dates that fall outside the main written examination schedule. These include:
3 August – 9 October 2026
🎭 Performing Arts Practical Assessments
1 September 2026
📝 Life Orientation CAT
14 September – 13 October 2026
🎨 Visual Arts and Design Practical Assessments
9 October 2026
✍️ Pledge Signing
Grade 12 learners make a commitment to academic honesty and agree not to participate in examination dishonesty or irregularities.
12 October 2026
📝 Life Orientation CAT Rewrite
These dates apply to the relevant learners and activities and are separate from the main written examination papers listed in the table above
If you are planning ahead for another examination opportunity, our guide to the 2027 matric rewrite and upgrade options explains what you can do after receiving your results.
Planning Your Revision Around the Timetable
The best way to use the NSC exam timetable 2026 is to work backwards from your own papers. For instance, start by entering every subject and paper date into a calendar. Then count the available study days before each examination. Pay particular attention to subjects with short gaps between papers, because they may need earlier preparation.
If you have a large gap before a difficult subject, use it deliberately rather than filling every day with the subject that happens to come first.
Past papers are particularly useful once you know your dates. You can find reliable papers and learn how to use them effectively in our guide to matric past papers.
Build in Recovery Time Between Papers
When two exams fall close together, avoid planning your revision as though you have unlimited time between them. Look at the gaps in your personal timetable and decide which subjects need the most preparation before the exam period begins. A paper that takes place early in the week may need more attention now, while a subject with several days before its exam can be scheduled later.
Also remember to leave some breathing room. Once an exam is finished, give yourself a short break before moving on to the next subject. Eat properly, get enough sleep and avoid spending hours analysing every question you think you may have got wrong.
Your next paper deserves your attention, and protecting your energy is part of good exam preparation too.
On the Day
The DBE advises candidates to arrive at least one hour before the examination starts and to bring the necessary stationery, an ID document and examination admission letter. For subjects where a calculator is permitted, don't forget check the relevant subject requirements and make sure it has working batteries.
Take care not to take prohibited electronic devices or unauthorised materials into the examination room. Your school or examination centre should confirm the current rules that apply to your papers.
Use the 10 minutes of reading time properly. Read the instructions first, check the questions and then plan how you will use the available writing time. The DBE also advises learners to manage their time according to the marks allocated.
At this final sprint of your school career, remember that your final results can influence what happens next. You can read more about the marks you need for a Bachelor’s, Diploma or Higher Certificate in our guide to Matric pass requirements.
Official Sources: Last Checked 7 September 2026
- Department of Basic Education: Official 2026 November NSC examination timetable https://www.education.gov.za/Portals/0/Documents/Publications/2026/2026%20Nov%20NSC%20Timetable.pdf
- DBE NSC examination resources: Examination information, timetables and preparation guidance https://www.education.gov.za/tabid/338/Default.aspx
- Independent Examinations Board: Official 2026 IEB NSC examination timetable https://www.ieb.co.za/assessment/high-schools/national-senior-certificate/ieb-nsc-examination-timetables
- DBE examination preparation guidance: Advice on arrival times, stationery, reading time and exam day preparation https://www.education.gov.za/Curriculum/NationalSeniorCertificate%28NSC%29Examinations/Tipsforexampreparations.aspx
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