It is almost time for the matric examination session of 2026. For many of this year’s Grade 12 learners, this is an exciting last hurdle to pass in their school careers before entering adulthood, tertiary learning, or the job market. It is certainly a milestone to be proud of!
Being a responsible matric learner starts by knowing when your exams are scheduled for and creating a study timetable that helps you prioritize your learning. Hopefully, you have already been working hard throughout the year. Remember that 25% of your final matric mark comes from your work throughout your final year.
The remaining 75% will come from these final examinations. So make sure you thoroughly understand the timetable when you write your subjects and everything else required of you for extra peace of mind.
Full Matric Exam Timetable 2026
The class of 2026 will begin writing their matric examinations on Monday, 30 October 2026. The session opens with English paper 1 in the morning, and the German, Hebrew, Hindi, Gujarati, Tamal, Urdu, and Telugu Papers. They will continue until Tuesday, 5 December, ending with agricultural studies, dance, and music theory papers.
It is important to note, however, that the Life Orientation subject, as well as several practicals (IT, performing arts, visual/design arts, and CAT), will occur beforehand. Life Orientation practical is scheduled as early as 4 September, while CAT will be on 24 October, and IT on 25 October. The arts-focused practicals will happen over a period of time, with performing arts scheduled somewhere between 14 August and 13 October and the visual arts between 10 October and 23 October. You will be individually informed of what dates apply to you.
If you want to see the full matric exam timetable for 2026, click that link to be directed to the Department of Basic Education download. You should also receive your full schedule from your school or educational institution. Remember to consult this carefully, ask questions if you are unsure what papers apply to you, and carefully plan your studies. You don’t want to make a silly mistake and miss your chance to write!
Is Matric Rewrite Still Open For 2026?
For the class of 2026, who received their matric results in January 2026, the matric rewrite registration is now closed. There is one last matric rewrite session for the year, which will take place in October/November, but you need to register for this by the extended March 31 2026 deadline.
However, remember this is for learners who wrote their initial papers in 2026 or earlier. For those learners just about to take their matric exams
If you have missed the cut-off date for this year, don’t despair! Another opportunity to register will open again with the class of 2026’s results. Don’t confuse these dates with the upgraded matric option for learners older than 21, which is run by academic institutions and often allows enrollments throughout the year, although exams will occur in set exam periods.
How Long is a Matric Rewrite?
The earliest you can finish a matric rewrite is in 6 months. This happens when you register for the May/June examination session directly after the year you wrote matric in November/December (i.e., if you wrote in Oct/Nov/Dec 2026, you could rewrite in May/June 2026). If you need to brush up on a few of your poor-performing subjects simply, this is a great way to get back on track for your academic goals speedily.
However, it is important to address why you failed the subject(s) in the first place. If you need further time in a better learning environment to truly achieve your best, it is better to plan ahead for that than try to rush the result and risk another failure.
How Much Does Matric Rewrite Cost?
If you opt to self-register for a matric rewrite through the Department of Basic Education, you can register for a matric rewrite for free. There are also free classes offered throughout the year at the Department to help guide you through some of the material, location-dependent.
However, depending on the reasons for your academic underperformance, this alone may not be enough to help you achieve better results on your rewrite. If you need course material, more intensive classes, or a different learning environment, you have some options. You can either look for distance learning opportunities, register at a college offering matric rewrites, or return to school and repeat your final year. These opportunities will carry fees with them, however. Contact your educational institution of choice to see what these will be.
If you are a proud member of the class of 2026 and are already looking forward to the final exam session of your school career, we wish you much luck! And remember- even if you underperform on your matric, there are plenty of options to help you get better marks and shape your educational future your way. Study hard!
