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Matric 2017 final exams: Everything you need to know

In eleven days, the South African matric class of 2017 will commence its final exams. Preparations are already underway across the country and there are a number of apsects parents and pupils need to bear in mind before and during the exam period.

Dates

The first exams starts on Monday, 23rd October with foreign languages being written at 9am and 2pm.

The last exams will be written on 28th November with Agricultural Management Practices at 9am and Design at 2pm.

You can find the full exam timetable, here.

Previous exam papers

Anyone who has passed matric since the first national exams were written under a democratic South Africa will tell you that, in most cases, questions which appear in the previous year’s exam papers tend to pop again (with minor changes) the following year.

So, going through past exam papers (you’ll want to use the most recent year’s editions) can go a long way in helping you know what to expect and to test yourself.

You can find last year’s papers, here.

Help is at hand

The Department of Basic Education has provided a number of study guides to help you in your preparations. You can download study guides and a tips guide.

Minimum requirement for a pass

For one to pass their matric and get a National Senior Certificate (NSC) they must achieve 40% in three subjects, one of which is an official language at Home Language level and 30% in three subjects.

A supplementary examination may be granted should you fail, provided you meet specific criteria. For further details on who qualifies to register for the supplementary exams and options for those who do not qualify, please click here.

How many marks will get you into university

Not all successful pupils will get to apply at a local university. It all depends on how many marks you achieve.

You will qualify for the one of the following:

  • Higher Certificate The minimum admission requirement is an NSC with a minimum of 30% in the language of learning and teaching of the higher education institution as certified by Umalusi, the Quality Assurance Council. Institutional and programme needs may require additional combinations or recognised NSC subjects and levels of achievement 15
  • Diploma The minimum admission requirement is the NSC with a minimum of 30% in the language of learning and teaching of the higher education institution as certified by Umalusi, coupled with an achievement rating of THREE (moderate achievement, 40% – 49%) or better in four recognised 20-credit subjects listed from the designated list. Institution and programme needs may require additional combinations of recognised NSC subjects and levels of achievement
  • Bachelor’s Degree To meet the minimum admission requirements to a Bachelor’s Degree study at a higher education institution, a candidate must obtain, apart from the NSC, an achievement rating of four (Adequate Achievement, 50% – 59%) or better in four designated subjects: Accounting, Information Technology, Agricultural Sciences, Languages, Business Studies, Life Sciences, Consumer Studies, Mathematics, Dramatic Arts, Mathematical Literacy, Economics, Music, Engineering Graphics and Design, Physical Sciences, Geography, Religion Studies, History, Visual Arts

Exam results announcement

Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, will announce the matric pass rate on 4th January 2018.

There are 636 814 registered full-time and 161 475 part-time candidates in the 2017 examinations, 37 000 less than 2016 in terms of full-time enrollment.

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