Grade 9 national tests start 10 November. What your child will write

Grade 9 learners at schools taking part in the General Education Certificate (GEC) will write national tests from Tuesday, 10 November to Friday, 20 November 2026, according to the Department of Basic Education's 2026 GEC subject assessment guidelines. Almost 7,000 schools are in the programme this year, its second year of implementation, the department says.

The OECD published a review of the certificate on 26 October, saying the tests give South Africa a chance to measure all learners against one national standard and to target help at those who are falling behind.

What is the General Education Certificate?

It is a new national qualification at the end of Grade 9, when compulsory schooling ends. The OECD describes it as a full picture of a learner's results, abilities and readiness to move on to Grades 10 to 12 or to a TVET college.

It has three main parts, according to the OECD and the DBE:

• Curriculum tests set nationally in key subjects.
• An integrated project that assesses skills such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication.
• An inclinations assessment meant to help learners see which study or career path suits them.

When are the Grade 9 GEC tests in 2026?

The DBE timetable is:

• Tue 10 November: English Home Language (09:00 to 11:30) and SA Sign Language (09:00 to 12:00)
• Wed 11 November: Afrikaans Home Language (09:00 to 11:30)
• Thu 12 November: All African Home Languages (09:00 to 11:30)
• Fri 13 November: Mathematics Paper 1 (09:00 to 11:30)
• Mon 16 November: Mathematics Paper 2 (09:00 to 11:30)
• Tue 17 November: Economic and Management Sciences Paper 1 (09:00 to 11:00)
• Wed 18 November: All First Additional Languages (09:00 to 11:30)
• Thu 19 November: Natural Sciences (09:00 to 11:00)
• Fri 20 November: Economic and Management Sciences Paper 2 (09:00 to 11:00)

Schools must fit their other internal exams around these dates. The same subjects are available for Deaf and Blind learners.

What do the tests look like?

No more than 60% of each test is multiple choice, the guidelines say. Maths and Economic and Management Sciences have two papers each. Schools run and invigilate the tests themselves under exam conditions. Home Language and First Additional Language papers are set in all 11 official written languages.

Is my child's school taking part?

Probably, but not certainly. The DBE said in April that seven provinces had reached full implementation, including Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal, where every school is on board. Ask your child's school if you're not sure.

Will every learner get a certificate?

That's the plan, but the rules are still being written. A DBE policy presentation from April 2026 says all learners should get a GEC at the end of Grade 9, in academic, vocational or occupational versions. Learners with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities at schools of skill would get an occupational certificate instead. The final policy still has to go to the DBE, Umalusi, the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations and the minister for approval.

What did the OECD recommend?

The OECD review backs using the national tests to keep standards high and to spot learners who need support. It also says the inclinations assessment will only help if learners can actually choose accessible technical and vocational options in Grades 10 to 12.