Matric exams pause for the election. Your timetable for 2 to 13 November
Matrics write Physical Sciences P2 on 2 November, then get three exam-free days around the 4 November elections. Here is every paper from 2 to 13 November.
Matric candidates write only one day of exams next week. After Physical Sciences Paper 2 on Monday, 2 November, the Department of Basic Education timetable has no papers on Tuesday 3, Wednesday 4 or Thursday 5 November, the days around the 4 November local government elections. Writing resumes on Friday, 6 November, and Monday, 9 November is also a break.
Morning papers start at 09:00 and afternoon papers at 14:00 (DBE).
What are matrics writing from 2 to 13 November?
| Day | 09:00 | 14:00 |
|---|---|---|
| Mon 2 Nov | Physical Sciences P2 Chemistry (3 hrs), Technical Sciences P2 (1½ hrs) | Religion Studies P1 (2 hrs) |
| Tue 3 Nov | No exams | No exams |
| Wed 4 Nov | No exams (election day) | No exams |
| Thu 5 Nov | No exams | No exams |
| Fri 6 Nov | isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati, isiNdebele P1 (HL, FAL and SAL, 2 hrs) | Consumer Studies (3 hrs), Hospitality Studies (3 hrs) |
| Mon 9 Nov | No exams | No exams |
| Tue 10 Nov | isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati, isiNdebele P2 (HL and FAL 2½ hrs, SAL 1½ hrs) | Electrical Technology (3 hrs), Nautical Science P1 (3 hrs) |
| Wed 11 Nov | Afrikaans P1 (HL, FAL and SAL, 2 hrs) | Business Studies P1 (2 hrs) |
| Thu 12 Nov | Geography P2: settlements, economic geography of SA and map work (3 hrs) | Religion Studies P2 (2 hrs) |
| Fri 13 Nov | Life Sciences P1 (2½ hrs) | Foreign language SAL P2 (Arabic, French, Italian, Mandarin, Modern Greek, Serbian, Spanish, Latin), Portuguese P2, Equine Studies (3 hrs) |
Source: DBE October/November 2026 NSC timetable.
Why is there a break around the election?
Umalusi, the body that quality-assures the exams, had the timetable changed because the 4 November vote falls inside the exam period, the same step taken for the 2021 local elections, The Citizen reports. Umalusi CEO Mafu Rakometsi said at an 8 October briefing that political activity and community protests could disrupt exams, and many schools double as voting stations (The Citizen).
Umalusi has asked political and community leaders, principals, teachers and parents to keep campaign activity away from schools being used as exam centres (The Citizen).
What should matric candidates do with the break?
Check your own subject list against the table, since the official timetable is the only one that counts. Life Sciences P2 follows on Monday, 16 November, and English HL P2 on Thursday, 19 November (DBE).
If you are 18 or older and registered to vote, the 4 November gap means voting does not clash with a paper. Exam queries go to your school or district office first. The DBE's national exams directorate is on 012 357 3900 (DBE).
FAQ
Are there matric exams on election day, 4 November 2026?
No. The DBE timetable lists Tuesday 3, Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 November 2026 as non-examination days. Exams resume on Friday, 6 November.
When is Physical Sciences Paper 2 in 2026?
Physical Sciences P2 (Chemistry) is written on Monday, 2 November 2026 at 09:00 and runs for three hours, according to the DBE timetable.
Is there a matric exam on Monday, 9 November 2026?
No. The DBE timetable lists Monday, 9 November as a non-examination day. Writing continues on Tuesday, 10 November.
When is Life Sciences Paper 1 in 2026?
Life Sciences P1 is on Friday, 13 November 2026 at 09:00 (2½ hours). Paper 2 follows on Monday, 16 November.