Maths P2 on Monday: the matric exam timetable for 26 to 30 October

Matric candidates start week three of the 2026 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams on Monday, 26 October, with Mathematics Paper 2, Mathematical Literacy Paper 2 and Technical Mathematics Paper 2, according to the Department of Basic Education timetable. English Paper 1 follows on Wednesday and Physical Sciences Paper 1 on Friday.

Morning papers start at 09:00 and afternoon papers at 14:00, per the DBE timetable.

What are matrics writing from 26 to 30 October?

All times and durations are from the official DBE timetable:

• Monday 26 October, 09:00: Mathematics P2, Mathematical Literacy P2, Technical Mathematics P2 (3 hours each). 14:00: Sport and Exercise Science (3 hours).
• Tuesday 27 October, 09:00: Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga and Tshivenda P1 (Home, First and Second Additional Language, 2 hours each), South African Sign Language HL P1 (2 hours). 14:00: Engineering Graphics and Design P2 (3 hours).
• Wednesday 28 October, 09:00: English HL, FAL and SAL P1 (2 hours). 14:00: Accounting P2 (2 hours).
• Thursday 29 October, 09:00: Geography P1, covering climate and weather, geomorphology and map work (3 hours). 14:00: Computer Applications Technology P2 Theory (3 hours).
• Friday 30 October, 09:00: Physical Sciences P1 (Physics) and Technical Sciences P1 (3 hours each). 14:00: Tourism (3 hours).

What comes after that?

Physical Sciences P2 (Chemistry) is on Monday, 2 November at 09:00, with Technical Sciences P2 (1½ hours) in the same session and Religion Studies P1 at 14:00. The timetable then lists Tuesday 3, Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 November as non-examination days. Writing resumes on Friday, 6 November with isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati and isiNdebele P1 in the morning and Consumer Studies and Hospitality Studies in the afternoon (DBE).

The exams started on 13 October and the last paper is written on 26 November (DBE).

When do matric results come out?

The Western Cape Education Department says results will be released on Tuesday, 12 January 2027 from 10:00, at schools and on the WCED website (WCED). Its closing date for remarks and rechecks is Monday, 25 January 2027, at R130 per subject for a remark and R40 for a recheck in that province (WCED). Other provinces publish their own arrangements.

Where can you check your own timetable?

Use the national DBE timetable PDF or your province's version, and confirm with your school, since your exam centre has your final entries. In the Western Cape, the exam helpline is 0861 819 919 (option 2), weekdays from 07:30 to 15:30 (WCED).