Matric exam timetable 2026: every paper from 26 to 30 October

matric exam timetable for 26 - 30 Oct 2026 image

Key takeaway: The 2026 matric exam timetable for next week runs from Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October. Maths Paper 2 opens the week at 09:00 on Monday. English Paper 1 is on Wednesday 28 October, and Physical Sciences (Physics) Paper 1 is on Friday 30 October.

The main National Senior Certificate (NSC) exam timetable began on 13 October 2026. Next week is week 3. Papers start at 09:00 in the morning or 14:00 in the afternoon.

Not every paper is yours. Ask your school which papers you are writing.

Key dates: matric papers, 26 to 30 October 2026

Monday 26 October

09:00: Mathematics Paper 2 (3 hours)
09:00: Mathematical Literacy Paper 2 (3 hours)
09:00: Technical Mathematics Paper 2 (3 hours)
14:00: Sport and Exercise Science (3 hours)

Tuesday 27 October

09:00: Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Xitsonga and Tshivenda Paper 1. This covers home language, first additional language and second additional language (2 hours each)
14:00: Engineering Graphics and Design Paper 2 (3 hours)

Wednesday 28 October

09:00: English Paper 1. This covers home language, first additional language and second additional language (2 hours each)
14:00: Accounting Paper 2 (2 hours)

Thursday 29 October

09:00: Geography Paper 1: Climate and Weather, Geomorphology and Map Work (3 hours)
14:00: Computer Applications Technology Paper 2, Theory (3 hours)

Friday 30 October

09:00: Physical Sciences (Physics) Paper 1 (3 hours)
09:00: Technical Sciences Paper 1 (3 hours)
14:00: Tourism (3 hours)

What is on after this week?

The next papers are on Monday 2 November:

Physical Sciences (Chemistry) Paper 2 (3 hours)
Technical Sciences Paper 2 (1½ hours)
Religion Studies Paper 1 (2 hours)

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) timetable lists 3, 4 and 5 November as non-examination days. Use them to rest and revise.

The last papers are the Computer Applications Technology and Information Technology practical rewrites on 26 November 2026.

What to do now

Ask your school for your own timetable, with your subjects and sessions.
Write the date and time of each paper on one page. Stick it where you study.
Plan your revision backwards from Monday's paper.
Get enough sleep before each paper. A tired brain forgets things.

Timetables can change. If your school or the DBE announces a change, follow that.

Quick answers

What time do matric papers start? Papers start at 09:00 in the morning or 14:00 in the afternoon.
When is Maths Paper 2 in 2026? Monday 26 October 2026 at 09:00. It is a 3-hour paper.
When is English Paper 1 in 2026? Wednesday 28 October 2026 at 09:00. It is a 2-hour paper.
When is Physical Sciences Paper 1 in 2026? Friday 30 October 2026 at 09:00. It covers Physics and is a 3-hour paper. Chemistry (Paper 2) follows on Monday 2 November.