May/June Matric Exam Timetable

The Matriculation examinations, also known as the Senior Certificate (SC) or National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, are a significant milestone for South African learners. For 2025, these exams will take place from May 12 to June 27. The May/June matric exam timetable outlines the dates, subjects, and times for each exam session. It’s essential for students, parents, and educators to be familiar with the timetable to ensure proper preparation.

This guide will provide an overview of the 2025 Matric timetable, exam details, tips for effective preparation, and a breakdown of the schedule.

Overview of the May/June 2025 Matric Exam Timetable

The timetable is broken down into six weeks, with a total of 36 days of exams. The exams will be conducted in two daily sessions: morning (9:00 AM) and afternoon (2:00 PM). The timetable features a diverse range of subjects, including languages, mathematics, physical sciences, history, and more.

Below is a summary of the key exam dates and subjects:

Week 1 (12 May – 16 May)

• Monday, 12 May:
  • Languages: Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telegu, Urdu HL Paper 1, FAL Paper 1, SAL Paper 1.
  • English HL, FAL, SAL Paper 3.
• Tuesday, 13 May:
  • Portuguese, German HL Paper 1.
  • Information Technology Paper 2 Theory.
• Wednesday, 14 May:
  • Afrikaans HL, FAL, SAL Paper 3.
• Thursday, 15 May:
  • South African Sign Language HL Paper 3.
  • Sepedi, isiZulu, Xhosa HL Paper 3.
  • Mathematics Paper 1, Mathematical Literacy Paper 1.
• Friday, 16 May:
  • Portuguese, German HL Paper 2.
  • Technical Mathematics Paper 1.

Week 2 (19 May – 23 May)

• Monday, 19 May:
  • Mandarin SAL Paper 2, Mathematics Paper 2, Technical Mathematics Paper 2.
• Tuesday, 20 May:
  • Engineering Graphics and Design Paper 1.
  • Accounting Paper 1.
• Wednesday, 21 May:
  • Computer Applications Technology Paper 2 Theory.
  • Religion Studies Paper 2.
• Thursday, 22 May:
  • Civil Technology, Sport and Exercise Science.
• Friday, 23 May:
  • Information Technology Paper 1 Practical.
  • Physical Sciences Paper 1.

Week 3 (26 May – 30 May)

• Monday, 26 May:
  • Dance Studies, Physical Sciences Paper 2.
• Wednesday, 28 May:
  • Engineering Graphics and Design Paper 2.
  • Geography Paper 1.
• Friday, 30 May:
  • Marine Sciences Paper 1, Mechanical Technology.

Week 4 (02 June – 06 June)

• Monday, 02 June: Religious Holiday (no exams).
• Tuesday, 03 June:
  • Electrical Technology, Life Sciences Paper 2.
• Wednesday, 04 June:
  • Design Paper 1, Accounting Paper 2.
• Thursday, 05 June:
  • Maritime Economics, Equine Studies.
• Friday, 06 June:
  • Consumer Studies, Hospitality Studies.

Week 5 (09 June – 13 June)

• Monday, 09 June:
  • Dramatic Arts, Geography Paper 2.
• Tuesday, 10 June:
  • Afrikaans HL, FAL, SAL Paper 2.
• Wednesday, 11 June:
  • South African Sign Language HL Paper 2.
  • isiZulu, isiXhosa HL Paper 2.
• Thursday, 12 June:
  • Visual Arts Paper 1, English HL Paper 2.
• Friday, 13 June:
  • Agricultural Management Practices, Business Studies Paper 2.

Week 6 (16 June – 20 June)

• Monday, 16 June: Youth Day (no exams).
• Wednesday, 18 June:
  • Marine Sciences Paper 2, History Paper 1.
• Friday, 20 June:
  • Music Paper 1 Theory, Economics Paper 1.

Week 7 (23 June – 27 June)

• Monday, 23 June:
  • Music Paper 2 Comprehension, History Paper 2.
• Tuesday, 24 June:
  • Economics Paper 2.
• Wednesday, 25 June:
  • CAT Paper 1 rewrite, IT Paper 1 rewrite, Agricultural Sciences Paper 2.
• Friday, 27 June: Schools Close (end of exams).

Subject Breakdown

The Matric exam schedule includes a variety of subjects across different categories. Here are some of the major subject groups and their corresponding papers:

Languages

• Home Languages (HL): Includes Afrikaans, English, isiZulu, and other languages.
• First Additional Languages (FAL): Such as French, German, and Portuguese.
• Second Additional Languages (SAL): A variety of languages, including South African languages and others like Latin.

Mathematics and Sciences

• Mathematics: The traditional Mathematics Paper 1 and Paper 2 are scheduled in the early weeks.
• Mathematical Literacy: A popular alternative for learners not taking the full Mathematics course.
• Physical Sciences: Includes both Physics and Chemistry, with separate papers for each.
• Life Sciences: Divided into Paper 1 and Paper 2.
• Technical Mathematics: Specific for learners who take technical subjects.

Commerce and Social Sciences

• Accounting, Business Studies, and Economics: These subjects cover a range of theory and practical-based exams.
• History: Divided into two parts, focusing on different eras and historical events.

Practical Subjects

Subjects like Design, Visual Arts, and Computer Applications Technology include practical components that are scheduled in addition to the theoretical exams. For example, the Information Technology Practical Exam is held on May 23 and May 25.

Other Subjects

Subjects like Engineering Graphics and Design, Agricultural Sciences, and Tourism focus on specific skill sets. Sport and Exercise Science and Hospitality Studies also form part of the timetable.

Read more: 10 Study Tips Every Student Needs for Academic Success

Tips for Matric Exam Preparation

1. Time Management:
   • With a detailed timetable, create a study schedule. Prioritize subjects based on the difficulty level and exam date.
   • Take breaks and avoid last-minute cramming.
2. Subject-Specific Preparation:
   • Mathematics and Sciences: Practice past papers to become familiar with the format and types of questions.
   • Languages: Focus on literature, comprehension, and grammar.
   • Practical Subjects: Review the theoretical concepts and practice using your materials.
3. Past Papers: Practice as many past papers as you can, especially for subjects like Mathematics, Accounting, and Physical Sciences. They will help you become familiar with the exam pattern.
4. Group Study: For some subjects, like History or Languages, consider studying with peers to share insights and challenge each other’s understanding.
5. Stay Healthy: A healthy body supports a healthy mind. Get adequate sleep, eat well, and exercise to reduce stress.

Read more: University of the Free State 2026 Application Dates

The 2025 Matric exams are just around the corner, and preparation is key to success. Familiarize yourself with the exam dates and subjects, develop a study plan, and ensure that you have all the necessary materials to perform well. With hard work and discipline, you will be well-equipped to tackle this important milestone.

Good luck to all students taking the Matric exams in May and June 2025!