2023 Matric Exam Schedule: Full Timetable for National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Independent Examinations Board (IEB)

In anticipation of the highly awaited 2023 Matriculation Examinations, students, parents, and educators alike are eager to get a glimpse of what lies ahead. The comprehensive timetable for this critical academic milestone has now been unveiled, covering both the National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Independent Examinations Board (IEB) examinations. As this pivotal year approaches, this timetable serves as a vital roadmap, guiding students on their journey towards success in these significant assessments. In this article, we will explore the key details of the 2023 Matriculation Examination Schedule, providing insight into the dates and expectations that will shape the academic future of countless young individuals.

More than 920 000 candidates are scheduled to write their matric exams this year, according to quality assurance body Umalusi.

Umalusi said the candidates would write at more almost 6 340 public schools and more than 550 private centres.

Good luck to ALL matriculants tackling their final exams this year!

NOTE

The dates below are correct at the time of publishing, but may change. Keep an eye out for updates from the Department of Education or your school.

National Senior Certificate (NSC) matric exam dates and timetable 2023

Key:

Home Language = HL
First Additional Language = FAL
Second Additional Language = SAL

Monday, 30 October 

Paper 1

• English Home Language (HL, FAL)
• Hebrew Second Additional Language (SAL)
• German (HL)
• German (SAL)

Tuesday, 31 October

Paper 1

• Economics
• Arabic (HL, FAL, SAL)
• French (HL, FAL, SAL)
• Italian (HL, FAL, SAL)
• Mandarin (HL, FAL, SAL)
• Modern Greek (HL, FAL, SAL)
• Serbian (HL, FAL, SAL)
• Spanish (HL, FAL, SAL)
• Latin (SAL)
• Portuguese (HL, FAL, SAL)

Wednesday, 1 November

Paper 1

• Afrikaans (HL, FAL, SAL)

Paper 2

• Hindi (HL, FAL, SAL)
• Gujarati (HL, FAL, SAL)
• Tamil (HL, FAL, SAL)
• Telegu (HL, FAL, SAL)
• Urdu (HL, FAL, SAL)
• Hebrew (SAL) 
• German (HL, SAL)

Thursday, 2 November

Paper 1

• History
• Engineering Graphics and Design

Friday, 3 November

Paper 1

• Mathematics
• Mathematical Literacy
• Technical Mathematics

Paper 2

• Arabic (SAL)
• French (SAL)
• Italian (SAL)
• Mandarin (SAL)
• Modern Greek (SAL)
• Serbian (SAL)
• Spanish (SAL)
• Latin (SAL)
• Portuguese (HL, FAL, SAL)
• Equine Studies

Monday, 6 November 

Paper 2

• Mathematics 
• Mathematical Literacy
• Technical Mathematics

Paper 3

• Hindi (HL, FAL)
• Gujarati (HL, FAL)
• Tamil (HL, FAL)
• Telegu (HL, FAL)
• Urdu (HL, FAL)
• German (HL)
• Portuguese (HL, FAL)

Tuesday, 7 November

Paper 1

• isiZulu (HL, FAL, SAL)
• isiXhosa (HL, FAL, SAL)
• Siswati (HL, FAL, SAL)
• isiNbedele (HL, FAL, SAL)
• South African Sign Language (HL)

Paper 2

• Economics

Wednesday, 8 November

Paper 2

• History
• Information Technology

Thursday, 9 November

Paper 1

• Sepedi (HL, FAL, SAL)
• Sesotho (HL, FAL, SAL)
• Setswana (HL, FAL, SAL)
• Xitsonga (HL, FAL, SAL)
• Tshivenda (HL, FAL, SAL)

Paper 2

• Computer Applications Technology (theory)

Friday, 10 November

Paper 1

• Physical Sciences
• Technical Sciences
• Business Studies

Monday, 13 November 

Paper 2

• Physical Sciences (Chemistry)
• Technical Sciences
• Business Studies

Tuesday, 14 November

Paper 1

• Geography (Climate and Weather, Geomorphology and Mapwork)
• Dramatic Arts

Wednesday, 15 November

Paper 2

• English (HL, FAL, SAL)
• Engineering Graphics and Design

Thursday, 16 November

Paper 1

• Accounting
• Civil Technology
• Maritime Economics

Friday, 17 November

Paper 1

• Life Sciences
• Visual Arts

Monday, 20 November 

Paper 2

• Life Sciences
• Electrical Technology

Tuesday, 21 November

Paper 2

• Sepedi (HL, FAL, SAL)
• Sesotho (HL, FAL, SAL)
• Setswana (HL, FAL, SAL)
• Xitsonga (HL, FAL, SAL)
• Tshivenda (HL, FAL, SAL)
• Geography (Rural and Urban Settlement, Economic Geomorphology of South Africa and Mapwork)

Wednesday, 22 November

Paper 1

• Religion Studies
• Marine Sciences

Paper 2

• isiZulu (HL, FAL, SAL)
• isiXhosa (HL, FAL, SAL)
• Siswati (HL, FAL, SAL)
• isiNbedele (HL, FAL, SAL)
• South African Sign Language (HL)

Thursday, 23 November

Paper 2

• Afrikaans (HL, FAL, SAL)
• Tourism
• Nautical Science

Friday, 24 November

Paper 1

• Agricultural Sciences

Paper 2

• Accounting

Monday, 27 November 

Paper 2

• Agricultural Science
• Natural Science

Paper 3

• isiZulu (HL, FAL, SAL)
• isiXhosa (HL, FAL, SAL)
• Siswati (HL, FAL, SAL)
• isiNbedele (HL, FAL, SAL)

Tuesday, 28 November

Paper 1

• Mechanical Technology
• Sport and Exercise Science

Paper 3

• Sepedi (HL, FAL, SAL)
• Sesotho (HL, FAL, SAL)
• Setswana (HL, FAL, SAL)
• Xitsonga (HL, FAL, SAL)
• Tshivenda (HL, FAL, SAL)
• South African Sign Language (HL)

Wednesday, 29 November

Paper 2

• Religion Studies
• Marine Science

Paper 3

• English (HL, FAL, SAL)

Thursday, 30 November

• Consumer Studies
• Hospitality Studies
• Design

Friday, 1 December

Paper 3

• Afrikaans (HL, FAL, SAL)
• Agricultural Management Practices

Monday, 4 December 

Paper 1

• Music Theory

Paper 2

• Music Comprehension

Tuesday, 5 December

• Dance Studies
• Agricultural Technology

Wednesday, 6 December

Rewrite

• Computer Application Technology (CAT) Practical
• Information Technology (IT) Practical

IEB matric exam dates 2023

The IEB matric exam dates differ from the NSC matric exam dates as Grade 12 students have already begun writing their final exams, having started on Tuesday, 12 September.

IEB exams will conclude on Tuesday, 28 November.

For everything you need to know regarding the IEB matric timetable, visit the IEB website or grab a copy at your school.

If you have any questions or need more information, learners are encouraged to reach out to the Independent Schools Association of South Africa (ISASA) at (011) 648 1331.