Grade 12 May/June 2026 NSC Exam Timetable Released – Check All Exam Dates
The Department of Basic Education of the Republic of South Africa has officially released the Grade 12 May/June 2026 Senior Certificate (SC) and National Senior Certificate (NSC) Examination Timetable, providing candidates with the complete schedule for the upcoming examination period.
The Grade 12 May/June 2026 NSC Exam Timetable outlines all examination dates, subject papers, and session times that candidates will follow during the national assessment period. According to the official schedule, the examinations will run from Monday, 11 May 2026, until late June 2026, with daily sessions taking place at 09:00 in the morning and 14:00 in the afternoon.
Thousands of Grade 12 candidates preparing to complete or improve their Senior Certificate results will rely on this timetable to organize their study schedules and prepare for each subject examination. Education authorities advise learners to review the timetable carefully to confirm the exact dates for their subjects and ensure they are fully prepared before the examinations begin.
Official Grade 12 May/June 2026 NSC Exam Timetable
Overview of the May/June 2026 NSC Examination Schedule
The official timetable shows that the examination period spans seven weeks, covering a wide range of subjects including languages, mathematics, sciences, commerce, and technical studies.
Examinations are conducted in two daily sessions, allowing candidates to sit for multiple subjects across different days during the examination period.
Some subjects are marked with an asterisk (*), which indicates papers that Senior Certificate candidates are allowed to write during this examination cycle.
Week 1: Opening of the Examination Period
The examination period begins on Monday, 11 May 2026, with several language examinations including Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu Home Language Paper 1. The afternoon session on the same day includes English Home Language Paper 3, English First Additional Language Paper 3, and English Second Additional Language Paper 3.
On Tuesday, 12 May, candidates will write Portuguese and German Paper 1, while History Paper 1 is scheduled for the afternoon session.
Additional language papers continue on Wednesday, 13 May, followed by Afrikaans Paper 3 later in the day.
The first week also includes South African Sign Language Home Language Paper 3, Mandarin Second Additional Language Paper 1, and several indigenous language papers.
The week concludes on Friday, 15 May, when candidates write Mathematics Paper 1, Mathematical Literacy Paper 1, and Technical Mathematics Paper 1, which are among the key examinations during the first week.
Week 2: Mathematics, Accounting and Technology Subjects
The second week begins on Monday, 18 May, with examinations including Computer Applications Technology Paper 2 Theory in the morning and Mathematics Paper 2, Mathematical Literacy Paper 2, and Technical Mathematics Paper 2 in the afternoon session.
On Tuesday, 19 May, candidates will write Engineering Graphics and Design Paper 1, followed by Accounting Paper 1.
Midweek examinations include several language papers and History Paper 2, while Sport and Exercise Science and Civil Technology are scheduled for Thursday, 21 May.
The week ends with Information Technology Paper 2 Theory, Physical Sciences (Physics) Paper 1, and Technical Sciences Paper 1.
Week 3: Science and Technical Examinations
Week three begins on Monday, 25 May, with Dance Studies and Physical Sciences (Chemistry) Paper 2.
On Tuesday, 26 May, candidates will write Computer Applications Technology Practical and Economics Paper 1.
Wednesday, 27 May has been designated as a non-examination day, allowing students time to prepare for upcoming subjects.
Examinations resume on Thursday, 28 May, with Engineering Graphics and Design Paper 2 and Geography Paper 1.
The week concludes on Friday, 29 May, with Marine Sciences Paper 1, Mechanical Technology, and Life Sciences Paper 1.
Week 4 and Week 5: Major Subject Papers Continue
During the first week of June, examinations include subjects such as Design Paper 1, Life Sciences Paper 2, Accounting Paper 2, and English Paper 1.
Other important subjects scheduled during this period include:
- Business Studies
- Geography Paper 2
- Tourism
- Visual Arts
- Dramatic Arts
- Maritime Economics
- Equine Studies
These examinations continue throughout the second week of June, covering both theory and practical components for several subjects.
Final Weeks of the Examination Period
Later examinations include subjects such as Agricultural Technology, Economics Paper 2, Marine Sciences Paper 2, and Agricultural Sciences.
The timetable also indicates two important calendar events:
- Monday, 15 June – Non-Examination Day
- Tuesday, 16 June – Youth Day
The final examination papers include Religion Studies, Agricultural Management Practices, and Music examinations.
Practical rewrite sessions for Computer Applications Technology and Information Technology are scheduled for 24 June 2026, marking the closing stages of the examination period.
According to the timetable, schools will officially close on Friday, 26 June 2026.
Important Notice for Candidates: The Department of Basic Education notes that Senior Certificate candidates are permitted to sit only for subjects marked with an asterisk (*) in the timetable. Candidates are therefore encouraged to verify their subject entries carefully and prepare accordingly for the scheduled examinations.
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