The 2023 matric exam dates are here! This time of the year can bring a mix of excitement and stress as you near the end of your high school journey. The final exams are the only things standing between you and the finish line.
With those matric exams just around the corner, it’s crucial to buckle down and study hard if you’re aiming for your dream college or university.
To make your matric finals journey a bit smoother, we’ve rounded up all the dates for the National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Independent Exam Board (IEB) exams.
It’s important to note that these dates may change, so keep an eye out for updates from the Department of Education or your school.
Table of Contents
2023 National Matric Exam Dates
Good news! The Department of Education has revealed the dates for the 2023 matric exams. Get ready because the exams are set to start on Monday, 30 October 2023, and end on Wednesday, 6 December 2023.
Certain exams like Life Orientation (LO) and the practical ones for subjects like Computer Application Technology (CAT), Information Technology (IT), Performing Arts, and Visual Arts and Design will happen earlier in the year. Be sure to mark those calendars and get ready to excel!
You can view the NSC matric final exam timetable for 2023 below:
2023 Matric Exam Dates
Matric Exam Dates: Week 1
Key:
Home Language = HL
First Additional Language = FAL
Second Additional Language = SAL
Monday, 30 October 2023
Paper 1
- English Home Language (HL, FAL)
- Hebrew Second Additional Language (SAL)
- German (HL)
- German (SAL)
Tuesday, 31 October 2023
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 2023
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 2023
Paper 1
- History
- Engineering Graphics and Design
Friday, 3 November 2023
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
Matric Exam Dates: Week 3
Key:
Home Language = HL
First Additional Language = FAL
Second Additional Language = SAL
Monday, 13 November 2023
Paper 2
- Physical Sciences (Chemistry)
- Technical Sciences
- Business Studies
Tuesday, 14 November 2023
Paper 1
- Geography (Climate and Weather, Geomorphology and Mapwork)
- Dramatic Arts
Wednesday, 15 November 2023
Paper 2
- English (HL, FAL, SAL)
- Engineering Graphics and Design
Thursday, 16 November 2023
Paper 1
- Accounting
- Civil Technology
- Maritime Economics
Friday, 17 November 2023
Paper 1
- Life Sciences
- Visual Arts
Matric Exam Dates: Week 5
Key:
Home Language = HL
First Additional Language = FAL
Second Additional Language = SAL
Monday, 27 November 2023
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 2023
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 2023
Paper 2
- Religion Studies
- Marine Science
Paper 3
- English (HL, FAL, SAL)
Thursday, 30 November 2023
- Consumer Studies
- Hospitality Studies
- Design
Friday, 1 December 2023
Paper 3
- Afrikaans (HL, FAL, SAL)
- Agricultural Management Practices
Matric Exam Dates: Week 2
Key:
Home Language = HL
First Additional Language = FAL
Second Additional Language = SAL
Monday, 6 November 2023
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 2023
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 2023
Paper 2
- History
- Information Technology
Thursday, 9 November 2023
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 2023
Paper 1
- Physical Sciences
- Technical Sciences
- Business Studies
Matric Exam Dates: Week 4
Key:
Home Language = HL
First Additional Language = FAL
Second Additional Language = SAL
Monday, 20 November 2023
Paper 2
- Life Sciences
- Electrical Technology
Tuesday, 21 November 2023
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 2023
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 2023
Paper 2
- Afrikaans (HL, FAL, SAL)
- Tourism
- Nautical Science
Friday, 24 November 2023
Paper 1
- Agricultural Sciences
Paper 2
- Accounting
Matric Exam Dates: Week 6
Monday, 4 December 2023
Paper 1
- Music Theory
Paper 2
- Music Comprehension
Tuesday, 5 December 2023
- Dance Studies
- Agricultural Technology
Wednesday, 6 December 2023
Rewrite
- Computer Application Technology (CAT) Practical
- Information Technology (IT) Practical
2023 IEB Matric Exam Dates
The IEB matric exam dates are a bit different compared to the NSC matric exam dates. Grade 12 students kicked off their final exams earlier, starting on Tuesday, 12 September 2023, and are wrapping things up on Tuesday, 28 November 2023.
To get the complete lowdown on the IEB matric timetable, you can hop over to the IEB website or grab a copy at your school. If you have any questions or need more information, you can reach out to the Independent Schools Association of South Africa (ISASA) at 011 648 1331.
Start preparing for exams and life after school!
In the upcoming months, it’s time to start mapping out your path after matric. If you’re planning to pursue higher education, it’s essential to keep a close eye on your matric results and select the right tertiary institution for your goals. And if you require financial assistance, we’ve got you covered!
Are you considering applying for a student loan? Give our Fundi loan calculator a spin to check if you meet all the necessary criteria.
Best of luck to all the matrics tackling their final exams this year!
