2025 Matric exams: National marking starts Monday, results to be released 12 January

The 2025 National Senior Certificate exams officially wrapped up this week, with marking set to begin on Monday, 1 December.

The Department of Basic Education's Terence Khala says more than 52,000 markers will work across the country until 18 December to process the exam scripts.

"Behind every swipe of that red pen is a life looking to be furthered on the other side."

Khala commended teachers, officials and candidates for maintaining compliance and stability throughout what is considered the country’s largest standardised assessment.

He noted that community protests, incidents of gang violence in the Western Cape, criminal activity and the tragic suicide of a candidate had tested the examination system.

"The system has definitely shown its strength, and the preparation that we do from the beginning of the year really does show itself in a moment like this, where you're administering what is essentially the largest-scale examinations or standardised assessment across South Africa."

Once marking concludes, scripts will undergo quality assurance by Umalusi, including checks on paper difficulty and possible standardisation, particularly following concerns about Mathematics Paper 2.

"We did obviously note the public outcry from a lot of our candidates in terms of the difficulty of the paper."

Results are scheduled for ministerial release on 12 January 2026, with candidates receiving them on 13 January.

To listen to Khala in conversation with 702 and CapeTalk's Africa Melane, click below: