Matric learners across South Africa can begin final preparations after the Department of Basic Education confirmed that the 2026 final exams will start in mid-October and run through to late November.

The Department of Basic Education confirmed when final exams will begin, with practicals kicking off the exam period.

The timetable, released earlier this year, closely mirrors previous years, with only minor adjustments to the structure and scheduling of certain subjects.

Language Paper 3 exams across all official languages are also scheduled early in the exam period, giving learners the opportunity to complete these components before moving on to other major subjects.

Core subjects such as Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Accounting and Life Sciences are spread out across several weeks, allowing learners time to prepare between papers.

The exam period will run until late November, with rewrite opportunities for certain practical subjects scheduled toward the end of the timetable.

The Department of Basic Education has urged learners to use the confirmed timetable to structure their revision plans and ensure they are fully prepared for the final stretch of the academic year.

Here is the timetable:

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