2022 matric mid-year exam crisis: here’s what you need to know

Rather than focusing solely on finals, matric pupils should place as much importance on their mid-year exams.

‘Matric pupils often look at the final National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams as the big one on which all attention should be focused, but that is only part of the story,’ says Nola Payne, senior head of programme at the Independent Institute of Education.

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As exams start this week, matric pupils are encouraged to also regard their mid-year exams important.‘In fact, matric mid-year exams have a unique significance in the big picture and should not be viewed as merely a trial run for final exams,’ says Payne.

Mid-year matric exams are categorised to be more demanding than the final NSC exams, and give insight to what they could expect later in the year.

‘The mid-year exams allow students to hone their skills, and identify gaps in their knowledge and understanding,’ says Payne.

She added that students writing mid-year exams should keep the following in mind:

1. Mid-year performance is important
‘Mid-year marks are important primarily for two reasons: firstly, because they contribute to a pupil’s year mark and secondly, because they can use these marks to gain provisional acceptance when they apply to a university.’
‘Learners who did well in Grade 11 can already use those marks to apply for higher education, but ultimately an institution will only give final admission based on final marks, and matric mid-year marks contribute to these,’ she explained

2. Mid-year performance is not the final word on future prospects
While mid-year marks are important, they are not the final whistle for learners.
‘It should be kept in mind that after the mid-years, there are still several months for pupils to throw everything at their studies and that, with focus and a concerted effort, learners can substantially improve performance towards the end of the year,’ she said.
‘With the help of teachers, tutors and school support systems, pupils can use mid-year performance to develop a framework for the rest of the year and ensure challenging and problematic areas are addressed.

3. Mid-year exams signal tertiary application deadlines are looming
Matrics are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as placement at higher education intuitions is now a competitive scene.
‘This is a really exciting time in the educational journey of students. Yes, it is challenging and the cause of much nervous excitement at times, but they are truly now putting the finishing touches on their school career as they prepare for the next part of their life,’ says Payne.
‘As the saying goes, we need to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time, and this holds true for matrics right now. You need to do your absolute best and focus right to the end during mid-year exams, but at the same time you need to constantly review your strategy and adjust your path as necessary.
‘You also need to consider how you are now walking towards your future, and put in place the building blocks to get there,’ she concludes.

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