The 2026 matric examinations are underway, with nearly one million candidates across South Africa taking on one of the biggest milestones in their school journey. A total of 962,832 candidates have registered for this year’s National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams, making the Class of 2026 the largest group of full-time matric candidates to date.
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube confirmed the department’s readiness for the October and November examination period in Pretoria on Sunday, saying preparations had been completed to support learners across all nine provinces. She said candidates had received the necessary support, adding that she was happy to declare that “learners are ready for the 2026 NSC Exams.”
Of the candidates registered, 815,051 are writing full-time, an increase of 48,508 compared with last year. Another 147,781 are registered part-time, including people returning to improve their previous matric results.
The exams are being written at approximately 7,100 centres nationwide, requiring close coordination between national and provincial education departments. To help keep the process running smoothly, examination venues have been checked, while a risk-based monitoring system will direct extra attention and resources to areas where they are needed most.
The department has also focused on ensuring that the exams are fair and properly managed. All question papers and examination materials have been reviewed and approved by Umalusi, the body responsible for quality assurance in general and further education and training.
Once candidates have completed their papers, the marking process will involve 189 marking centres and 51,104 qualified educators. A consistent national marking system, strict quality checks and stronger moderation of school-based assessments will help ensure that results are reliable and that the credibility of the National Senior Certificate is protected.