Matric marking is the process of evaluating and allocating grades to the National Senior Certificate (NSC) or matric exams in South Africa. The markers are selected from a qualified pool of teachers and professors to help mark thousands of matric exam papers.
Once grade 12 students complete their matric exams by 27 November 2025, they will all eagerly await their results. The results for the 2025 November matric exams will be announced on 12 January 2026 and available to students from 13 January 2026.
This article will provide a deep understanding of how matric marking is done, how marks are allocated, and the challenges markers face.
Table of Contents
What Is Matric Marking?
Matric marking refers to grading the matric exam papers at the end of the matric exams in South Africa. Since the score of the matric exam is a highly anticipated event, it follows a precise procedure. This helps to ensure that all students are marked across standard criteria.
Standardisation helps bring quality control into the marking of the matric papers and allows all students to be graded without bias. Additionally, marking is done by qualified teachers who demonstrate expertise in the subject they are marking.
How Is Matric Marking Done?
After the exams, all papers are collected and sent to the Provincial Education Departments (PDEs). The PDEs then distribute them to approved marking centres across the country.
The marking process takes place under strict security. Each paper is checked several times to ensure accuracy.
Here’s a simple outline of how matric marking works:
- Collection and Distribution – Exam papers are collected from centres and sent to PDEs. They are then distributed to marking centres.
- Marker Allocation – Qualified teachers are assigned to mark the subjects they teach.
- Memo Discussions – Before marking begins, all markers discuss the memo to understand how to award marks correctly.
- Marking and Moderation – Papers are marked according to the memo. Moderators recheck some papers to make sure the marking is consistent.
- Quality Assurance – The DBE and Umalusi review and verify marks to ensure fairness and standardisation.
This process helps ensure that all matric results are accurate and fair for every learner.
How are Marks Allocated?
The final grade 12 matric score combines the School Based Assessment (SBAs) and the final exam. The SBAs account for 25% of the grade, while the exam makes up 75%. The SBAs include assignments, projects, and tests done during the school year and marked internally.
Subjects in the matric exam vary in length, number of papers, and the total marks they are graded on. For example, consumer studies is three hours long and carries a maximum of 200 marks, whereas economics is spread across two papers, each of which is scored out of 150 marks.
Each marker is provided with a subject-specific memo that details the key points they need to search for when evaluating the exams. It helps to guide the markers on how to award marks and ensures there is no discrepancy in the marking.
Know Matric Exam Guidelines in detail!
What is Quality Assurance in Matric Marking?
In South Africa, DBE and other matric examination providers fall under Umalusi, which helps to maintain quality in the basic education sector. It also helps to develop frameworks that aim to improve the country’s education quality.
When marking the critical matric exams, Umalusi trains markers to adhere to the process. They are also provided with a detailed memo that lists the marking guidelines and includes the points that markers need to be grading. This helps to maintain the integrity of the matric exams and guarantees that all students are provided a fair chance.
Umalusi undertakes marking verification to apply consistent guidelines to all PED marking centres. It aims to standardise exam results and achieve a constant marking scheme across all centres. This also ensures students are awarded marks based on a benchmark matric marking scheme.
What is the Time Frame for Matric Marking?
The process for matric marking begins as soon as the last paper is completed. Exams are transported from the exam centres to the PED. From here, they are distributed to marking centres across the province.
Since the exams conclude on 27 November 2025, most of the marking will occur in December before the scores are forwarded to the DBE. Umalusi will conduct quality checks before the Minister of Basic Education, Ms Siviwe Gwarube, announces the results on 12 January 2026.
The results will be released to candidates on the following date and available on the DBE website. Students can collect the statement of results from their respective exam centres.
Re-Marking and Re-Checking of Matric Papers
The matric exam results determine the future education paths that students can embark upon based on the pass level they achieve. The matric exams have four pass levels: bachelor, diploma, higher certificate, and NSC pass.
Students must pass the matric exam to complete high school in South Africa. These are the requirements for ‘what is the pass mark for the matric’.
- Home Language: 40% or higher
- 2 subjects: 40% or higher
- 2 other subjects: 30% or higher
OR
- If students fail one subject, including the home language, 30% or higher is required for the 6 remaining subjects.
If students are unsatisfied with their overall martic score or that of a particular subject, they can request that their exam paper be re-marked on or re-checked.
Re-check Matric Papers
- Limited process
- Verifies all the marks were added correctly and no answer was missed
- Confirm marking and the total score
Cost: R30
Re-mark Matric Papers
- Complete reevaluation of the paper by a different examiner
- Possibility of marks being adjusted based on reexamination
- Should be opted if a student feels they were incorrectly marked
- Results will be released on 13 March 2026
Cost: R116–R120
Students can register for it at the school, district office, or online on the South African e-Services Portal. The application period for remarking or rechecking is open from 13 to 27 January 2026, and no late applications will be accepted.
Steps to register online:
- Open South African e-Services Portal
- Register with your ID and the One Time Password (OTP)
- Login with your username and password
- Select re-mark/re-check from the list of services
- Use the OTP to confirm
- Request re-mark or re-check for particular subjects
- Accept confirmation of details
Know how to prepare for Matric Exam here!
What are Some Common Challenges in Matric Marking?
Qualified teachers mark the matric exams and must adhere to a standard set of guidelines and memos prepared for each subject. However, mistakes can still occur in the matric marking process. This is why Umalusi employs quality control, and students have the option of requesting a re-check or re-mark of their matric papers.
These are some challenges that can arise during the marking:
- Time constraint: markers have a limited time in grading each paper so that they can complete marking all of them before the deadline. This can sometimes result in incorrect addition of marks or skipping a section.
- Changes in the guidelines: If the guidelines have been upgraded, the marker might have a tough time adjusting to the new grading criteria.
- Unable to understand the handwriting: Students can lose points if the marker cannot clearly read their handwriting. Therefore, students are urged to write neatly, begin each question on a new page, and label using the correct question numbers.
- Complexity of questions: Assessing answers based on subjective or open-ended questions might be challenging.
Conclusion
Matric marking is a critical part of the matric exams and is monitored diligently by Umalusi. This helps to guarantee that the markers follow strict guidelines and that all the papers are marked based on the memo for each subject.
Marking for the matric exams is done in a strict and confidential manner to ensure fairness and standardisation of the process. Markings undergo a quality check to ensure consistency across all provinces before they are released to the students.
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What is Matric Marking – FAQ
How to apply for matric marking?
You can apply through your Provincial Education Department (PDE) website or by submitting a matric marking application form when the DBE advertises marking vacancies, usually around mid-year.
When does matric marking start?
Matric marking generally starts in early December, right after the last exam is written at the end of November.
How long does matric marking take?
Matric marking usually takes about one month, depending on the number of scripts and the marking centre’s schedule.
When do matric marks come out?
Matric marks will be announced on 12 January 2026 by the Minister of Education and will be available to students from 13 January 2026.
What should students do if they are unhappy with their matric marking?
If students are dissatisfied with their scores, they can request a re-check or re-mark of their exam papers to ensure their results accurately reflect their performance.
What is the difference between re-check and re-mark?
A re-check verifies that marks were correctly totalled, while a re-mark involves a complete reevaluation of the paper by a different examiner.
How can students request a re-check or re-mark?
Students can register for a re-check or re-mark at their school, district office, or online through the South African e-Services Portal. The application will be open from January 13 to 27, 2026.
What are the requirements for marking matric exams?
To be eligible to mark, candidates must have a degree in education, have at least 5 years of teaching experience, with at least 2-3 years teaching the subject at grade 12 level.
