Grade 12 past papers and memos (NSC)
11 920 official matric exam papers, memos and answer books for 65 subjects, from 2008 to 2026, in English and Afrikaans. The newest are the May/June 2026 papers. Free, with no sign-up: choose a year, search, or pick a subject.
Popular subjects
All subjects
- Accounting 287
- Agricultural Management Practices 126
- Agricultural Sciences 261
- Agricultural Technology 132
- Business Studies 193
- Civil Technology 263
- Computer Applications Technology 350
- Consumer Studies 127
- Dance Studies 125
- Design 150
- Dramatic Arts 122
- Economics 240
- Electrical Technology 257
- Engineering Graphics and Design 258
- Geography 314
- History 397
- Hospitality Studies 121
- Information Technology 328
- Life Orientation 32
- Life Sciences 298
- Marine Sciences 33
- Mathematical Literacy 336
- Mathematics 330
- Mechanical Technology 258
- Music 251
- Physical Sciences 259
- Religion Studies 278
- Technical Mathematics 109
- Technical Sciences 90
- Tourism 129
- Visual Arts 155
Languages
| Language | Home Language (HL) | First Additional (FAL) | Second Additional (SAL) |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | Home Language 203 | First Additional 214 | Second Additional 42 |
| Afrikaans | Home Language 205 | First Additional 200 | Second Additional 607 |
| isiNdebele | Home Language 195 | First Additional 177 | Second Additional 38 |
| isiXhosa | Home Language 188 | First Additional 195 | Second Additional 81 |
| isiZulu | Home Language 193 | First Additional 195 | Second Additional 39 |
| Sepedi | Home Language 205 | First Additional 191 | Second Additional 65 |
| Sesotho | Home Language 191 | First Additional 184 | Second Additional 79 |
| Setswana | Home Language 195 | First Additional 168 | Second Additional 15 |
| Siswati | Home Language 197 | First Additional 188 | Second Additional 8 |
| South African Sign Language | Home Language 92 | – | – |
| Tshivenda | Home Language 195 | First Additional 178 | Second Additional 6 |
| Xitsonga | Home Language 202 | First Additional 176 | Second Additional 4 |
Past papers by exam
| Year | Exams |
|---|---|
| 2026 | May/June 376 files |
| 2025 | November 429 files · May/June 384 files |
| 2024 | November 410 files · May/June 363 files |
| 2023 | November 414 files · May/June 373 files |
| 2022 | November 402 files · May/June 363 files |
| 2021 | November 409 files · May/June 364 files |
| 2020 | November 350 files |
| 2019 | November 396 files · May/June 354 files |
| 2018 | November 367 files · May/June 313 files · Feb/March 276 files · Exemplars (technical subjects) 61 files |
| 2017 | November 321 files · May/June 235 files · Feb/March 309 files |
| 2016 | November 317 files · May/June 240 files · Feb/March 296 files |
| 2015 | November 332 files · Feb/March 289 files |
| 2014 | November 339 files · Feb/March 319 files · Exemplars 92 files |
| 2013 | November 300 files · Feb/March 295 files |
| 2012 | November 317 files · Feb/March 298 files |
| 2011 | November 255 files · Feb/March 319 files |
| 2009 | November 312 files |
| 2008 | November 217 files |
Grade 10 and 11: Grade 10 common papers (2015–2018) · Grade 11 common papers (2015–2018)
Frequently asked questions
Where do these past papers come from?
Every paper and memo is an official Department of Basic Education (DBE) document. We index the 11 920 files the DBE has published for the National Senior Certificate since 2008, sorted by year, subject and exam, and link straight to the PDF on education.gov.za.
Are the memos included?
Yes. Each question paper is listed with its memorandum (marking guideline) right next to it. Some subjects also have answer books, addenda or data files you need to answer the paper; those are listed with the paper too.
Are there papers in Afrikaans?
Yes. Most subjects other than the languages are set in English and Afrikaans. On each year, exam and subject page you can show only the English or only the Afrikaans papers.
What is the difference between the November, May/June and Feb/March papers?
November is the main final exam. May/June papers are written by candidates who rewrite subjects or finish matric part-time, and the older Feb/March papers were supplementary exams. All of them follow the same curriculum, so they are all good practice.
How should I use past papers to study?
Write the paper under exam conditions and time yourself, then mark it with the memo. Note every question you lost marks on and why: a gap in the work, a calculation slip or misreading the question. Go back over those topics, then try the same paper from another year. Start with the latest papers, because they match the current exam format best.
Papers, memos and addenda are published by the Department of Basic Education (DBE). Each download link opens the official PDF on education.gov.za; SchoolsInfo doesn’t host the files. If a link has stopped working, let us know.