Over 77,000 Matric Candidates in Western Cape Prepare for 2025 NSC Exams

As the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations approach, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has confirmed that 77,442 candidates are registered to write their final exams starting next week. This includes 67,606 full-time learners and 9,836 part-time or repeat candidates, according to Western Cape Education MEC David Maynier.

"We have 3,231 more full-time candidates writing than in 2024," said Maynier, indicating a positive increase in school retention and learner progression.

Key Exam Dates and Subjects

The exams officially begin on Tuesday, 21 October 2025, with 12,736 candidates sitting for the Computer Applications Technology (CAT) practical paper. A total of 112 individual papers will be administered across subjects by the time the exams conclude on 26 November 2025.

As in previous years, Mathematical Literacy has the highest enrolment, with 53,206 candidates writing Paper 1 on Friday, 31 October and Paper 2 on Monday, 3 November.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, only one candidate each is registered for Sesotho First Additional Language and Setswana Home Language in the province — a detail that reflects both language diversity and demographic representation within the system.

Exam Infrastructure and Support

The scale of this examination process is significant. Learners will write at 473 examination centres, where 2,046 trained invigilators have been appointed to ensure compliance with national protocols and academic integrity standards.

"Managing these exams is an enormous administrative task that requires careful coordination and professionalism at every level," said Maynier.

The department has also confirmed that marking will begin in December, involving the marking of 954,000 examination scripts by a panel of 4,190 trained markers. These efforts are part of a well-established provincial and national coordination system under the Department of Basic Education.

Final Push: Encouragement and Public Support

Maynier thanked teachers, principals, district officials, and WCED staff for their tireless efforts throughout the year to prepare learners for this final hurdle. He also called on the wider community to support matric candidates during this critical period.

"Our matrics and their teachers have put in a tremendous amount of work to prepare for these exams. We appeal to everyone in our province to put the best interests of our candidates first during the exam period."

He further expressed confidence in the Class of 2025's ability to succeed, encouraging candidates to stay focused during their final revision days.

"We wish our candidates all the best for the final days of preparation, and we look forward to celebrating with them when the results are released."

Broader Context and National Readiness

Nationally, the NSC examinations are coordinated by Umalusi, South Africa's council for quality assurance in general and further education. The council has repeatedly affirmed that systems are in place to ensure that all provinces meet the required standards for security, fairness, and efficiency.

The Western Cape, in particular, has long been commended for strong exam management systems, with high levels of compliance and minimal disruptions recorded in previous years.

The Department has also placed special focus on mental health support, exam stress management, and learner safety, recognising that many candidates face social and economic pressures during this period.

Looking Ahead

The 2025 NSC examination cycle is not only a significant milestone for learners but also a critical indicator of the province's educational resilience, especially as South Africa continues to rebuild from learning losses experienced during the pandemic years.

Successful completion of the NSC is the main gateway to tertiary study, further training, or employment opportunities for thousands of learners. The outcomes of this exam season will thus play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of skilled youth entering South Africa's workforce or higher education system.