Matric Supplementary Exams — Second Chance NSC Examinations
If you did not pass the NSC in November 2026, or if you want to improve your marks, you can write supplementary (second chance) examinations in February and March 2027. The supplementary exams use the same NSC standard as the November exams and are administered by the DBE through provincial education departments. This guide explains who qualifies, how to register, and how to prepare.
Who Qualifies for Supplementary Exams?
- Learners who wrote the NSC November 2026 exams and did not achieve a passing standard.
- Learners who passed but want to improve their marks to qualify for a higher pass level (e.g. from Diploma to Bachelor's).
- Learners who were absent for a paper due to a documented emergency (subject to provincial approval).
- You may rewrite a maximum of 6 subjects in supplementary exams.
- You may not rewrite Life Orientation — it is assessed through SBA and cannot be rewritten externally.
How to Register for Supplementary Exams
- Collect your November 2026 results statement from your school or provincial education office.
- Identify which subjects you want to rewrite or improve.
- Obtain a supplementary exam registration form from your school or provincial education department.
- Complete the form and submit it with the required documents: ID copy, results statement, and a passport photo.
- Pay the registration fee (amount varies by province — typically R120–R180 per subject).
- Submit your registration by the deadline — usually in January (approximately 2–3 weeks after results are released).
Supplementary Exam Dates
NSC supplementary exams are typically held in February and March each year. For the November 2026 session, supplementary exams are expected in February–March 2027.
The DBE publishes the supplementary examination timetable at education.gov.za alongside or shortly after the November results. Check this site in January 2027 for the confirmed timetable.
How to Prepare for Supplementary Exams
- Request your marked scripts (re-mark or access to scripts) to identify exactly where you lost marks.
- Focus your revision on the specific sections where you scored poorly in November.
- Work through all available past papers including the November 2026 papers you just wrote.
- Create a study schedule for January and February — you have approximately 6–8 weeks to prepare.
- Consider enrolling in extra lessons or joining a study group focused on your target subjects.
- Practise under timed exam conditions using the past papers.
Will Supplementary Results Affect My University Application?
Most South African universities accept supplementary exam results for admission. However, the application deadline may have already passed for the March 2027 intake. Contact the specific university's admissions office to find out if they will consider your supplementary results for late or deferred admission.
NSFAS applications typically open in August and close in November. If you are applying for funding based on supplementary results, contact NSFAS on 08000 67327 to discuss your options.