who qualifies for matric supplementary exams
A supplementary examination may be granted to an unsuccessful National Senior Certificate candidate, provided they meet specific criteria. The closing date for applications to the supplementary examination is 19 January .
Conditions for entry as per the regulations governing the supplementary examination
- If a candidate has not met the minimum promotion and certification requirements in the final external examination, but requires a maximum of two subjects to obtain the National Senior Certificate, he or she may register for a maximum of two subjects for the supplementary examination in the year following the final external examination. These two subjects must be subjects that the candidate sat for in the previous end-of-year examination.
- If a candidate is medically unfit and, as a result, was absent from one or more external examinations, he or she may register for the supplementary examination.
- If there is a death in the immediate family of a candidate, or other special reasons for the candidate’s absence, he or she may register for the supplementary examination.
- A candidate who provides documentary evidence that he or she qualifies for admission to a higher education institution or for an occupation, but does not satisfy the higher education faculty requirements or the requirements for the specific occupation, as well as a candidate who is one requirement short in meeting the minimum admission requirements for Higher Certificate, Diploma and Bachelor’s degree programmes, may be allowed to register for a maximum of two subjects.
who qualifies for matric supplementary exams
- In a case where an irregularity is being investigated, provisional enrolment for supplementary examination may be granted to the candidate concerned, pending the outcome of the investigation.
- A candidate who was unable to write or complete one or more of the National Senior Certificate examination question papers for reasons other than illness or injury may apply to write the supplementary examination, provided that a written report is submitted by the principal of the school to the Head of the assessment body.
NB: Documentary proof substantiating reason for absenteeism must be submitted at the centre of registration to ensure entry to the supplementary examination.
NB: Supplementary exam results will not be available on the website.
You can visit the nearest office of the Department of Education in your area to enquire about your results or make any other examination-related enquiries you may have. The following contact persons per province will point you in the right direction:
Province |
Contact Person |
Telephone Number |
Eastern Cape | MS N Lehlakane | 043 604 7709 / 7701 |
Free State | Mr TK Basjan | 051 404 8397 |
Gauteng | Mr B Ngubane | 011 355 0307 |
KwaZulu-Natal | Dr B Mthembu | 031 327 0245/0444 |
Limpopo | Mr NW Mphahlele | 015 290 7627 |
Mpumalanga | Mr CS Manyabeane | 013 766 0006 |
North West | Mr BJ Nothnagel | 018 388 0803 |
Northern Cape | Ms P Phuzi | 053 839 6302 |
Western Cape | Ms T Singh | 021 467 2945 |
If you are disappointed with your results, do not panic or think you must deal with it on your own. You can seek advice and support from your teachers or department counsellors. You may also wish to contact CHILDLINE on their toll-free number: 0800 055 555 and you will be redirected to the appropriate regional office.