Nearly 900,000 candidates set for 2025 NSC exams as education department declares system ready

Nearly 900,000 candidates are set to sit for the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams, which will begin on 21 October and conclude on 27 November 2025. 

Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube highlighted the significance of the upcoming NSC exams, describing them as one of the country’s largest educational undertakings. She expressed confidence in the department’s preparedness for the examination period, noting that rigorous measures had been implemented throughout every stage, from candidate registration to question paper setting, printing, distribution, marking and certification.

Gwarube made these remarks during a briefing on the state of readiness for the 2025 NSC examinations held on Monday, 20 October 2025, in Skukuza, Mpumalanga.

“The department confidently affirms that the system is fully ready to administer the 2025 NSC exams at the highest possible standard,” she stated.

The exams in numbers

Approximately 900,000 candidates are expected to write the NSC exams. Among them, 766,000 are full-time learners and 137,000 are part-time candidates.

All papers have been printed securely, and provincial departments have rigorously audited printing and distribution sites. 

“Integrity is not negotiable; it is the cornerstone of the NSC certificate and public trust in our education system,” Gwarube stressed.

The integrity of the exams remained paramount, emphasised Gwarube, who confirmed that 162 question papers had been carefully set, moderated by expert panels, and quality assured. 

“Every learner has a fair opportunity to demonstrate their learning,” she affirmed. Exam papers had been made accessible for learners with disabilities, including Braille, large print, and South African Sign Language video recordings.

Regarding gateway subjects, the minister revealed a positive trend: “In 2024, just over 257,000 learners took mathematics. This year, that number has grown to 259,000.” She acknowledged the need for continued efforts to boost uptake, but expressed optimism, saying: “We must accelerate this momentum.”

Shortage of markers a concern 

Despite some areas of concern, exams quality assurer Umalusi has announced that the system is ready to conduct the NSC exams.

Addressing a media briefing in Pretoria last week, Umalusi CEO Dr Mafu Rakometsi praised the efforts of the various assessment bodies, saying they had done “everything humanly possible to uphold the credibility and integrity of the exams”. The assessment bodies responsible for administering the NSC exams include the Department of Basic Education, the Independent Examinations Board, and the SA Comprehensive Assessment Institute.

Rakometsi acknowledged that while the report highlighted some areas of concern, “the issues are not systemic to compromise the overall credibility and integrity of the November 2025 examinations”. He added that all concerns had been communicated to the heads of provincial education departments, the Department of Basic Education, and the CEOs of the Independent Examinations Board and SA Comprehensive Assessment Institute.

The organisation identified a shortage of markers for certain Department of Basic Education subjects, specifically history and Paper 3 for home and first additional languages. 

“We are satisfied that the Department of Basic Education’s strategies, such as additional recruitment drives, an early start to marking, and extending the marking period, will bridge these gaps by the time marking commences,” Rakometsi said.

Markers will be trained prior to marking, which begins on 15 November and ends on 18 December. Umalusi will conduct a verification process to ensure scripts are marked according to approved guidelines, and that marking standards remain consistent and fair. 

“These processes are designed to confirm that assessment bodies conduct and manage the examinations in accordance with the regulations governing national exams,” Rakometsi said.

Exam centres

The audit of exam centres and storage points for examination materials, including answer scripts, has been completed. This year, 6,376 public and 579 independent schools will serve as examination centres nationwide. About a third of these centres have been audited and assigned risk levels, guiding the deployment of invigilators and security resources. More than 40,000 trained markers, invigilators, moderators and data capturers will work across more than 185 marking centres, rigorously managing the examination process and safeguarding its credibility.

“As per the norm, examination centres have been categorised into low-, medium-, and high-risk centres,” said Rakometsi. The risk level was determined by factors such as the centre’s history of irregularities and whether it was administering the NSC exam for the first time. Based on these risk assessments, Umalusi was satisfied that adequate measures were in place across all assessment bodies to mitigate risks at high-risk centres.

“Because the security protocols concerning the printing, packaging, storage and distribution of question papers and associated materials are classified, Umalusi cannot provide details in this regard,” he said.

Rakometsi confirmed that all assessment bodies had adequately trained their personnel, including assistant invigilators, invigilators and chief invigilators, to manage the conduct, administration and oversight of the 2025 examinations.

While security protocols for printing, packaging and distribution remained classified, Umalusi was confident that strong measures were in place to safeguard the examination process.

All storage points were centrally monitored in close collaboration with the South African Police Service to ensure strict compliance with security protocols. Marking would be conducted at 21 marking centres across the province from 2 to 12 December.

A resilient cohort 

Gwarube paid tribute to the Class of 2025, who entered high school amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

 “Their early high school years were marked by rotational timetables, reduced contact time, incomplete curriculum coverage, and significant psychological challenges,” she said. Despite these hurdles, she said, the cohort “embodies resilience” through “recovery, renewal, and relentless effort”.

She acknowledged planned contingencies for potential disruptions like protests or load shedding, but appealed for calm and cooperation to ensure exams proceeded smoothly.

“Through these measures, the department confidently affirms that the system is fully ready to administer the 2025 NSC exams at the highest possible standard,” she said. DM