Pretoria: The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has announced the official conclusion of the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations, with rewrite opportunities for selected subjects having taken place on Thursday.
According to South African Government News Agency, the DBE stated that provinces reported high levels of stability, procedural consistency, and compliance throughout the exam period, which concluded on Thursday, 27 November 2025. The department commended the Class of 2025 for their resilience and maturity during what it described as 'a demanding but well-managed' examination cycle.
The DBE is ensuring fairness by administering additional papers as second-opportunity sittings for candidates unable to complete their exams due to valid reasons. This move underscores the department's commitment to equity and access.
The DBE highlighted that the 2025 NSC examinations operated with discipline, reliability, and problem-solving agility across all provinces. Any minor administrative omissions were promptly identified, escalated, and resolved without disadvantaging any candidate.
The department also noted an increase in candidates experiencing illness and anxiety-related difficulties, leading to the activation of psychosocial support teams through the Khuluma for Wellness platform and provincial units. This ensured affected learners received counselling and could continue writing exams, even from hospitals or alternative venues.
Concerns were raised over isolated incidents of crime and unrest, including an armed robbery at an overnight study camp. Trauma counselling was provided, and affected candidates were scheduled to write a special paper on Thursday, 27 November 2025. The DBE expressed condolences following the death of a learner linked to an irregularity matter, emphasizing the need for continued ethical and emotional preparation for high-stakes examinations.
With the exam season ending on 21 October 2025, the department urged learners to avoid unsafe celebrations linked to unregulated 'Pens Down' parties, warning of risks such as alcohol abuse, violence, and exploitation. Learners are encouraged to demonstrate responsible citizenship by donating uniforms or stationery, further strengthening the culture of care within school communities.
The DBE announced that early marking, which began on 22 November 2025, has been completed successfully. This phase allowed for verification of systems, finalisation of training, and readiness assessments ahead of the full-scale national marking process. Full marking will commence on 1 December 2025 across designated centres, with over 52,000 markers appointed nationally.
The DBE emphasized the professionalism, independence, and technical skill of these markers, which form the backbone of the NSC examinations' credibility. Marking preparations included verification of centre readiness, security controls, script-management systems, extensive training for chief and senior markers, and pre-standardisation processes to ensure uniform application of marking guidelines.
The department thanked educators, invigilators, principals, district officials, provincial teams, and parents for their collective role in ensuring a secure and credible examination environment. The DBE expressed confidence that the professionalism of markers and the sector's commitment will uphold the credibility of the NSC as the country moves into the results-finalisation phase.