Are you not happy with your matric results? Here's how to improve them

You can apply for the supplementary exams for a period of up to five years from when you matriculated. Pic: Pexels/Jessica Lewis Creative

You can apply for the supplementary exams for a period of up to five years from when you matriculated. Pic: Pexels/Jessica Lewis Creative

Published Jan 24, 2023

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Nothing is more discouraging than working so hard and putting in so much effort for your matric results just to come out empty-handed. But don't give up because you still have a chance to submit an application for a rewrite and, therefore, improve your outcomes.

The Class of 2022 matriculants is able to sit for a second national exam, formerly known as supplementary exams.

Applicants who failed their matriculation exam or did not fulfil the requirements for their credentials might take further exams. It gives matric students a second chance to get their matric certificates.

It also gives candidates who could not attend or finish the examination (for medical reasons or a death in the family, for example) a chance to do so. Those who had irregularities that were being investigated can also apply to write the supplementary exam.

All second national exams (for supplementary exams and amended Senior Certificate exams) will now be written in May/June 2023.

How many Matric subjects can I rewrite? You can rewrite up to four (4) subjects.

Below is a list of Matric subjects you can rewrite.

Compulsory subjects

  • One Home Language
  • One First Additional Language
  • Mathematics
  • Mathematical Literacy
  • Life Orientation
  • Language subjects
  • English
  • Afrikaans
  • Sesotho
  • Setswana
  • Siswati
  • Tshivenda
  • Xitsonga
  • IsiNdebele
  • IsiXhosa
  • IsiZulu
  • Sepedi

Optional subjects

  • Economics
  • Physical Sciences
  • Life Sciences
  • Agricultural Sciences
  • Business Studies
  • Accounting
  • History
  • Geography
  • Religious Studies

How to apply for a supplementary exam:

You can register for the supplementary exams online or at your nearest education District office. To use the new e-Government portal, you need to register with a username and password.

What can I do if I fail my Matric rewrite exam?

You can do the following if you did not pass your Matric rewrite exam:

  • Rewrite again; or
  • Study a course without Matric

Although not passing Matric twice may be a bit of a downer, there is still light at the end of the tunnel. Luckily, there is no limit on the number of times you can rewrite Matric, so you can study again and rewrite the Matric exam until you pass.