If you do not pass your matric examinations at the end of your Grade 12 year, there is good news. You can rewrite your matric to achieve your academic goals or present a better qualification on job applications. Let’s take a deeper look into this important academic offering, including who can rewrite, how to do so, and other pertinent information.
Who Qualifies For A Matric Rewrite?
You can rewrite your matric if you meet the following qualifications:
- You completed your initial matric examinations,
- You did not pass your Senior Certificate, or you failed subjects, and
- You are happy to simply rewrite the initial subjects you failed and do not want to add new subjects.
You should also be under the age of 21 at the time you write the supplementary exams. If you do not match these criteria, however, don’t think that means the end of your academic goals. You can opt to upgrade your matric to add different subjects or take an adult matric as a learner over 21 or a learner who never initially wrote the matric exams, perhaps due to leaving school earlier than Grade 12 or having failed at the time and not rewritten your matric directly after.
Where Can I Apply For a Matric Rewrite?
To simply apply to write in the supplementary exam sessions, you can register directly with the Department of Basic Education through their online portal. This service is offered for free. If you are looking for further support and tuition, you can apply to a private tutor or institution to help with this. They may also include exam registration as part of their services.
How Much Does It Cost to Rewrite Matric?
If you are confident you can self-study the subjects you failed without the need to re-enroll in school or an education program, you can rewrite matric for free. Additionally, some free academic support is offered through the Department of Basic Education’s Second Chance Matric (SCM) program. This consists of in-person learning at their offices or registered sites and some support through TV and radio broadcasts. The degree of support offered will vary by province and city, and it is often very busy.
If you would prefer to rewrite your matric with the support of a private tutor, or through a focused matric program, however, there will be costs involved. These are offered by many colleges, vocational programs, and even universities in South Africa. Costs can be as low as R5,000, or as high as R21,000 for one program or course. This depends on the institution, the degree of support offered, and how long you need.
Can I Rewrite My Matric Online?
You can apply to rewrite your matric online through the portal we linked above. You will also find matric rewrite programs catering to distance learners, which often take place online. However, you will not be able to write your supplementary exam online. For this, you will need to attend a registered examination center in your area to write the exams. This is because they cannot yet ensure fair adjudication through online means.
Can I Rewrite Matric In 6 Months?
If you are enrolling for a supplementary exam to rewrite your matric, the earliest session will be in May/June of the following year. This means you can rewrite matric in 6 months, provided you are only rewriting the initial subjects you took and failed. Most adult matric programs run over 12 or 24 months.
What Documents Do I Need To Apply For Matric Rewrite?
To apply for matric rewrite through the Department of Basic Education’s portal, you will need the following:
- A certified ID copy
- Your previous statement of results from your initial matric session. You may also need your exam session number from the initial session.
- An email address and mobile number you can use to register your account on the website.
Luckily, it is not a difficult process. While you can register at a Department of Basic Education office as well, registering online is quicker and more convenient. You will also be better able to track your application and can perform other tasks through the portal, too. This includes applying for rechecks or remarks of your initial exam papers. This is a smart idea where your matric exams fall short of your (realistic) academic expectations or where you only need a few percent extra to push your grade to a passing grade or the grade you need.
When Can I Register To Rewrite Matric (2026)?
You rewrite matric in the supplementary exam session on offer in May/June of the year after you first wrote. This means that (for the class of 2026 and earlier), the 2026 supplementary exam session has already passed. The next enrollment will be for the class of 2026 and anyone else needing to write in the 2026 May/June supplementary exams. The application dates are not yet available. However, they typically open immediately after the matric results are announced and stay open for about 4 weeks. Look out for them to open on the Department of Basic Education’s web portal from mid-February 2026 and act fast- they do not stay open very long.
This is strictly talking about registering for your matric rewrite examination. Many places offering tuition for matric rewrites have their own enrollment dates or possibly no fixed enrollment period at all. You will need to get this information directly from the academic institution itself.
Rewriting your matric is a great way to achieve the academic qualifications you were hoping for, so don’t be afraid to use the supplementary exam sessions if you need to.
