Succeeding at Supplementary Exams: Everything You Need to Know

If you’re a 2024 Matriculant looking to be accepted into a tertiary institution or hoping to become employed, passing Matric and receiving your certificate is one of the essentials. However, due to various circumstances, Matric exams may have been an overwhelming struggle, resulting in you not meeting the minimum requirements to pass Grade 12 and enter your planned future. But all is not lost – you may qualify for a supplementary exam or second national exam, allowing you a second chance to improve your marks. We’re here to talk you through succeeding at Supplementary Exams.

BrightSparkz would love to help you master that tricky subject before your supplementary exams. Get an expert tutor for your supplementary exam!

Why should you consider a supplementary exam?

Succeeding at Supplementary Exams is absolutely possible! Here’s what counts in your favour: 

• Unlocking university doors: With enhanced Matric marks through supplementary exams, targeting a competitive degree or university becomes more achievable. Our expert tutors guide you in meeting specific university requirements, from attaining a Bachelor’s Degree Pass to achieving requisite subject marks.
• Targeted Learning: A supplementary exam lets you zero in on one subject rather than juggling multiple. This focused approach can significantly enhance your understanding of the subject matter and your performance. Having fewer subjects to worry about means you can dedicate your attention, effort, and resources towards mastering the nuances of that specific subject.
• Extended Preparation Time: A supplementary exam comes with the advantage of additional time for preparation. Having already spent a year studying the subject, you have nearly six more months to delve deeper. You can optimally utilise the time with a BrightSparkz tutor who will provide personalised guidance, keep you on track, and significantly boost your chances of achieving a higher grade.

Supplementary exam vs rewriting your Matric

If you didn’t get the results you were hoping for in Matric, you qualify to write a second national exam (previously called supplementary exams) in the year immediately after your Matric final. You can also re-enrol for your Matric year and retake the end-of-year exams up to 5 years after you complete Matric.

Amended Senior Certificate

If you Matriculated more than 5 years ago, you can apply for an Amended Senior Certificate. All second national exams (for supplementary exams and Amended Senior certificate exams) will now be written in May/June 2025, while re-enrolling in Matric will mean you retake all Matric exams. Including mid-year, prelims and finals at the end of the year.

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Do I qualify to write a supplementary exam?

According to the Department of Education, you qualify for a supplementary exam:

• If you did not pass Grade 12 but must pass 2 subjects to obtain your NSC. You can register to retake any number of subjects for your supplementary exam. However, you must have written these subjects during your final year exams.
• If you were medically unfit or had another special reason for being absent for an exam.
• In the instance of a death in your immediate family, you may register for the supplementary examination.
• If you provide evidence that you qualify for admission to a higher education institution or occupation but do not satisfy the requirements, or if you are one requirement short of meeting the minimum admission requirements for a higher certificate, diploma and bachelor’s degree programs, you can register for supplementary exams.
• In a case where an irregularity is under investigation, provisional enrollment for supplementary examination may be granted, pending the outcome of the investigation.
• If you could not write or complete one or more of the National Senior Certificate examination question papers for reasons other than illness or injury. The school principal must submit a report to the Head of the assessment body.

Qualifying for IEB supplementary examinations

Qualifying for the IEB second national exam is very similar to the NSC exams. However, there are some differences.

• Missed one or more examination papers: If you missed one or more papers in your final year for legitimate reasons such as illness or trauma, you can apply for the supplementary examination.
• Require a maximum of two subjects to achieve NSC: If you are just short of a maximum of two subjects to obtain the National Senior Certificate to achieve a higher category of achievement or to meet the specific entry requirements for further studies, you are eligible to apply. However, proof of the entry requirements from the relevant institution is necessary.
• Subjects already taken: For the supplementary examinations, you can only register for subjects you wrote in the previous end-of-year examination.
• Maximum of two subjects: If you haven’t met the minimum promotion and certification requirements but are short of two subjects to obtain the National Senior Certificate, you can register for a maximum of two subjects for the supplementary examination in the following year. These must be subjects you sat for in the previous end-of-year examination.
• Registering for Life Orientation: You can also register for Life Orientation, which comprises an internally assessed component and a common assessment task, as one of the two subjects for the supplementary examination. The re-assessment of both components must be completed within the supplementary examination period.
• Combining Subjects: Candidates repeating one or more subjects may combine their subjects with meeting the current National Senior Certificate requirements and earning a National Senior Certificate.
• Medically unfit candidates: If you were medically unfit and couldn’t attend one or more external examinations, you could register for the supplementary examination.
• Meeting specific faculty or occupational requirements: If you do not meet the minimum higher education faculty requirements or the requirements for the specific occupation in the end-of-year examination, you may register for the supplementary examination in the following year, in a maximum of two subjects.
• In case of death in the immediate family: If a death occurred in your immediate family or other special reasons prevented you from attending the exam, you could register for the supplementary examination.
• Irregularities: If your case is under investigation due to an irregularity, you may be granted provisional enrollment for the supplementary examination, pending the investigation’s outcome.
• Inability to complete the end-of-year examination: If you cannot write or complete the end-of-year examination for a valid reason, you can write the supplementary examination for the specific examination question paper you did not complete.

Remember, the internal assessment of the Grade 12-year, including practical or oral assessment marks where applicable, will be used to meet the internal assessment and external examination requirements.

Like the second national exams, the IEB NSC supplementary examinations are there to give you a second chance to fulfil your academic goals. Therefore, if you meet the qualifications, seize this opportunity and make the most out of it.

Read more: Blanked Out During An Exam – What To Do

Registering for supplementary exams & when they take place?

• Contact the Department of Education via your school.
• Applications will close on 7 February 2025. But avoid further stress and register as soon as possible after receiving your results.
• The supplementary examinations will take place in May and June 2025.

Receiving your exam results by SMS

If you’d like to receive an instant SMS as soon as your results are released, SMS your examination number to 45856. Once the Matric results are released, you’ll receive them. Please note there is a cost for each SMS.

Read more: Exam Concessions

How many subjects can I register for?

You can register to rewrite as many subjects as you like, provided you were registered to write these in 2024. However, you must pay a fee for each subject you rewrite. If you want to write a different subject, you will have to register to take this subject with an institution like UNISA.

What do I need to register?

Previously the only method to apply for the NSC June examinations was by submitting a physical application form. The department sends these forms to candidates’ schools and district offices for your convenience. However, depending on your situation, you may now be able to apply online. 

Include the following documents with your application:

• Your completed and signed application form.
• Signed Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act form.
• Certified copy of your ID.
• Your latest Statement of Results.

You can submit your completed application by dropping it off at the Education District Office that is closest to you.

You’ll receive an SMS notification after your application is processed and verified. Finally, once all applications have been captured and verified, you’ll receive another SMS instructing you to check your registration confirmation online.

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How do I prepare for succeeding at my Supplementary Exams

Past exam papers

Past exam papers are some of the best revision forms. Access several papers for various subjects directly from the Department of Education’s examinations past papers.

Tutoring

This is also an excellent time to consider tutoring. Our tutors will assist you with those tricky sections of work you just can’t seem to grasp on your own. They will help ensure you cover all the material needed before your rewrite. You will improve your chances of improving your marks by getting support systems in place well in advance. Succeeding at Supplementary Exams has never been more manageable! 

Contact us via our book a tutor page, and we’ll set you up with a tutor who will be there with you every step of the way. We want to see you succeed and assist you in achieving the marks you need and are capable of.

Read more: Tips To Manage Your Matric Year

What do I do if I don’t qualify to write a supplementary exam?

If you don’t meet the criteria for a supplementary exam, you have the following options:

• Re-enroll for the NSC at a school without delay if you are younger than 21 years old. Enrol as a part-time candidate at a Public Adult Education Centre if you are older than 21.
• Register for the Senior Certificate (SC) examination, a school leaving qualification for adults and out-of-school learners.
• Alternatively, if you were unsuccessful in your examinations, you could consider vocational education and training. There are 50 Public Further Education and Training (FET) colleges across all provinces of South Africa, comprising over 300 campuses or teaching sites.

As a 2024 Matriculant, passing Matric exams is a vital stepping stone towards higher education or employment. But if you stumbled, there’s still hope through supplementary exams. These exams allow for focused, in-depth study on fewer subjects, paving the way for improved performance. With extra preparation time, personalised guidance from BrightSparkz tutors can significantly boost your chances of a higher grade. Remember, with the proper support and determination, a supplementary exam can be your passport to fulfilling your academic or career aspirations. Keep reminding yourself: Succeeding at Supplementary Exams is possible! 

We’ve matched thousands of parents and learners with their ideal tutors. Book a tutor today. 

Helpful resources for succeeding at Supplementary Exams 

• For answers to other frequently asked questions about supplementary exams, visit the education.gov.za website.
• For information on IEB supplementary exams, read this.
• You can also find out what your “Bachelor’s pass”, “Diploma pass”, and “Certificate pass” mean here.
• You can view the NSC June Exam table here.