Matric marking is the process of evaluating and allocating grades to the National Senior Certificate (NSC) or matric exams in South Africa. The markers are selected from a qualified pool of teachers and professors to help mark thousands of matric exam papers.
Once grade 12 completes their matric exams by 28 November 2024, they will all eagerly await their results. The results for the 2024 November matric exams will be announced on 15 January 2025 and available to students from 16 January 2025.
This article will provide a deep understanding of how matric marking is done, how marks are allocated, and the challenges markers face.
Table of Contents
What Is Matric Marking?
Matric marking refers to grading the matric exam papers at the end of the matric exams in South Africa. Since the score of the matric exam is a highly anticipated event, it follows a precise procedure. This helps to ensure that all students are marked across standard criteria.
Standardisation helps bring quality control into the marking of the matric papers and allows all students to be graded without bias. Additionally, marking is done by qualified teachers who demonstrate expertise in the subject they are marking.
How Is Matric Marking Done?
Once the exams are completed, the papers are sent to the Provincial Education Department (PDE), from where they are distributed across marking centres. The matric marking will take place in December under strict and confidential settings.
Once marking is complete, the scores are sent to the DBE, which performs additional checks for quality control and to determine whether there is consistency in scores across marking centres.
The Department of Basic Education hires qualified markers through a rigorous process before the conclusion of the matric exams. These expert teachers participate in training sessions that guide them on how to mark fairly.
These are the requirements expected of matric markers:
- Degree in Education
- At least 5 years of teaching experience
- Additionally, they must taught the grade 12 subject they intend on marking for at least 2 or 3 years
- Declaration stating whether they have a family member writing any of the subjects they intend to mark.
How are Marks Allocated?
The final grade 12 matric score combines School Based Assessment (SBAs) and the final exam. The SBAs account for 25% of the grade, while the exam makes up 75%. The SBAs include assignments, projects, and tests done during the school year and marked internally.
Subjects in the matric exam vary in length, number of papers, and the total marks they are graded on. For example, consumer studies is three hours long and carries a maximum of 200 marks, whereas economics is spread across two papers, each of which is scored out of 150 marks.
Each marker is provided with a subject-specific memo which details the key points they need to search for when evaluating the exams. It helps to guide the markers on how to award marks and ensures there is no discrepancy in the marking.
Know Matric Exam Guidelines in detail!
What is Quality Assurance in Matric Marking?
In South Africa, DBE and other matric examination providers fall under Umalusi, which helps to maintain quality in the basic education sector. It also helps to develop frameworks that aim to improve the country’s education quality.
When marking the critical matric exams, Umalusi trains markers to adhere to the process. They are also provided with a detailed memo that lists the marking guidelines and includes the points that markers need to be grading. This helps to maintain the integrity of the matric exams and guarantees that all students are provided a fair chance.
Umalusi undertakes marking verification to apply consistent guidelines to all PED marking centres. It aims to standardise exam results and achieve a constant marking scheme across all centres. This also ensures students are awarded marks based on a benchmark matric marking scheme.
What is the Time Frame for Matric Marking?
The process for matric marking begins as soon as the last paper is completed. Exams are transported from the exam centres to the PED. From here, they are distributed to marking centres across the province.
Since the exams conclude on 28 November 2024, most of the marking will occur in December before the scores are forwarded to the DBE. Umalusi will conduct quality checks before the Minister of Basic Education, Ms Siviwe Gwarube, announces the results on 15 January 2025.
The results will be released to candidates on the following date and available on the DBE website. Students can collect the statement of results from their respective exam centres.
Re-Marking and Re-Checking of Matric Papers
The matric exam results determine the future education paths that students can embark upon based on the pass level they achieve. The matric exams have four pass levels: bachelor, diploma, higher certificate, and NSC pass.
Students must pass the matric exam to complete high school in South Africa. These are the requirements for ‘what is the pass mark for the matric’.
- Home Language: 40% or higher
- 2 subjects: 40% or higher
- 2 other subjects: 30% or higher
OR
- If students fail one subject, including the home language, 30% or higher is required for the 6 remaining subjects.
If students are unsatisfied with their overall martic score or that of a particular subject, they can request that their exam paper be re-marked on or re-checked.
Re-check Matric Papers
- Limited process
- Verifies all the marks were added correctly and no answer was missed
- Confirm marking and the total score
Cost: R29
Re-mark Matric Papers
- Complete reevaluation of the paper by a different examiner
- Possibility of marks to be adjusted based upon reexamination
- Should be opted if a student feels they were incorrectly marked
- Results will be released on 14 March 2025
Cost: R116
Students can register for it at the school, district office, or online on the South African e-Services Portal. The deadline to register is 31 January 2025.
Steps to register online:
- Open South African e-Services Portal
- Register with your ID and the One Time Password (OTP)
- Login with your username and password
- Select re-mark/re-check from the list of services
- Use the OTP to confirm
- Request re-mark or re-check for particular subjects
- Accept confirmation of details
Know how to prepare for Matric Exam here!
What are Some Common Challenges in Matric Marking?
Qualified teachers mark the matric exams and must adhere to a standard set of guidelines and memos prepared for each subject. However, mistakes can still occur in the matric marking process. This is why Umalusi employs quality control, and students have the option of requesting a re-check or re-mark of their matric papers.
These are some challenges that can arise during the marking:
- Time constraint: markers have a limited time in grading each paper so that they can complete marking all of them before the deadline. This can sometimes result in incorrect addition of marks or skipping a section.
- Changes in the guidelines: If the guidelines have been upgraded, the marker might have a tough time adjusting to the new grading criteria.
- Unable to understand the handwriting: Students can lose points if the marker cannot clearly read their handwriting. Therefore, students are urged to write neatly, begin each question on a new page, and label using the correct question numbers.
- Complexity of questions: Assessing answers based on subjective or open-ended questions might be challenging.
Finalisation and Release of Results
The matric results for the 2024 November matric exams will be announced on 15 January 2025 and available to students from 16 January 2025. The final results combine the internal SBA scoring and the final exam score.
The weightage of the final exam can depend on the subject. Some subjects only have one exam, while others, like home language, have three. Additionally, other subjects include a practical assessment in addition to the written exam.
Once the results are released, students have the option to submit them for a re-check or re-mark if they are not satisfied with them or if they feel they were marked unfairly.
Conclusion
Matric marking is a critical part of the matric exams and is monitored diligently by Umalusi. This helps to guarantee that the markers follow strict guidelines and that all the papers are marked based on the memo for each subject.
Marking for the matric exams is done in a strict and confidential manner to ensure fairness and standardisation of the process. Markings undergo a quality check to ensure consistency across all provinces before they are released to the students.
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What is Matric Marking? – FAQs
When do matric marks come out?
Matric marks will be announced on 15 January 2025 by the Minister of Education and will be available to students from 16 January 2025.
What should students do if they are unhappy with their matric marking?
If students are dissatisfied with their scores, they can request a re-check or re-mark of their exam papers to ensure their results accurately reflect their performance.
What is the difference between re-check and re-mark?
A re-check verifies that marks were correctly totaled, while a re-mark involves a complete reevaluation of the paper by a different examiner.
How can students request a re-check or re-mark?
Students can register for a re-check or re-mark at their school, district office, or online through the South African e-Services Portal. The deadline for registration is January 31, 2025.
How are marks allocated in matric exams?
Marks are allocated based on a combination of School Based Assessments (SBAs) (25%) and the final exam (75%). Each subject has specific criteria outlined in a subject-specific memo.
What is the matric pass mark in South Africa?
To pass the matric and achieve an NSC pass level, students need a minimum of 40% in the home language, 40% in 2 subjects, and 30% in 2 other subjects. Students can fail a subject, including the home language. However, they need to score a minimum of 30% for the remaining 6 subjects.
How to apply to mark matric papers?
To be eligible to mark, candidates must have a degree in education, have at least 5 years of teaching experience, with at least 2-3 years teaching the subject at grade 12 level.
