The matriculation class of 2024 is almost there with about a week to go until this year’s National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams.

The exams started on 21 October and will end on 28 November 2024 for both Independent Examination Board (IEB) and NSC matriculation students. Marking begins immediately thereafter.

NSC matrix scheme

On Thursday matric students wrote Geography (Rural and Urban Development, Economic Geography of SA and Map Work) P2 (3 hours) in the morning and Religious Studies P2 (2 hours) and Maritime Economics (3 hours) in the afternoon.

On Friday they will sit for Accounting P2 (2h) at 9 am and Agricultural Science P1 (2½h) at 2 pm.

The final week of exams starts with Afrikaans HL P2 (2½ hours), Afrikaans FAL P2 (2½ hours) and Afrikaans SAL P2 (1½ hours) on Monday morning and in the afternoon Agricultural Sciences P2 (2½ hours) and Nautical Science P2 (3 hours ) at 2 p.m.

On Tuesday morning, the students will write Music P1 theory (3 hours) and Agricultural Technology (3 hours). They will sit for Music P2 comprehension (1½ hours) at 2pm.

On Wednesday, Agricultural Management Practices (3 hours), Marine Sciences P2 (2½ hours) in the afternoon Design P1 (3 hours) at 2 p.m.

When the exams end on Thursday, the matric will go for a CAT P1 rewrite (3 hours) and a practical IT P1 rewrite (3 hours) at 9 am.

See the full NSC final exam schedule below:

2024 NSC Time Table of Sonwabile P. Mncaphayi

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IEB matrix scheme

Meanwhile, IEB students sat for Consumer Studies and Hospitality Studies at 9am on Thursday.

Later in the afternoon they wrote Maritime Economics at 2 p.m.

On Friday morning they will sit for Life Sciences PII at 9:00.

In their final exam week, Matrics will on Monday write English Papers 2 for FAL and HL at 9.00am, and will write Nautical Science P2 in the afternoon at 2.00pm.

On Tuesday they will write Agricultural Technology and Music PI at 9 am, Paper 2 of Music will come later in the day at 2 pm.

Then on Wednesday, candidates will sit for Engineering Graphics and Design Paper 2 in the morning.

Finally, Agricultural Management Practice will be written on Thursday morning, with no scheduled exam in the second session.

See the full IEB final exam schedule below:

IEB final timetable 2024 of nonverbal

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Five things you can do after matriculation

In South Africa, a matriculation certificate remains the gold standard for educational achievement.

However, the journey is not without its challenges. Acknowledging these difficulties, Siyavuya Makubalo of Oxbridge Academy says: “For many students, the rigors and constraints of secondary school and matriculation can be prohibitively daunting, and the pressure to perform can be overwhelming.”

Intermediate year

After completing the matriculation exam, students have various options in addition to university studies.

A popular option is to take a gap year, which provides an opportunity for self-discovery, exploration and personal growth.

During this time, students can reflect on their career choices and interests, gain practical experience through internships or volunteering, and travel.

This break can also increase independence and confidence, potentially improving university applications.

However, there are risks associated with gap years, such as losing momentum or focus, unclear goals or structure, potential financial burdens, and limited access to resources or support.

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Vocational or technical education

Another option is vocational or technical education, which focuses on skill development in specific areas.

These programs provide hands-on training, preparing students for immediate entry into the workforce.

Examples include professions such as electricians, plumbers or carpenters, IT and computer programming, hospitality and tourism, healthcare and nursing, and craft skills such as culinary arts or fashion design.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships offer on-the-job training, which combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience.

Benefits include earning while learning, industry-specific skills development, mentoring and networking opportunities, and improved employability.

This pathway allows students to develop valuable skills and build professional connections.

Although this is not always true, some companies may hire you based on experience over qualifications.

Entrepreneurship

For those with a business mindset, entrepreneurship can be a viable option.

Students can explore business incubators or accelerators, online courses or workshops, mentorship programs, and networking events.

Entrepreneurship promotes innovation, self-reliance and potential financial independence.

In South Africa, small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) play a critical role in economic growth and job creation. By starting your own businessentrepreneurs can contribute to the development of this sector.

According to the South African Revenue Services (Sars) one must be between 18 and 29 years of age and employed at any age in Special Economic Zones (SEZ).

Some government initiatives that support SMEs include the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) and the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA).

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Volunteer work

Finally, devoting time to volunteering or community service can be incredibly rewarding.

This experience helps develop social awareness and responsibility, improves communication and teamwork, builds networks and contacts, and provides practical experience in various fields.

These options offer valuable opportunities for growth, skill development and exploration beyond traditional university studies.

Some additional options to consider include:

• Online courses or certification programs
• Sports or art academies
• National Youth Service programme
• Foreign work or study program

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