27 pages
Accounting
Use the guideline to check the structure of the Accounting papers, the assessed content and the way calculations, explanations and financial information are presented.
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Grade 12 exam guidelines
Download the DBE examination guideline for your subject, then use it with the latest past papers to plan focused revision.
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Find the scope for your exam.
34 pages
Agricultural Sciences
Review the Agricultural Sciences examination structure and the content assessed across animal studies, genetics, production and agricultural management.
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Business Studies
See how Business Studies is divided across the examination papers and how short questions, longer responses and essays are assessed.
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Computer Applications Technology
Check the practical and theory examination requirements for Computer Applications Technology, including the skills and knowledge expected in each paper.
View guideline36 pages
Dramatic Arts
Use the Dramatic Arts guideline to understand the written examination, prescribed content and the evidence expected in analytical answers.
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Economics
Review how Economics content is divided between Paper 1 and Paper 2 and what is expected in data-response, paragraph and essay questions.
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Engineering Graphics and Design
Check the Engineering Graphics and Design paper structure, drawing conventions and the types of civil and mechanical problems assessed.
View guideline22 pages
Geography
Use the Geography guideline to connect the theory topics with geographic skills, mapwork and the forms of evidence used in examination questions.
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History
See the History examination structure and the different skills required for source-based questions and extended-writing essays.
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Information Technology
Check what is assessed in the Information Technology practical and theory papers, including programming, data and systems concepts.
View guideline18 pages
Life Sciences
Review the Life Sciences content assessed in each paper and the scientific skills needed for terminology, diagrams, investigations and data-response questions.
View guideline16 pages
Mathematics
Use the Mathematics guideline to confirm the Paper 1 and Paper 2 content, weighting and mathematical skills expected in the final examination.
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Mathematical Literacy
Check the contexts, levels of thinking and practical mathematical skills assessed across the two Mathematical Literacy papers.
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Physical Sciences
Review the Physics and Chemistry paper content, examination weighting, required skills and the information supplied on the official data sheets.
View guideline16 pages
Tourism
Use the Tourism guideline to understand the paper structure and the knowledge, calculations and application skills assessed in tourism contexts.
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Turn the guideline into a revision checklist.
- Confirm the content and paper structure for your subject.
- Match each section to recent papers and memoranda.
- Track which topics you can answer without notes.
Using these guidelines for the 2026 exams
These are DBE 2021 examination guideline documents. They remain useful for understanding paper structure and examinable skills, but learners should also check current DBE circulars, their school and the latest examination notices for any later changes. Study Surge is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the DBE.