Umalusi says South Africa’s 2026 year-end examination system is broadly ready, with 1.08 million candidates registered across 9,183 centres and safeguards in place nationwide for delivery.
The quality assurance body completed its state-of-readiness audit between 24 August and 30 September, assessing candidate registration, examination centre staffing, question-paper security, marking systems and procedures for managing irregularities. The audit covered examinations administered by the Department of Basic Education, Department of Higher Education and Training, Independent Examinations Board and South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute.
Approximately 1,079,879 candidates are registered across the qualifications falling within Umalusi’s quality assurance mandate, with National Senior Certificate candidates accounting for about 92% of the total. The National Senior Certificate remains the largest examination, with 989,141 candidates registered across the DBE, IEB and SACAI systems.
All candidates have received examination admission letters and timetables, while eligible learners have been granted accommodations including extra time, braille question papers and large-print material. The examinations will be written at 9,183 centres nationally, including 7,403 centres handling National Senior Certificate examinations.
Umalusi has externally moderated and approved 283 subject question papers across the qualifications and assessment bodies under its oversight, confirming that they meet requirements for validity, fairness and reliability. The organisation said printing of examination material is taking place according to approved plans, while security arrangements covering printing, packaging, storage and distribution have also been assessed.
Detailed security protocols are not made public, but Umalusi said adequate measures are in place and regular monitoring visits will continue during the examination period. Examination centres have also been classified according to risk levels, with resident monitors expected to be deployed at high-risk centres alongside ongoing Umalusi oversight.
The audit found that assessment bodies had adequately trained invigilation personnel to conduct and manage the examinations. Some areas will continue to receive attention. The Department of Basic Education reported shortages of markers in Afrikaans Home Language, English Home Language and History, but Umalusi said plans to start marking earlier and phase the process should mitigate the risk. The Department of Higher Education and Training is still finalising its marker appointments, with Umalusi expected to pronounce on its marking capacity by 19 October.
Mark-capturing systems across all four assessment bodies were found to comply with Umalusi requirements. A double-entry process will be used, with one official capturing marks and another verifying them, while all mark capturers will be trained before the process begins.
Umalusi said the concerns identified during its audit were not systemic and did not threaten the overall credibility or integrity of the 2026 examinations. Corrective measures are being implemented where necessary and will continue to be monitored throughout the examination period.
The quality assurance body remains concerned about recurring irregularities involving Integrated Summative Assessment Tasks, Practical Assessment Tasks and Internal Continuous Assessments at DHET colleges. It said officials will be deployed to monitor compliance and ensure that examinations are conducted according to the relevant regulations.
Umalusi has also warned schools and principals against preventing registered candidates from writing particular subjects in an attempt to improve institutional examination results. The practice is unlawful, and learners, parents and guardians have been encouraged to report any such incidents immediately.
The 2026 examination timetable has also been adjusted to accommodate the local government elections scheduled for 4 November. Umalusi will work with assessment bodies, provincial education departments and other stakeholders to limit disruption from political activity around schools and examination centres.
Once examinations begin, Umalusi will monitor the writing process, sample marking and verify marking in selected subjects. Results will then undergo standardisation and final quality assurance before the Executive Committee of Council decides whether they can be released. That decision is scheduled to be announced on 8 January 2027, with certificates expected to be issued to successful candidates within three months, subject to assessment bodies submitting certification data on time.
Umalusi has also reflected on lessons from the 2025 examination period following an investigation into a breach involving Mathematics, Physical Sciences and English Home Language papers. The National Investigative Task Team found that, among approximately 600,000 candidates who wrote the affected subjects nationally, the breach was limited to 40 Pretoria-based candidates.
As the Class of 2026 prepares for the final stage of the academic year, Umalusi has called on communities, parents, teachers and other stakeholders to protect the integrity of the examination period and support candidates. Its message to learners is to approach the examinations with confidence, discipline and integrity as they complete one of the most important stages of their schooling journey.
