Grade 12 Past Exam Papers and Memos (CAPS) – Download Term 1 to Term 4 PDFs

Past Papers Grade 12 – 2025, 2024, and 2023

Past Papers Grade 12: Hello Grade 12 2025 Learners. On this page you will find the Grade 12 past exam papers and memos for all CAPS subjects, including Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Accounting, Business Studies, Economics, Geography, History, English, Afrikaans, IsiZulu, Sesotho, and others. These papers are organised by subject and cover Term 1, Term 2, Term 3, and Term 4, including June exams, trial exams, and final NSC exams. Every paper follows the CAPS curriculum and comes with a memo, making them ideal for final revision, exam practice, and marking guidance. These are the same papers used across South African schools, and they are key to preparing for the real Grade 12 exams.

Attention: Grade 12 June 2025 Papers have just been loaded!

Past Papers Grade 12 and Memos – Download All Subjects (CAPS)

Here are all the Grade 12 past exam papers and memos grouped by subject. These include Term 1, Term 2, Term 3, and Term 4 papers, with marking guidelines, based on the CAPS curriculum.

SubjectWhat is Included
Accounting Grade 12Paper 1 only. Includes June, September, and Final exams with memos.
Afrikaans FAL Grade 12Includes Paper 1 (Comprehension), Paper 2 (Literature), and Paper 3 (Writing).
Agricultural Management Practices Grade 12Only Paper 1 is written. Includes all available exams with memos.
Agricultural Sciences Grade 12Paper 1 and Paper 2 with memos. Covers full curriculum content.
Business Studies Grade 12Paper 1 only. Includes structured questions and essays with memos.
Computer Applications Technology (CAT) Grade 12
Civil Technology Grade 12
Consumer Studies Grade 12Only Paper 1 is written. All terms and marking guidelines available.
Dramatic Arts Grade 12Paper 1 only. Covers theory, analysis, and essays.
Economics Grade 12Includes Paper 1 and Paper 2. Covers micro, macro and global economics.
Engineering Graphics and Designs Grade 12
English HL and FAL Grade 12Includes Paper 1 (Comprehension), Paper 2 (Literature), and Paper 3 (Essays).
Geography Grade 12Paper 1 (Theory) and Paper 2 (Mapwork). Full coverage of all terms.
History Grade 12Includes Paper 1 and Paper 2. Essays and source-based questions included.
IsiZulu Language Grade 12
Information Technology Grade 12
Life Orientation Grade 12Not an exam paper. Includes PATs and task-based assessments.
Life Sciences Grade 12Paper 1 and Paper 2. Covers topics like DNA, evolution, human systems.
Mathematics Grade 12Paper 1 (Algebra and Calculus) and Paper 2 (Geometry and Stats).
Mathematical Literacy Grade 12Paper 1 (Basic Calculations) and Paper 2 (Data and Applications).
Mechanical Technology Grade 12
Music Grade 12
Physical Sciences Grade 12Paper 1 (Physics) and Paper 2 (Chemistry). Includes DBE and provinces.
Religion Studies Grade 12Paper 1 only. Covers themes, beliefs, and critical thinking.
Sesotho HL FAL Grade 12
Setswana Language Grade 12
Tourism Grade 12Only Paper 1 is written. Covers culture, maps, and tourism trends.
Technical Mathematics Grade 12Paper 1 and Paper 2. Similar to pure Maths with technical applications.
Technical Sciences Grade 12Paper 1 (Mechanics) and Paper 2 (Chemistry). DBE and provincial coverage.
Tshivenda Language Grade 12
Visual Arts Grade 12
Xitsonga Language Grade 12

How to Use These Grade 12 Past Papers

At studypapers.co.za, we have invested some great efforts in collecting almost all Grade 12 past exam question papers from various educational departments such as the Department of Basic Education, Gauteng Department of Education, Western Cape Education Department, KwaZulu-Natal Education, and a few more provinces. We did this to help all South African Grade 12 learners with their studies and give them real access to the actual exam questions they are likely to face.

How to Use These Grade 12 Past Papers
How to Use These Grade 12 Past Papers

Every year, each time students are done writing exams, the schools often collect back all these papers and just keep them in the storeroom. Why do they do this? Honestly, we really do not know. Maybe they are saving paper, maybe they are hiding them, maybe it is just admin.

So we made these papers available here, for free, so that every Grade 12 learner can revise, practise, and prepare without having to beg the school or hunt for old photocopies.

What You Need to Use These Papers

To use these papers, you will need:

  • A phone or laptop that can open PDF files
  • Data or Wi-Fi to download them (the files are not too big)
  • A quiet study space or even just a chair in the corner
  • Pen and paper to try answering first before checking the memo

Each Grade 12 subject page includes a list of downloadable PDF question papers, sorted by:

  • Year
  • Term (Term 1, Term 2, Term 3, and Term 4)
  • Exam type (June, September, and Final NSC)

Most of the papers also come with memos. This way you do not just guess. You actually mark your work the same way examiners would. That is the only way to know if you are ready.

Why Most Grade 12 Papers Also Include Afrikaans Versions

Have you ever realised that most of Grade 12 past exam question papers have English and Afrikaans versions? However, you will never see a Tshivenda version of the Business Studies Grade 12 question paper. Why?

If you check the national papers carefully, you will see that English, of course, is the primary language of teaching across most South African schools, while Afrikaans is also used in many schools as the language of learning and teaching. Other official languages such as isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sesotho, Setswana, Tshivenda, Xitsonga and the rest are usually used as home languages, but not as the main language of teaching for Grade 12 subjects like Maths, Physical Sciences, or Economics.

Another reason to have Grade 12 question papers in both English and Afrikaans is that the Department of Basic Education wants to make sure that no learner is disadvantaged based on the language they are taught in. These are the two languages historically used in South African education — so papers are printed in both.

But going forward, this might change. As more schools adopt mother tongue education in the lower grades, there is growing pressure to offer exam papers in more languages.

Frequently Asked Questions About Grade 12 Past Papers

  1. Can I use these Grade 12 past papers to prepare for finals?

    Yes, most learners use past papers as their main revision tool for final exams. You will find June, September, and Final papers with memos to practise with.

  2. Are the answer memos included with each paper?

    Yes, every subject page includes both the question papers and the official memos where available.

  3. Which provinces are covered in these past papers?

    Most subjects have papers from all provinces including Gauteng, Western Cape, Limpopo, Free State, and more. Some are national NSC papers from DBE.

  4. Do these papers follow the latest Grade 12 exam format?

    Yes. The papers follow the CAPS structure and are similar to what is currently used in NSC exams.

  5. Can I download the papers without signing up?

    Yes, you do not need to create an account. All downloads are free and open.

  6. What if I cannot open the PDF files?

    Make sure you have a PDF viewer installed on your device. Most phones and computers open them automatically, but you can also use Google Drive to preview.

  7. How many years of past papers are available?

    You will find papers going as far back as 2015 in some subjects. Most subjects include papers from the last 3 to 5 years.

  8. Can I use these for self-study or tutoring?

    Absolutely. Many tutors and learners use these papers for extra practice, revision sessions, and test preparation.

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