On this page, you will find the full collection of Mathematical Literacy Grade 12 past papers, going back from 2025 to 2017. These include the DBE final exam papers, June mid-year papers, trial exams, and supplementary papers, available for free download on StudyPapers.co.za.
If you want to pass or improve your mark in Mathematical Literacy, you must start working through Mathematical Literacy Grade 12 past papers. The 2024 exam results showed a small improvement, but the same avoidable mistakes are still costing learners marks every year.
Why You Should Practise with Mathematical Literacy Grade 12 Past Papers
In 2024, over 20 000 more learners wrote Grade 12 Mathematical Literacy than in 2023. The national pass rate increased from 82,3% to 86,1%, and distinctions rose from 2,1% to 2,8%. That is good news, but here is the reality: over 13% of learners still failed Maths Lit Grade 12. The main reason? They did not know how to apply Maths Literacy concepts in real-life problems.
This is exactly what Mathematical Literacy Grade 12 past papers are designed to help you fix.
When you practise past papers:
- You learn how to handle unfamiliar contexts confidently
- You understand what the instructions in the question really want
- You avoid basic errors like using the wrong unit, formula, or conversion factor
Looking for All Grade 12 Past Papers?
Access every Grade 12 subject in one place — past exam papers, memos, and more from 2015 to 2025. All free to download.
Browse All Grade 12 PapersMathematical Literacy Grade 12 Past Papers and Memos
2025 Papers
Grade 12 Maths Literacy – March 2025 (Term 1)
This section includes full March 2025 question papers and memos from various provinces. Some files are combined (question paper and memo), while others are separate or include special tasks like investigations.
March 2025 Papers and Memos
| Document | Download Link |
|---|---|
| EC Joe – Question Paper and Memo (Combined PDF) | Download PDF |
| KZN – Question Paper and Memo (Combined PDF) | Download PDF |
| LP Capricorn North – Question Paper Only | Download PDF |
| LP Sekhukhune East – Term 1 Investigation and Memo | Download PDF |
| MP Bohlabela – Question Paper and Memo (Combined PDF) | Download PDF |
Grade 12 Maths Literacy – May/June 2025 (Term 2)
This section contains official NSC mid-year papers for Paper 1 and Paper 2. These are ideal for revision and formal test preparation.
May/June 2025 Papers
| Document | Download Link |
|---|---|
| Paper 1 – NSC May/June 2025 | Download PDF |
| Paper 2 – NSC May/June 2025 | Download PDF |
2024 Papers
Mathematical Literacy Grade 12 November 2024 Term 4 Past Papers
The past papers below are for Mathematical Literacy Grade 12 November 2024 Term 4 exams. Download question papers and memos below:
Grade 12 Maths Literacy – September 2024
This section includes Paper 1 and Paper 2 memos for Grade 12 Mathematical Literacy. All papers are available in English and Afrikaans, with errata files where corrections were issued.
Paper 1
Paper 2
Grade 12 Maths Literacy – September 2024
Paper 1 (September 2024)
Paper 2 (September 2024)
Grade 12 Maths Literacy – June 2024
Paper 1 (June 2024)
- Question Paper (Afrikaans)
- Question Paper (English)
- Memo (Afrikaans)
- Memo (English)
- Erratum (Paper 1)
Paper 2 (June 2024)
- Question Paper (Afrikaans)
- Question Paper (English)
- Memo (Afrikaans)
- Memo (English)
- Addendum (Afrikaans)
- Addendum (English)
- Erratum (Paper 2)
Grade 12 Maths Literacy – March 2024
2022 Exam Papers
Grade 12 Mathematical Literacy – November 2022 (Term 4)
This section contains all Paper 1 and Paper 2 downloads for the 2022 final NSC exams. Both English and Afrikaans versions are included, along with marking guidelines and addendums.
Paper 1 – November 2022
| Document | Download Link |
|---|---|
| Addendum (Afrikaans) | Download PDF |
| Addendum (English) | Download PDF |
| Question Paper (Afrikaans) | Download PDF |
| Question Paper (English) | Download PDF |
| Marking Guideline (Afrikaans & English) | Download PDF |
Paper 2 – November 2022
| Document | Download Link |
|---|---|
| Addendum (Afrikaans) | Download PDF |
| Addendum (Afrikaans) – Alt Version | Download PDF |
| Addendum (English) | Download PDF |
| Question Paper (Afrikaans) | Download PDF |
| Question Paper (English) | Download PDF |
2022 September Term 3
Paper 1:
Paper 2:
2022 June Term 2
Paper 1:
Paper 2:
2021 Exam Papers
2021 November Term 4
Paper 1:
Paper 2:
2021 September Term 3
Paper 1:
Paper 2:
2021 June Term 2
Paper 1:
Paper 2:
2017 Exam Papers
2017 March Term 1
Free Mathematical Literacy Grade 12 Study Guides:
Mind the Gap Study guides:
What You Will See in the Mathematical Literacy Grade 12 Exam
You will write two full papers:
- Paper 1 focuses on:
- Finance
- Data Handling
- Probability
- Paper 2 focuses on:
- Maps and Plans
- Measurements
- Probability (applied in real-world settings)
Each paper is 150 marks, and each question usually includes a combination of skills.
Common Mistakes Seen in 2024 – All Fixable with Past Paper Practice
In Maths Lit Paper 1:
- Learners confused area and capacity (Q1.1.4)
- Many used wrong values in finance questions, especially when calculating interest (Q5.2: only 17% average)
- In data handling, most learners could not read or interpret tables correctly (Q3.2: 34%)
- Probability was poorly answered because learners could not link the concept to everyday examples
In Maths Lit Paper 2:
- Learners gave written directions instead of a general compass direction (Q2.1.3)
- Elevation, capacity, and shape-based calculations were poorly answered due to confusion between volume and area (Q1.1.2, Q1.3.2)
- Conversions between units (like mm to cm or m² to litres) were commonly incorrect (Q1.3.5)
- In Q2.1.5, learners misunderstood the word exactly in a probability context — a mistake that repeated across multiple provinces
You will see the exact same patterns in past exam papers. That is why practising them teaches you the format, the language of the question, and how to answer to get marks.
How to Use These Mathematical Literacy Grade 12 Past Papers
Every paper on StudyPapers.co.za comes with:
- A complete PDF of the question paper
- The full memo with all calculations
- Clear labelling by year and term (e.g. June 2024, Final 2023)
To improve:
- Start with short questions in Paper 1 and move to full sections
- Use the memos to mark your work and spot where you are losing marks
- Focus on Finance and Measurement questions: these are tested the most and where most marks are lost
- Practise reading instructions carefully and always highlight the key word like maximum, exactly, or show all working
Other Grade 12 Papers
We have a large collection of past papers for all Grade 12 subjects. Use the search box below or browse the full list of subjects.
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