Physical Science Grade 12 Past Papers 2026

On this page, you will find the complete collection of Grade 12 Physical Sciences past papers from 2025 back to 2017. These include DBE final exams, June mid-year papers, trial exams, and supplementary papers. All papers are available to download for free on StudyPapers.co.za.

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Term 4 (Finals) | Term 3 (Trials) | Term 2 (June) | Term 1 (March) | Study Guides

Term 4: Physical Sciences Grade 12 November NSC Final Exam Papers

Download official NSC final exam papers for Physical Sciences. Practice with Paper 1 (Physics) and Paper 2 (Chemistry) from 2023 back to 2021, featuring official marking guidelines.

YearPaper 1 (Physics)Paper 2 (Chemistry)
2023Eng Paper | Memo
Afr Vraestel
Eng Paper | Memo
Afr Vraestel
2022Eng Paper | Memo
Afr Vraestel
Eng Paper | Memo
Afr Vraestel
2021Eng Paper | Memo
Afr Vraestel
Eng Paper | Memo
Afr Vraestel

Term 3: Physical Sciences Grade 12 Preparatory (Trial) Exam Papers

Get ready for trial exams with the latest 2025 September Preparatory papers. This section covers trial exams for Paper 1 and Paper 2 with official memos for both English and Afrikaans medium schools.

YearPaper 1 (Physics)Paper 2 (Chemistry)
2025Eng QP | Memo (EA)
Afr QP
Eng QP | Memo (EA)
Afr QP
2024Combined Memo (Eng/Afr)Combined Memo (Eng/Afr)
2023Eng QP | Memo
Afr QP | Xhosa | Sesotho
Eng QP | Memo
Afr QP | Xhosa | Sesotho
2022Eng QP | Memo (EA)
Afr QP
Eng QP | Memo (EA)
Afr QP

Term 2: Physical Sciences Grade 12 June Mid-Year Exam Papers

Practice for mid-year exams with the massive 2025 June collection, featuring Paper 1 and Paper 2 resources for NSC and provincial departments.

YearPaper 1 (Physics)Paper 2 (Chemistry)
2025Eng Paper | Memo (EA)
Afr Vraestel
National: NSC June Paper
Eng Paper | Memo (EA)
Afr Vraestel
National: NSC June Paper
2024Eng QP | Memo | Err
Afr QP
Eng QP | Memo | Err
Afr QP
2023Eng Paper | Memo (EA)
Afr Paper
Eng Paper | Memo (EA)
2022Eng Paper | Memo (EA)
Afr Paper
Eng Paper | Memo (EA)
Afr Paper
2021Eng Paper | Memo (EA)
Afr Paper
Eng Paper | Memo (EA)
Afr Paper

Term 1: Physical Sciences Grade 12 March Test Papers (Controlled Tests)

Get a head start on your curriculum with official March Controlled Tests. Includes the latest 2025 papers from KZN, Free State, Mpumalanga, and North West.

YearProvince / ResourceDownload Links
2025KZN / Free State (FS)KZN March QP & Memo
Free State QP & Memo
Mpumalanga (MP) / North West (NW)MP March QP & Memo
NW March QP & Memo
Eastern Cape / LimpopoEC QP Only | LP Pack | LP QP Only
2024KwaZulu-Natal (KZN)KZN March QP & Memo
2017National (DBE)P1 Eng | V1 Afr | Memo (EA)
P2 Eng | V2 Afr | Memo (EA)

Free Physical Science Grade 12 Study Guides

Master the laws of Physics and the intricacies of Organic Chemistry with official “Mind the Gap” study guides. These are essential for tackling difficult Paper 1 and Paper 2 questions.

Physics (Paper 1)

Chemistry (Paper 2)

These Grade 12 Physical Sciences past papers are not just for revision. They are your most powerful tool to practise real exam questions, test your readiness, and learn from the most common mistakes other learners made. If you are serious about improving your marks, then this is where your real studying begins.

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 Papers

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Why You Cannot Pass Without Using Grade 12 Physical Sciences Past Papers

In 2024, the national pass rate for Grade 12 Physical Sciences dropped from 76,2% to 75,6%. The number of learners achieving distinctions (Level 7) dropped from 6 398 to 5 620. These numbers confirm that Physical Sciences is getting more difficult every year.

The most common reason learners failed was because they could not apply content to unfamiliar problems. This is where Grade 12 Physical Sciences past papers give you the edge. They expose you to how each topic is asked, where learners lose marks, and how to structure your answers under exam pressure.

What You Learn by Working Through Grade 12 Physical Sciences Past Papers

Let us break down what the 2024 Diagnostic Report revealed about Paper 1 and Paper 2, and how past papers help:

Paper 1: Physics – Topics Learners Struggled With

  • Projectile Motion (Q3): Learners could not interpret motion graphs or use equations of motion correctly. Past papers help you practise questions with graphs and real data.
  • Electric Circuits (Q8): Many learners ignored basic concepts from Grade 11. Past papers repeatedly test these.
  • Photoelectric Effect (Q10): This question had the lowest average marks. The solution? Use past papers to memorise formulas and apply them through different scenarios.
  • Common mistakes: No units, leaving out subscripts, copying wrong formula from the data sheet, and not rounding off to two decimals. Grade 12 Physical Sciences past papers give you exact exam-style practice so you stop losing marks for small errors.

Paper 2: Chemistry – Where Learners Lost Marks

  • Titrations (Q7): Learners failed to show understanding of the full procedure. Past papers walk you through actual titration questions.
  • Redox Reactions and Electrochemistry (Q8 & Q9): These were the worst answered questions. If you use at least 3 past exam papers, you will see clear patterns in how this section is asked.
  • Stoichiometry and pH Calculations: Learners struggled with calculator steps and formula application. Past papers show you real calculation questions, from rate of reaction to Kc and Kw.
  • Time management was also a major issue. Many did not finish the paper. Past papers help you practise full 3-hour sessions with real pressure.

Structure of Each Grade 12 Physical Sciences Past Paper

Each year, you write:

  • Paper 1 (Physics) – 150 marks
  • Paper 2 (Chemistry) – 150 marks

Topics covered in Paper 1:

  • Newton’s Laws
  • Momentum and Impulse
  • Vertical Projectile Motion
  • Work, Energy and Power
  • Doppler Effect
  • Electric Circuits and Electrodynamics
  • Photoelectric Effect

Topics covered in Paper 2:

  • Organic Molecules and Reactions
  • Rates of Reaction
  • Chemical Equilibrium (Kc)
  • Acids and Bases
  • Redox and Electrochemical Cells

When you use Grade 12 Physical Sciences past papers, focus on one topic at a time. Then move to full papers to build speed and strategy.

How to Use This Page to Study Smart

Every past paper on StudyPapers.co.za includes:

  • The question paper
  • The memorandum
  • A clear year and term label (e.g. June 2024, Trial 2023)

Here is how you benefit:

  • Match past paper questions to topics you are doing in class
  • Track which topics you get wrong and improve only those
  • Learn how each topic is marked and how not to lose silly marks
  • Prepare for integrated questions by seeing how two or more topics are combined in one question

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