Home Grade 12 Mathematics
Grade 12 · CAPS · NSC 2026
Grade 12 Mathematics (CAPS) – topics, exam weighting and study time
All 11 topics of matric Mathematics, grouped by NSC exam paper, with the typical mark weighting, the study sections in each topic, the number of exam-style questions and how long each topic takes to study.
Topics 11
Study sections 59
Exam-style questions 145
Total study time ≈ 67 h 45 min
Open a topic for what it covers, how it is examined and a daily study target. See the matric exam timetable 2026 . In Grade 10 or 11? See the Grade 10 and Grade 11 Mathematics topics.
Mathematics · Paper 1
Paper 1: algebra, functions, finance, calculus and probability
Fri 23 Oct 2026 · 09:00 3 hours · 150 marks 6 topics · ≈ 38 h 25 min
Topic and exam weighting Sections Exam questions Study time
Algebra, equations & inequalities ≈ 25/150 in Paper 1 (mostly Gr 11 work + factor theorem) Sections 5 Exam questions 13 (121 marks) Study time ≈ 5 h 20 min notes 2 h 45 · exam questions 2 h 25
Show the 5 sections Gr 11 algebra revision: equations, inequalities, nature of roots 45 min Remainder and factor theorems 25 min Factorising a cubic 30 min Solving cubic equations 30 min Unknown coefficients 35 min Notes and worked examples 2 h 45 min · 13 exam-style questions (121 marks) at exam pace 2 h 25 min · quiz 10 min
Algebra and Cubic Polynomials: what it covers, how it is examined and study time
Number patterns ≈ 25/150 in Paper 1 Sections 7 Exam questions 14 (166 marks) Study time ≈ 7 h 35 min notes 4 h 05 · exam questions 3 h 20
Show the 7 sections Quadratic number patterns 35 min Arithmetic sequences and series 35 min Geometric sequences and series 35 min Sum to infinity 30 min Sigma notation 35 min Simultaneous equations and sum formulas 40 min Applications and word problems 35 min Notes and worked examples 4 h 05 min · 14 exam-style questions (166 marks) at exam pace 3 h 20 min · quiz 10 min
Sequences and Series: what it covers, how it is examined and study time
Functions & graphs ≈ 35/150 in Paper 1 (Gr 11 graphs included) Sections 6 Exam questions 12 (156 marks) Study time ≈ 6 h 35 min notes 3 h 20 · exam questions 3 h 05
Show the 6 sections Gr 11 functions revision: parabola, hyperbola, exponential 45 min The inverse of a function 35 min Exponential and logarithmic functions 35 min Reflections and transformations 30 min Relations, functions and one-to-one 25 min Logarithms in practice 30 min Notes and worked examples 3 h 20 min · 12 exam-style questions (156 marks) at exam pace 3 h 05 min · quiz 10 min
Functions and Inverses: what it covers, how it is examined and study time
Finance, growth & decay ≈ 15/150 in Paper 1 Sections 5 Exam questions 13 (114 marks) Study time ≈ 5 h 50 min notes 3 h 25 · exam questions 2 h 15
Show the 5 sections Growth, decay and interest-rate conversions 40 min Future value annuities (saving up) 35 min Present value annuities (loans and withdrawals) 35 min Outstanding balance and the final payment 45 min Sinking funds, deferred payments, missed payments and rate changes 50 min Notes and worked examples 3 h 25 min · 13 exam-style questions (114 marks) at exam pace 2 h 15 min · quiz 10 min
Financial Mathematics: what it covers, how it is examined and study time
Differential calculus ≈ 35/150 in Paper 1 Sections 8 Exam questions 14 (161 marks) Study time ≈ 8 h 20 min notes 4 h 55 · exam questions 3 h 15
Show the 8 sections Limits, average gradient and the derivative from first principles 35 min Rules of differentiation and notation 25 min Tangents to curves 35 min Interpreting the derivative: increasing, stationary points, concavity 40 min Sketching cubic graphs and finding their equations 45 min Interpreting cubic graphs and the graph of f′ 45 min Rates of change and motion 30 min Optimisation (maximum and minimum problems) 40 min Notes and worked examples 4 h 55 min · 14 exam-style questions (161 marks) at exam pace 3 h 15 min · quiz 10 min
Differential Calculus: what it covers, how it is examined and study time
Probability ≈ 15/150 in Paper 1 (Gr 11 probability + Gr 12 counting) Sections 4 Exam questions 13 (127 marks) Study time ≈ 4 h 45 min notes 2 h 05 · exam questions 2 h 30
Show the 4 sections Grade 11 revision: probability rules, Venn diagrams, trees and tables 30 min The fundamental counting principle 35 min Arrangements with restrictions 30 min Probability with the counting principle 30 min Notes and worked examples 2 h 05 min · 13 exam-style questions (127 marks) at exam pace 2 h 30 min · quiz 10 min
Counting Principle and Probability: what it covers, how it is examined and study time
Paper 1 total 6 topics · 35 sections · 79 questions · ≈ 38 h 25 min
Mathematics · Paper 2
Paper 2: statistics, analytical geometry, trigonometry and Euclidean geometry
Mon 26 Oct 2026 · 09:00 3 hours · 150 marks 5 topics · ≈ 29 h 20 min
Topic and exam weighting Sections Exam questions Study time
Statistics ≈ 20/150 in Paper 2 (Gr 11 work included) Sections 4 Exam questions 12 (117 marks) Study time ≈ 4 h 30 min notes 2 h 00 · exam questions 2 h 20
Show the 4 sections Grade 11 revision: single data sets 35 min Scatterplots and the correlation coefficient 25 min The least squares regression line 30 min Reliability: interpolation, extrapolation and outliers 30 min Notes and worked examples 2 h 00 min · 12 exam-style questions (117 marks) at exam pace 2 h 20 min · quiz 10 min
Statistics and Regression: what it covers, how it is examined and study time
Analytical geometry ≈ 40/150 in Paper 2 Sections 5 Exam questions 14 (160 marks) Study time ≈ 6 h 20 min notes 3 h 00 · exam questions 3 h 10
Show the 5 sections Lines, gradients and inclination (Gr 11 revision) 35 min Equation of a circle 30 min Tangents to circles 35 min Points, lines and circles: relative positions 35 min Integrated exam questions (circle + Euclidean theorems) 45 min Notes and worked examples 3 h 00 min · 14 exam-style questions (160 marks) at exam pace 3 h 10 min · quiz 10 min
Analytical Geometry: what it covers, how it is examined and study time
Trigonometry ≈ 50/150 in Paper 2 (with 2D/3D triangles) Sections 6 Exam questions 14 (158 marks) Study time ≈ 7 h 15 min notes 3 h 55 · exam questions 3 h 10
Show the 6 sections Gr 11 revision: reduction formulae, special angles and basic identities 35 min Compound and double angle formulae 35 min Values without a calculator: diagrams, numerical angles and letters 40 min Proving identities (and where they are undefined) 40 min General solutions and trigonometric equations 45 min Trig graphs and maximum/minimum values of expressions 40 min Notes and worked examples 3 h 55 min · 14 exam-style questions (158 marks) at exam pace 3 h 10 min · quiz 10 min
General Trigonometry: what it covers, how it is examined and study time
Part of Trigonometry ≈ 50/150 in Paper 2; the 2D/3D question is typically 10–15 marks Sections 3 Exam questions 10 (100 marks) Study time ≈ 4 h 05 min notes 1 h 55 · exam questions 2 h 00
Show the 3 sections Sine, cosine and area rules (revision) 30 min Numerical 2D and 3D problems 40 min 'Show that' problems in terms of letters 45 min Notes and worked examples 1 h 55 min · 10 exam-style questions (100 marks) at exam pace 2 h 00 min · quiz 10 min
Trigonometry in Triangles (2D and 3D): what it covers, how it is examined and study time
Euclidean geometry ≈ 40/150 in Paper 2 (Gr 11 circle theorems + Gr 12 proportion and similarity) Sections 6 Exam questions 16 (147 marks) Study time ≈ 7 h 10 min notes 4 h 05 · exam questions 2 h 55
Show the 6 sections Gr 11 circle geometry revision (theorems and reasons) 40 min Proportionality theorem and its converse 40 min Ratio of areas of triangles 35 min Similar triangles 40 min The examinable theorem proofs 45 min Rider strategy and mark allocation 45 min Notes and worked examples 4 h 05 min · 16 exam-style questions (147 marks) at exam pace 2 h 55 min · quiz 10 min
Euclidean Geometry: what it covers, how it is examined and study time
Paper 2 total 5 topics · 24 sections · 66 questions · ≈ 29 h 20 min
How the study time is estimated
Notes and worked examples: the estimate for each section, listed when you open a topic.Exam-style questions: every question in the topic's practice bank at exam pace – 1,2 minutes per mark, the pace of 150 marks in 3 hours.Quiz: 10 minutes per topic.
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