Grade 12 · Life Sciences · Paper 2 · CAPS
Evolution by Natural Selection – Grade 12 Life Sciences (Paper 2)
What Evolution by Natural Selection covers, how it is examined in Life Sciences Paper 2, the 5 sections to study and how long it takes – plus live online lessons when you get stuck.
- Study sections
- 5
- Exam-style questions
- 10
- Marks of practice
- 127
- Study time
- ≈ 5 h 10 min
What it covers
Evolution by Natural Selection is a Grade 12 Life Sciences topic in the CAPS curriculum, examined in Life Sciences Paper 2 of the NSC exams. You study it in 5 sections: Evolution as a theory, and the evidence for evolution; Variation – the raw material for evolution; Lamarck, Darwin and punctuated equilibrium; Artificial selection, speciation and reproductive isolation; Evolution in present times: resistance.
How it is examined
- Paper
- Life Sciences Paper 2 – Monday 16 November 2026, 09:00 (2½ hours, 150 marks)
- Weighting
- Evolution ≈ 54/150 marks in Paper 2 (36%), shared with Human evolution
Mark splits are typical, not fixed – they vary a little from year to year.
Sections to study
- Evolution as a theory, and the evidence for evolution30 min
- Variation – the raw material for evolution25 min
- Lamarck, Darwin and punctuated equilibrium35 min
- Artificial selection, speciation and reproductive isolation35 min
- Evolution in present times: resistance25 min
Study time
| Notes and worked examples5 sections | 2 h 30 min |
|---|---|
| Exam-style questions10 questions · 127 marks × 1,2 min per mark | 2 h 30 min |
| Topic quiz | 10 min |
| Total | ≈ 5 h 10 min |
Life Sciences Paper 2 is written on Monday 16 November 2026 at 09:00.
What you get in the portal
- 10 exam-style questions on Evolution by Natural Selection (127 marks in total), each with a full marking memo
- Worked exam-style answers, point by point, with labelled diagrams for each of the 5 sections
- Tutor notes added to sections and questions – for the whole class or just for you
- A topic quiz, mock papers and a study plan that counts down to Life Sciences Paper 2
Notes, worked examples, questions and memos open once the tutor approves your account – usually with your first confirmed lesson.
Stuck on Evolution by Natural Selection? Book a one-on-one lesson.
R250 per hour – 60, 90 or 120 minutes, online from anywhere in South Africa. Pick Evolution by Natural Selection as your topic; you pay by EFT only after the tutor confirms.
Related Life Sciences P2 topics
Questions about Evolution by Natural Selection
How many marks is Evolution by Natural Selection worth in the matric exam?
In Life Sciences Paper 2 (2½ hours, 150 marks) the usual weighting is: Evolution ≈ 54/150 marks in Paper 2 (36%), shared with Human evolution. The exact marks change a little from year to year.
How long does it take to study Evolution by Natural Selection?
About 5 h 10 min: 2 h 30 min for the notes and worked examples in its 5 sections, 2 h 30 min for the 10 exam-style questions (127 marks) at 1,2 minutes per mark, and a 10-minute quiz.
When is the Life Sciences Paper 2 exam in 2026?
Life Sciences Paper 2 is written on Monday 16 November 2026 at 09:00 and lasts 2½ hours (150 marks), according to the DBE’s 2026 NSC timetable. Confirm the date with your school, because the DBE can amend the timetable.
Can I get online lessons for Evolution by Natural Selection?
Yes. Create a free account in the Adventuity portal, request a one-on-one online lesson of 60, 90 or 120 minutes (or a seat in a group class) and choose Evolution by Natural Selection as your topic. You pay by EFT only after the tutor confirms the booking.