Grade 12 · Life Sciences · Paper 2 · CAPS
Human Evolution – Grade 12 Life Sciences (Paper 2)
What Human Evolution covers, how it is examined in Life Sciences Paper 2, the 4 sections to study and how long it takes – plus live online lessons when you get stuck.
- Study sections
- 4
- Exam-style questions
- 9
- Marks of practice
- 107
- Study time
- ≈ 4 h 20 min
What it covers
Human Evolution 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 4 sections: Humans as primates: phylogeny and shared characteristics; Humans compared with African apes: skull, teeth and bipedalism; Fossil evidence: Ardipithecus, Australopithecus and Homo; Out of Africa: fossils, mitochondrial DNA and tools.
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 Evolution by natural selection
Mark splits are typical, not fixed – they vary a little from year to year.
Sections to study
- Humans as primates: phylogeny and shared characteristics25 min
- Humans compared with African apes: skull, teeth and bipedalism35 min
- Fossil evidence: Ardipithecus, Australopithecus and Homo35 min
- Out of Africa: fossils, mitochondrial DNA and tools25 min
Study time
| Notes and worked examples4 sections | 2 h 00 min |
|---|---|
| Exam-style questions9 questions · 107 marks × 1,2 min per mark | 2 h 10 min |
| Topic quiz | 10 min |
| Total | ≈ 4 h 20 min |
Life Sciences Paper 2 is written on Monday 16 November 2026 at 09:00.
What you get in the portal
- 9 exam-style questions on Human Evolution (107 marks in total), each with a full marking memo
- Worked exam-style answers, point by point, with labelled diagrams for each of the 4 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 Human Evolution? Book a one-on-one lesson.
R250 per hour – 60, 90 or 120 minutes, online from anywhere in South Africa. Pick Human Evolution as your topic; you pay by EFT only after the tutor confirms.
Related Life Sciences P2 topics
Questions about Human Evolution
How many marks is Human Evolution 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 Evolution by natural selection. The exact marks change a little from year to year.
How long does it take to study Human Evolution?
About 4 h 20 min: 2 h 00 min for the notes and worked examples in its 4 sections, 2 h 10 min for the 9 exam-style questions (107 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 Human Evolution?
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 Human Evolution as your topic. You pay by EFT only after the tutor confirms the booking.