Grade 12 · Life Sciences · Paper 2 · CAPS
Meiosis – Grade 12 Life Sciences (Paper 2)
What Meiosis 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
- 9
- Marks of practice
- 108
- Study time
- ≈ 4 h 40 min
What it covers
Meiosis 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: Chromosomes, haploid and diploid cells, and where meiosis happens; Interphase and meiosis I; Meiosis II; Crossing over, random arrangement and the importance of meiosis; Abnormal meiosis (non-disjunction, Down syndrome) and mitosis vs meiosis.
How it is examined
- Paper
- Life Sciences Paper 2 – Monday 16 November 2026, 09:00 (2½ hours, 150 marks)
- Weighting
- Meiosis ≈ 21/150 marks in Paper 2 (14%)
Mark splits are typical, not fixed – they vary a little from year to year.
Sections to study
- Chromosomes, haploid and diploid cells, and where meiosis happens25 min
- Interphase and meiosis I35 min
- Meiosis II25 min
- Crossing over, random arrangement and the importance of meiosis25 min
- Abnormal meiosis (non-disjunction, Down syndrome) and mitosis vs meiosis30 min
Study time
| Notes and worked examples5 sections | 2 h 20 min |
|---|---|
| Exam-style questions9 questions · 108 marks × 1,2 min per mark | 2 h 10 min |
| Topic quiz | 10 min |
| Total | ≈ 4 h 40 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 Meiosis (108 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 Meiosis? Book a one-on-one lesson.
R250 per hour – 60, 90 or 120 minutes, online from anywhere in South Africa. Pick Meiosis as your topic; you pay by EFT only after the tutor confirms.
Related Life Sciences P2 topics
Questions about Meiosis
How many marks is Meiosis worth in the matric exam?
In Life Sciences Paper 2 (2½ hours, 150 marks) the usual weighting is: Meiosis ≈ 21/150 marks in Paper 2 (14%). The exact marks change a little from year to year.
How long does it take to study Meiosis?
About 4 h 40 min: 2 h 20 min for the notes and worked examples in its 5 sections, 2 h 10 min for the 9 exam-style questions (108 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 Meiosis?
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 Meiosis as your topic. You pay by EFT only after the tutor confirms the booking.