Past papers / Grade 12 / English
CAPS English Grade 12 Past Papers
English Home Language papers test language structures (Paper 1), literature (Paper 2), and writing (Paper 3). Practise each paper separately, then review the marking guidelines so you know how content, structure and language marks are split.
Need help with Grade 12 English?
Practise with past papers, then book a CAPS tutor for guided walkthroughs, exam technique, and a plan for the topics you keep losing marks on.
2026 exam dates
National Senior Certificate dates for English Home Language from the Department of Basic Education timetable. Confirm your own centre, start time and permit with your school.
| Paper | Date | Start | Duration | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 3 | Thu 15 Oct 2026 | 09:00 | 3 hours | 100 |
| Paper 1 | Wed 28 Oct 2026 | 09:00 | 2 hours | 70 |
| Paper 2 | Thu 19 Nov 2026 | 09:00 | 2½ hours | 80 |
Source: DBE Oct/Nov 2026 NSC timetable
What each paper covers
Topic weightings summarised from the CAPS examination guidelines so you can prioritise revision. Exact questions change each year - use this as a map, not a prediction.
Paper 1 (Language in context) - 70 marks (2 hours)
Paper 1 tests comprehension, summary and language structures. Read the texts twice before answering, quote or paraphrase as the instruction asks, and watch instruction verbs (identify, discuss, critically comment). Summary marks vanish when you exceed the word count or copy whole sentences.
- Comprehension30 marks
- Summary10 marks
- Language structures and conventions30 marks
Paper 2 (Literature) - 80 marks (2½ hours)
Paper 2 is literature - poetry, novel/drama and related contextual or essay responses for your set works. Plan essays before writing, use short embedded quotes, and answer the question asked rather than retelling the plot.
- Poetry (seen and unseen as applicable)30 marks
- Novel / drama contextual and essay responses50 marks
Paper 3 (Writing) - 100 marks (3 hours)
Paper 3 is the writing paper - essay plus transactional texts. Choose a topic you can sustain for the full length, paragraph for clarity, and match register to the text type (formal letter, article, speech, and so on). Leave time to proofread for language marks.
- Essay50 marks
- Transactional writing (longer and shorter texts)50 marks
Papers and memos by year
2025 May/June
English Home Language - 2025 May/June NSC/SC. Direct PDF links open the DBE file where available; otherwise the session page lists every subject pack.
2025 November
English Home Language - 2025 November NSC. Direct PDF links open the DBE file where available; otherwise the session page lists every subject pack.
2024 May/June
English Home Language - 2024 May/June NSC/SC. Direct PDF links open the DBE file where available; otherwise the session page lists every subject pack.
2024 November
English Home Language - 2024 November NSC. Direct PDF links open the DBE file where available; otherwise the session page lists every subject pack.
2023 May/June
English Home Language - 2023 May/June NSC/SC. Direct PDF links open the DBE file where available; otherwise the session page lists every subject pack.
2023 November
English Home Language - 2023 November NSC. Direct PDF links open the DBE file where available; otherwise the session page lists every subject pack.
2022 May/June
English Home Language - 2022 May/June NSC/SC. Direct PDF links open the DBE file where available; otherwise the session page lists every subject pack.
2022 November
English Home Language - 2022 November NSC. Direct PDF links open the DBE file where available; otherwise the session page lists every subject pack.
2021 May/June
English Home Language - 2021 May/June NSC/SC. Direct PDF links open the DBE file where available; otherwise the session page lists every subject pack.
2021 November
English Home Language - 2021 November NSC. Direct PDF links open the DBE file where available; otherwise the session page lists every subject pack.
2020 November
English Home Language - 2020 November NSC. Direct PDF links open the DBE file where available; otherwise the session page lists every subject pack.
2019 May/June
English Home Language - 2019 May/June NSC. Direct PDF links open the DBE file where available; otherwise the session page lists every subject pack.
2019 November
English Home Language - 2019 November NSC. Direct PDF links open the DBE file where available; otherwise the session page lists every subject pack.
2018 Supplementary
English Home Language - 2018 Supplementary (Feb/March). Direct PDF links open the DBE file where available; otherwise the session page lists every subject pack.
- Paper 1Question paper (DBE session)Memo (DBE session)
- Paper 2Question paper (DBE session)Memo (DBE session)
- Paper 3Question paper (DBE session)Memo (DBE session)
Open full 2018 Supplementary (Feb/March) pack on education.gov.za
Need help with Grade 12 English?
Practise with past papers, then book a CAPS tutor for guided walkthroughs, exam technique, and a plan for the topics you keep losing marks on.