Challenging Mathematics exams spark mixed reactions among matric learners
As the 2025 NSC examinations progress, matric learners reveal their emotional struggles and mixed reactions to the challenging Mathematics papers.
Image: File: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers
As the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations reach the halfway mark, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) has commended the smooth administration of the exams across all nine provinces.
However, many learners have expressed mixed emotions over the Mathematics papers, describing them as challenging but manageable.
In a statement, the DBE reported that more than 920 000 candidates are currently writing their final examinations at 6 800 centres nationwide, with the process proceeding “smoothly, with stability, integrity, and efficiency.”
The Department acknowledged public discussions about the perceived difficulty of the 2025 Mathematics Paper 1 and Paper 2, assuring learners that all NSC papers are “carefully set to assess a full range of cognitive abilities” and that standardisation ensures “no learner is unfairly disadvantaged”.
There has been debate on social media about the examinations with some arguing that the format was different to recent years and may have “shocked” some learners. Others said there were enough standard questions to allow most learners to achieve 50%.
Learners from schools in the Amajuba District shared personal accounts about how they found the maths examinations.
For Amahle Sithole from Mzilikazi Senior Secondary School, the Mathematics papers proved emotionally taxing. “The maths papers were challenging and difficult, especially Paper 2,” she said.
“After writing, I was freaking out. Even during the exam, I cried. The invigilators were worried because I was so nervous.”
Amahle, who achieved 90% in Mathematics during the September trials and holds a conditional offer to study Medicine at Stellenbosch University, added: “Throughout the year, mathematics for me was fine. But after writing these exams, I’m not sure. I’m scared to write the papers that are still coming.”
Her classmate Andiswa Ntombela agreed that Paper 1 was the more difficult of the two. “In my opinion, Mathematics Paper 2 wasn’t as difficult compared to Paper 1. It had a mixture of higher-grade and lower-grade questions, so it was way better,” she said.
However, the demanding nature of Paper 1 affected her motivation. “Writing extremely difficult papers where there are more higher-grade questions really makes a person lose motivation for the rest of the exams,” she explained. “All the past papers from 2022, 2023, and 2024 were way easier compared to what we had to write this year as the class of 2025.”
Ayabonga Ngwenya, also from Mzilikazi Senior Secondary, shared a similar experience. “I felt like Paper 1 was more challenging than Paper 2. Paper 2 was fair there was nothing shocking, and I managed to finish it,” she said.
“After writing Paper 1, I felt very depressed because I didn’t even finish it. There were 20-mark questions that I didn’t attempt.”
Meanwhile, Sanele Buthelezi from Dedangifunde High School offered a more positive take. “Mathematics Paper 1 went really well, but I found Paper 2 a bit challenging,” he said. “Still, I managed to complete it and felt confident about how I handled the questions. Even though it was tough, it encouraged me to work harder by practising more past papers.”
Sanele, who hopes to study Computer Science at the University of the Witwatersrand, said the experience strengthened his determination. “I’m interested in maths and physics, and I’m confident I’ll be accepted,” he added.