If you are waiting for your Matric Results 2026, this guide will show you how to check your 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) results safely and quickly. You can view your results online, at school, via SMS/USSD, or on your provincial portal. We also include official release dates, what to prepare before checking, and how to request a remark or correction if needed.
When will Matric Results 2025 be released in 2026?
- 12 January 2026: The Minister of Basic Education announces the results.
- 13 January 2026: Candidates can check results online starting from 6:00am (DBE official site).
- Provincial portals may open at different times. For example:
- Western Cape: Online results from 10:00am on 13 January 2026.
- Gauteng: Results available from 6:00am.
What you need before checking your results
Make sure you have these ready:
- Your exam number (most important)
- Your ID number (needed for some SMS or app services)
- A stable internet connection if checking online
Lost your exam number? Contact your school, exam centre, or provincial education office for assistance.
How to check Matric Results 2026 (best methods)
1) Check at your school or exam centre
Your Statement of Results is available from the school or centre where you wrote your exams. This is the most reliable method, especially if online systems are slow.
Tip: Go early on 13 January 2026, as queues can be long.
2) Check online via DBE official site
The Department of Basic Education publishes results online. Go to the DBE results portal on 13 January 2026 from 6:00am.
3) Check on your provincial results portal
Some provinces have their own portals, which may load faster when national sites are busy.
- Gauteng: Results online from 13 January 2026
- Western Cape: Online viewing from 10:00am and includes remark/recheck dates
4) Check by SMS or USSD
When websites are busy, SMS or USSD is a good option. Numbers may vary by year and province, but some examples include:
- Eastern Cape USSD: 12045856#
- Eastern Cape SMS: 45856 (charges apply)
- Other common options: 35658 (confirm with your province before using)
If your results don’t appear online
Sometimes results are missing due to technical issues.
What to do:
- Don’t panic
- Go to your school/exam centre where you wrote
- If still unresolved, contact your district/provincial office within 30 days
- DBE allows result queries for investigation within 30 days of release
Remark / Recheck / Corrections
If you think your results are wrong, you can apply for a remark or correction:
- Check your provincial portal for official dates
- Western Cape example: Remark applications open 13–27 January 2026
- Ensure your names and ID number are correct on your statement
- Any corrections must be submitted by 20 February 2026
- Remark/recheck results will be released 13 March 2026
Future Career Paths
Once you receive your Matric Results 2026, you can explore:
- Further studies: University, TVET college, or learnerships
- Work opportunities: Internships, WIL programmes, or entry-level jobs
- Skills development: Short courses, apprenticeships, or vocational training