Geography Grade 12 Exam Guidelines and Scope for 2026: To excel in the Geography Grade 12 final exams in 2026, learners must master the physical processes that shape our environment and the human systems that organize our society. While the official 2026 Department of Basic Education (DBE) examination timetable is typically finalized mid-year, these Exam Guidelines provide the definitive structure for your revision.
Geography remains a high-stakes subject that requires a balance of theoretical knowledge and practical application through mapwork and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) analysis.
Download Geography Grade 12 Exam Guidelines (PDF)
Access the official documents to align your study sessions with the 2026 requirements:
- Download Geography Grade 12 Exam Guidelines 2025-2026 (English)
- Download Geography Grade 12 Exam Guidelines 2025-2026 (Afrikaans)
For more support, including mapwork tutorials and “Mind the Gap” study guides, visit the My Courses homepage or explore the Grade 12 Study Resources hub.
Paper 1: Climate, Weather, and Geomorphology
Duration: 3 Hours | Total Marks: 150
Paper 1 focuses on the physical geography of the Earth. You will be expected to analyze complex weather systems and the evolution of river landscapes.
Theory Sections (120 Marks):
- Climate and Weather: Mid-latitude cyclones, tropical cyclones, and valley/urban climates. You must be able to interpret synoptic weather maps.
- Geomorphology: Drainage basins, river profiles, and stream piracy. Understanding the stages of a river from youth to old age is crucial.
Geographical Skills and Techniques (30 Marks):
- Mapwork Calculations: Gradient, magnetic declination, and vertical exaggeration.
- Topographic and Orthophoto Map Interpretation: Identifying landforms and drainage patterns on official maps.
Paper 2: Settlement and Economic Geography
Duration: 3 Hours | Total Marks: 150
Paper 2 shifts the focus to human geography, specifically the South African context.
Theory Sections (120 Marks):
- Settlement Geography: Rural and urban settlement patterns, urban hierarchies, and challenges like rural-urban migration and informal settlements.
- Economic Geography of South Africa: Agriculture, mining, and manufacturing. You must understand the four industrial regions (PWV, Durban-Pinetown, Port Elizabeth-Uitenhage, and Southwestern Cape).
Geographical Skills and Techniques (30 Marks):
- GIS (Geographic Information Systems): Data layering, spatial analysis, and remote sensing.
- Data Interpretation: Analyzing graphs, tables, and infographics related to the South African economy.
Conclusion: Strategy for 2026 Success
The Geography Grade 12 Exam Guidelines for 2026 emphasize that Geography is an integrated science. To secure a “Level 7” (80%+):
- Master the Synoptic Map: Be able to identify a winter synoptic map (high-pressure systems over the land) vs. a summer map instantly.
- Practice Mapwork Weekly: Don’t wait until the week before the exam to find your protractor. Accuracy in distance and bearing is essential.
- Understand GIS Concepts: Markers often ask for practical applications of GIS (e.g., how it helps a municipality plan for floods).
Stay updated on the 2026 matric calendar and find expert-led revision videos by visiting My Courses.
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