Design Grade 12 Exam Guidelines Scope 2026

To excel in Design Grade 12 for the 2026 academic year, learners must demonstrate a sophisticated balance between creative practical execution and critical theoretical analysis. While the official 2026 Department of Basic Education (DBE) examination timetable is pending release, these Exam Guidelines provide the definitive roadmap for your portfolio, exhibition, and final exams.

The Design curriculum is uniquely structured to assess your journey from initial concept (the process) to the final realized design (the product), alongside your understanding of design’s role in history and society.

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Download Design Grade 12 Exam Guidelines (PDF)

Ensure your creative process and theoretical study are 100% aligned with the 2026 requirements by downloading the official guidelines:

• Download Design Grade 12 Exam Guidelines 2025-2026 (English)
• Download Design Grade 12 Exam Guidelines 2025-2026 (Afrikaans)

For more support, including inspiration for your process books and past theory papers, visit the My Courses homepage or explore our Grade 12 Study Resources hub.

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Breakdown of the 2026 Assessment

The final Design mark is composed of three essential pillars. Success requires consistent effort throughout the year, as 50% of your mark is determined before you even sit for the final written exam.

1. School-Based Assessment (SBA) – 25%

This internal component tracks your progress through the year. It includes:

• Process Books for PAT 1 & 2: Detailed documentation of your research, sketches, and iterations (100 marks each).
• Theory Assessments: One dedicated theory test (50 marks) and the mid-year June examination (100 marks).
• Trial Examination: A full-scale theory paper (100 marks, weighted to 50).

2. PATs & Final Exhibition – 25%

The exhibition is the culmination of your practical work. You will be assessed on:

• Product Quality: The final outcomes of PAT 1 and PAT 2 (50 marks, internal).
• Presentation: How you curate and present your work to an external moderator (50 marks, external).

3. External Examinations – 50%

• Paper 1 (Written): 100 Marks (3 Hours)
  • Focuses on the History of Design, Design in a Socio-cultural/Environmental Context, and Design Literacy.
  • You must be able to analyze design works using correct terminology (e.g., Gestalt principles, semiotics, and sustainable practices).
• Paper 2 (Practical): 100 Marks
  • This is a controlled “exam” project. It is split into Process (50 marks) and Product (50 marks), typically completed over a 24-hour period spread across several days.

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Key Focus Areas for 2026

To achieve a “Level 7” (80%+), pay close attention to these critical design elements:

1. Sustainable & Ethical Design: Expect questions and practical briefs that require you to consider the environmental impact and social responsibility of your designs.
2. Visual Literacy: Practice analyzing unseen images. Don’t just describe what you see; explain why the designer used specific elements (color, line, rhythm) to communicate a message.
3. The Process Book: Your workbook is just as important as the final product. Moderators look for “design thinking”—the evolution of an idea from a rough sketch to a polished solution.
4. South African Context: Ensure your history of design studies includes a strong understanding of contemporary South African designers and their influence on local identity.

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Conclusion: Strategy for 2026 Success

The Design Grade 12 Exam Guidelines for 2026 emphasize that design is a problem-solving discipline. Whether you are working on a graphic, fashion, or product design brief, always keep the “user” in mind.

Start your theory revision early by building a glossary of design terms and practicing visual analysis on contemporary advertisements and products. For the latest 2026 matric calendar updates and expert tips on curating your final exhibition, stay tuned to My Courses.