Physical Sciences Grade 12 Exam Guidelines and Scope for 2026: To achieve top marks in Physical Sciences Grade 12 for the 2026 academic year, learners must master both the mathematical precision of Physics and the conceptual depth of Chemistry. While the official 2026 Department of Basic Education (DBE) examination timetable is yet to be released, these Exam Guidelines provide the definitive roadmap for your revision.
The Physical Sciences assessment is split into two papers, each carrying 150 marks. Success requires a balance between memorizing laws and definitions and applying those principles to complex, multi-step problems.
Download Physical Sciences Grade 12 Exam Guidelines (PDF)
Access the official documents to ensure your study plan is 100% aligned with the 2026 CAPS requirements:
- Download Physical Sciences Grade 12 Exam Guidelines 2025-2026 (English)
- Download Physical Sciences Grade 12 Exam Guidelines 2025-2026 (Afrikaans)
For more support, including data sheets and past papers, visit the My Courses homepage or explore our Grade 12 Study Resources hub.
Paper 1: Physics
Duration: 3 Hours | Total Marks: 150
Paper 1 focuses on the laws of the universe, motion, and energy. You must be proficient in using the provided data sheet and interpreting diagrams.
Core Topics for Paper 1:
- Newton’s Laws of Motion: Master Newton I, II, III, and the Law of Universal Gravitation.
- Vertical Projectile Motion: Motion in one dimension, including objects thrown upwards or falling.
- Momentum and Impulse: Conservation of linear momentum and the relationship between force and change in momentum.
- Work, Energy, and Power: The Work-Energy Theorem and the Principle of Conservation of Mechanical Energy.
- Doppler Effect: Sound and light waves, with a focus on frequency shifts for moving sources or observers.
- Electrostatics and Electric Circuits: Coulomb’s Law, Electric Fields, Ohm’s Law, and internal resistance.
- Electrodynamics: Generators and motors (AC and DC) and the photoelectric effect.
Paper 2: Chemistry
Duration: 3 Hours | Total Marks: 150
Paper 2 shifts the focus to matter, chemical reactions, and the energy changes associated with them.
Core Topics for Paper 2:
- Organic Chemistry: IUPAC naming, structural formulae, and physical properties of homologous series.
- Rates and Equilibrium: Factors affecting reaction rates and Le Chatelier’s Principle for chemical equilibrium.
- Acids and Bases: Mastery of $K_a$ and $K_b$ values, pH calculations, and titrations.
- Electrochemical Cells: Distinguishing between Galvanic (voltaic) and Electrolytic cells.
- Chemical Systems: Often focusing on the Fertilizer Industry (Haber, Ostwald, and Contact processes).
Conclusion: Your Strategy for 2026 Success
The Physical Sciences Grade 12 Exam Guidelines for 2026 emphasize that students often lose marks on “easy” points. To secure a Level 7:
- Definitions: Memorize definitions exactly as they appear in the Exam Guidelines. Markers use a strict keyword-based marking system.
- Units and Conversions: Always check your units (e.g., convert grams to kilograms or $cm^3$ to $dm^3$).
- Graphing Skills: Practice interpreting velocity-time graphs for Physics and Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution curves for Chemistry.
Stay ahead of the 2026 matric calendar and access specialized revision videos by visiting My Courses.
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