One exam layout for ten languages - Grade 12 First Additional Language papers explained

Every Grade 12 First Additional Language (FAL) is examined in three DBE papers: Paper 1 (80 marks, 2 hours), Paper 2 (70 marks, 2½ hours) and Paper 3 (100 marks, 2½ hours). The same marks and times apply in English, Afrikaans, isiZulu, isiXhosa, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Tshivenda, Xitsonga and Siswati FAL, for 250 marks in total.

Grade12PastExamPapers.co.za has published FAL past papers and memos for all ten languages. The figures below come from the November 2025 papers, except English FAL, which uses November 2024.

NSC candidates take one language at Home Language level and at least one more at First Additional Language level or higher. The 2026 NSC exams run from 13 October to 26 November 2026, with a record 962 832 candidates registered.

The three FAL papers at a glance

Paper 1 carries more marks than Paper 2 in less time. That is 1,5 minutes per mark in Paper 1, against about 2,1 minutes per mark in Paper 2.

Paper 1: comprehension, summary and language

Language is the largest section at 40 marks, half of Paper 1. The summary is the shortest at 10 marks and 20 minutes, so keep it to that time.

All questions are compulsory. The English FAL paper tells you to write only the letter of the answer next to the question number for multiple-choice questions.

Paper 2: choose two of four sections

You answer questions from ANY TWO of the four sections, about 75 minutes each. In the novel and drama sections you answer one question on the book you studied. In short stories and poetry you answer on both extracts or both poems.

Use the table of contents and the checklist printed in the paper to mark your questions before you start. Most of the papers also tell you not to read the whole paper.

For reference, the November 2024 English FAL Paper 2 set Cry, the Beloved Country; Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde; Macbeth; and My Children! My Africa!

Paper 3: one question in each of three sections

The English, Afrikaans, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Tshivenda and Xitsonga FAL papers set the essay at 250 to 300 words and the longer transactional text at 120 to 150 words.

Every Paper 3 asks you to plan before writing and to show the plan before the final text. Most papers state that the title is not counted in the word count.

The Afrikaans FAL Paper 3 adds two rules: avoid SMS language, and do not write in pencil.

Past papers and quizzes for each FAL language

Each FAL page has an exam guide, a questions-and-answers section and a Most Common Exam Questions Quiz with real DBE questions and memo answers.

English FAL and isiXhosa FAL also include March papers, alongside June, September and November papers.

How to practise

1. Write Paper 1 in 2 hours, keeping to 50, 20 and 50 minutes for the three sections.
2. Pick your two Paper 2 sections before the exam and practise only those, in 75-minute blocks.
3. Write a full Paper 3 in 2½ hours, with a visible plan before each text.
4. Mark every attempt with the memo, which is the DBE marking guideline.

Questions and answers

How many marks is English FAL Paper 1?

80 marks in 2 hours: comprehension 30, summary 10 and language 40.

How many sections do I answer in FAL Paper 2?

Two of the four sections (novel, drama, short stories, poetry), 35 marks each, for 70 marks.

How long is FAL Paper 3?

2½ hours for 100 marks: essay 50, longer transactional text 30 and shorter transactional text 20.

How long should a FAL essay be?

The papers that state a length set 250 to 300 words for the essay, not counting the title.