Mpumalanga Grade 12 learners prepare for preliminary exams | Mpumalanga News

As schools officially reopen, Grade 12 learners are focused on preparing for their preliminary examinations running from August 24 to September 21.

During the holidays, 89 schools organised winter classes to help 23 793 learners from underperforming schools revise key concepts, catch up on missed work, and strengthen their understanding of challenging subjects. These programmes were part of the 2026 Learner Improvement Plan, intended to improve the performance of the class of 2026 qualitatively and quantitatively to achieve the set target of a 91% pass rate.

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Study tips for exam preparation

As learners begin the final stretch of preparation, developing effective study habits is essential, and these tips can help them prepare:

• Develop a study plan and stick to it! Set specific goals for each study session to help you stay focused and motivated. Use a planner, calendar, or app to schedule your study sessions and track your progress.

• Identify your weak areas and allocate more time to improve them. Use a graph or chart to track your progress and identify areas where you need extra help. Focus on one weak area at a time, and use active learning techniques to reinforce your understanding.

• Practise past papers and questions to build familiarity with the exam format and boost your confidence. Use flashcards to memorise key terms and concepts, and create concept maps to visualise relationships between ideas. Try active recall techniques like summarising notes in your own words or explaining concepts to a friend.

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• Don’t hesitate to seek help when you need it! Ask your teachers, classmates, or tutors for assistance. Use online resources like video tutorials, podcasts, or study groups to supplement your learning.

• Stay motivated: Remind yourself of your goals and why you’re working hard. Use a motivational quote or image to inspire you, or create a vision board to visualise your success. Celebrate your progress and achievements along the way, no matter how small! It’s also really helpful to reward yourself after achieving each goal, like getting a chocolate bar or your favourite snack after you finish studying.

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The MEC for Education, Lindi Masina, welcomed learners, teachers, school governing bodies, and education staff, highlighting that the third school term is one of the most critical periods in the academic calendar.

“It is a term that demands renewed focus, collective commitment and purposeful action to advance learner achievement, strengthen the quality of teaching and learning, and accelerate progress towards the province’s educational goals,” she said.