Over the biggest matric hurdles
THE worst of the matric exams seems to be over as pupils head into week 3 of the final national senior certificate papers, having completed the most gruelling subjects – maths, physics and accounting.
On Monday, pupils at Orient Islamic School in Durban heaved a sigh of relief after they completed Physics Paper 2.
School principal Ranitha Nadasen said pupils’ response so far had been positive.
“Pupils are feeling very motivated and we are hoping for good results.”
Nadasen was of the view that the reason behind the positive reaction was that internal papers had been more difficult.
Matric pupil Tal’ha Khan, of Westville, said the exams to date had gone off very well.
“I began with IT practicals and I found the exam to be really nice. It has been motivating me for the rest of the exams.”
One of the challenges Tal’ha found was time management. “I have made sure I attempted all questions, and this can only be done through good time management.”
The would-be medical student is expecting distinctions.
Echoing those sentiments was Muhammed Khan, 18, of Durban North, saying there hadn't been too many difficult papers in the exams.
“In the beginning I wrote English, accounting and maths, and that was difficult, but the papers have been fair.”
Speaking of the syllabus, Muhammed said there were no questions they hadn’t prepared for.
“We did a lot more than was needed; mistakes are not from a lack of knowledge, but rather anxiety.”
He too plans to study medicine and expects to bag all distinctions.
Mohammed Roussoulle, 19, of Isipingo Beach, said the exams had been going “surprisingly well”.
He said all papers were fair but he found Maths Paper 2 challenging.
“The exams are stressful but I have been taking each day as it comes.”
Muzffar Malani, 18, of Musgrave, found physics confusing and challenging. “But it was also exciting.”
He said overall the exams had not been bad. “My biggest problems are English and Afrikaans.”
Muzffar cited trial exams as easier than the finals. He plans to study business science.
Mishkah Arbee, 18, of the Durban CBD, said the exams were not easy, but she enjoyed the challenge.
“My course subjects are very challenging, but challenges are good."
She said papers so far had been on the same level as the trial exams, “so its nothing new”.
Mishkah, who cited English and Afrikaans as her most challenging subjects, is another hoping to study medicine.
Most pupils will complete their exams on November 28 with Afrikaans Paper 3.
Results will be released on January 5.