Common questions

Exam questions, answered

The questions students actually ask about exam timetables and counting down to them, answered directly. No waffle first, detail after.

• What is the best exam countdown app?

  The best exam countdown app is the one that keeps your next paper in view without you opening anything: Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets, a cale...

• How many days until the matric finals?

  The 2026 NSC matric finals run from Monday 12 October to Friday 27 November, on the official Department of Basic Education timetable, after prelims...

• How many days until my exams?

  It depends on your board and your subjects. GCSE and A-level written papers usually start in the first full week of May and run into late June, whi...

• How do I make an exam timetable?

  Start from the official timetable your school or exam board publishes, then enter every paper (subject, paper number, date, start time and room) in...

• How do I put an exam countdown on my Home Screen?

  Touch and hold an empty part of your Home Screen, then add a widget: on iPhone and iPad tap Edit and Add Widget, and on Android tap Widgets. Search...

• Is there a free exam countdown app?

  Yes. Exam Countdown is free on the App Store and Google Play, with unlimited exams, colour coding, 400+ subject icons, notes, a reminder before eac...

Looking for how-to guides instead? See Help & Support, or count down to a specific date with Days Until.