Pretoria: Matrics around the country on Monday got a taste of what awaits them in the final exams, as learners sat for the first day of preliminary exams.

The exams — which the Department of Basic Education says help to build confidence ahead of the biggest exam of the learners’ lives — form part of the Grade 12 continuous assessments and account for 25% of the pupils’ final mark.

Universities and FET colleges often require these marks for admissions applications.

Limpopo, Gauteng and the Northern Cape are some of the provincial education departments which reported a smooth start to the exams.

“The preliminary examinations started very well. No incidents have been reported,” said Limpopo departmental spokesperson, Phuti Seloba.

Gauteng also got off to a good start. “No incidents were reported. Everything went on smoothly,” said Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson, Gershwin Chuenyane.

The Northern Cape’s departmental spokesperson, Sidney Stander, told SAnews that no hindrances were experienced.

“Everything went well according to plan,” he said.

However, in KwaZulu-Natal, incidents of disruption were reported, with many learners being unable to write the exams. The provincial department’s spokesperson, Muzi Mahlambi, told SAnews that the department was still monitoring the situation.

According to Mahlambi, rural schools were the ones mostly affected.

“We have called for a meeting with Sadtu to discuss the matter.”

Mahlambi said they might postpone the prelims if the situation does not get better.

Prelims help with the huge task of studying. Because the prelims and finals are so close to each other, pupils can get the bulk of their study work done. This helps to take the pressure off for the actual finals.

The preliminary exams also help teachers to identify areas that may need extra attention.