Pretoria - Grade 12 learners have breathed a sigh of relief after writing their first matric exam - English Paper 1, on Monday.
Some of the matrics said the paper was not difficult, but were concerned that it was long and that two hours was not enough time to complete all the questions.
Aphiwe Meyiwa from Westville Boys High School in Durban said he had no doubt that he would get a B, but felt that the paper was too long. "It wasn't difficult, but the comprehension was very long. I'm hoping to do well as I've studied very hard preparing for these exams," Aphiwe told SAnews.
He said he had begun preparing for a Physical Science Paper on Thursday.
His schoolmate, Riley Somiah, shared the same sentiments. "I've finished on time but didn't get time to go through my answers. The level of the paper was not that challenging, except for the last question. We have never done it before, but nevertheless, I'm pretty sure I've got a B," said Riley.
Riley, who is planning to study either medicine or chemical engineering next year, said his focus had now turned to his first Maths paper. He needs to score high marks in order to get into one of these fields.
Refilwe Molefe from SA College Private School in Pretoria, was all smiles and confident that she would get a B or C after writing her English paper. "It was not difficult at all and I'm positive that after this paper, I'll get a 65% to 70% in English, including the second and third paper."
Tinatse Chitsaka, who finished 20 minutes before the finishing time, thanked her teachers in Dansa International College in Pretoria for arming her and her classmates with possible questions.
"There were no surprises as we attended classes until the end of last week and came prepared, most of the things came up in the paper, I knew them and managed to finish 20 minutes before and answered the whole paper," said an optimistic Tinatse.
Although Amanda Sibeko, from Wiseman Cele Secondary School in Soweto, could not wait to write her favourite subject, Life Science, she said she was happy with how she had fared in her English exam. She was confident that she was going to pass with flying colours.
"It was a good paper and I'm going to pass, I'm so looking forward to excel in Life Science and Home Language [IsiZulu]," she said.
A total of 527 335 full time learners and 120 352 part time candidates have registered to write the exams, which started on Monday and will end on 28 November. - SAnews.gov.za
