Pretoria - They may have different views on the standard of today's papers, but most Grade 12 learners were optimistic about the outcome and had no doubts that they did well.
Matrics kicked off their exams by writing the three-hour papers, Computer Application Technology (CAT) Paper 2 and Information Technology (IT) Paper 2, at 9am, and most learners who spoke to BuaNews said they were definitely going to pass.
Pro Arte Alphen Park High School learner, Mothupi Boikanyo, 18, who was writing CAT, said the paper was not that hard compared to the recent preliminary exams, and that the standard was almost the same as the previous final examination paper.
"I won't get 80 percent, but one thing I know, I'm not supplementing anything next year. I've studied hard and am expecting 60 percent," said Boikanyo, who is planning to study Philosophy, Politics and Law at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Kgomotso Mathibe, 18, from Pretoria Girls High School found the CAT paper easier than the previous papers she had seen.
"It wasn't very hard as I expected, I skipped two questions because I forgot the answers but I will definitely get about 70 percent," Mathibe told BuaNews.
Sharing Mathibe's sentiments, South African College Grade 12 learner Tshepo Lefatola felt the standard of the paper was much easier compared to last year's paper.
"It was not a paper to complain about if you knew what you've been doing throughout the year. In fact if I don't get 85 percent, I'll know that the person who was marking my paper was drunk.
"I expected more from the paper because when I'm writing, I want challenging questions where I'll spend some time trying to think ... I never skip any question even though I didn't know the answer. I reflected on what I've been studying and gave the answer from my own understanding," said an optimistic Lefatola, who will be studying Civil Engineering next year.
Future Civil Engineer, Ronewa Mutshinya, 18, from the Glen High School, admitted that she was nervous before sitting down for the Information Technology Paper but was relieved after completing it. She hoped to get 60 percent.
"I was afraid when entering the class, thinking that I'm writing IT and as a woman, I felt a little intimidated but the paper was ok. I've noticed that it was much easier than the one we wrote during preliminary exams, but also found it very hard compared to the one written during last year's final exam.
"I skipped three questions because I was clueless and didn't understand the questions, I'll probably get 60 percent, but I will make it up on Friday when I write Mathematics because it's my favourite subject and I'll pass it with flying colours. You watch and see," said an elated Mutshinya.
A total of 642 691 pupils have registered for the exams, 562 473 of which are full time candidates and 80 218 part time pupils.
