Grade 12 Past Exam Papers
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Geography

Geography Grade 12 question paper overview

This page includes Geography Grade 12 past papers and memos.

Geography Grade 12 exam question paper is divided into Paper 1 and Paper 2, each containing 150 marks in total, and written within 3 hours time frame. In both papers, you are expected to demonstrate geographical skills and techniques within your curriculum.

Geography Grade 12 Paper 1 Exam Structure:

SectionQuestion Breakdown, Topic, and Marks
SECTION AQUESTION 1: Climate and Weather (60 marks)

QUESTION 2: Geomorphology (60 marks)
SECTION BQUESTION 3: Geographical Skills and Techniques (30 marks)

Geography Grade 12 Paper 2 Exam Structure:

SectionQuestion Breakdown, Topic, and Marks
SECTION AQUESTION 1: Rural and Urban Settlements (60 marks)

QUESTION 2: Economic Geography of South Africa (60 marks)
SECTION BQUESTION 3: Geographical Skills and Techniques (30 marks)
2 papersin the final exam
150 marksper paper
3 hoursper paper
2020–20267 years of papers
235papers and memos

Exam facts from the DBE November 2025 question papers. See the full exam guide.

Geography Grade 12 Papers

Exam Practice

Geography: Most Common Exam Questions Quiz

Real multiple choice questions from DBE NSC Geography Paper 1 and Paper 2 (2023 to 2025), with the sketches and maps from the papers and the official memo answers.

37

Exam Questions

4

Topics

2

Papers

3

NSC Years (2023 to 2025)

Paper 1: PhysicalGeomorphology (Rivers & Drainage)(1 mark)

NSC November 2023 · Paper 1 · Question 2.2.1

Look at: the source for QUESTION 2.2
Sketch of a meandering river flowing into the sea, Geography Grade 12 NSC November 2023 Paper 1 Question 2.2.1
The sketch illustrates a/an … of a river.
Paper 1: PhysicalGeomorphology (Rivers & Drainage)(1 mark)

NSC November 2023 · Paper 1 · Question 2.2.2

Look at: the source for QUESTION 2.2
Sketch of a meandering river flowing into the sea, Geography Grade 12 NSC November 2023 Paper 1 Question 2.2.2
The fluvial landform/feature shown in the sketch is a...
Paper 1: PhysicalGeomorphology (Rivers & Drainage)(1 mark)

NSC November 2023 · Paper 1 · Question 2.2.3

Look at: the source for QUESTION 2.2
Sketch of a meandering river flowing into the sea, Geography Grade 12 NSC November 2023 Paper 1 Question 2.2.3
This fluvial landform/feature (answer to QUESTION 2.2.2) occurs mainly in the … course of a river.
Paper 2: HumanRural & Urban Settlement(1 mark)

NSC November 2023 · Paper 2 · Question 2.2.1

The tertiary sector is also referred to as the … sector.
Paper 2: HumanEconomic Geography of South Africa(1 mark)

NSC November 2023 · Paper 2 · Question 2.2.2

An example of an activity in the tertiary sector is …
Paper 2: HumanEconomic Geography of South Africa(1 mark)

NSC November 2023 · Paper 2 · Question 2.2.4

The contractual arrangement between countries relating to their trade relationship is known as a …
Paper 1: PhysicalGeomorphology (Rivers & Drainage)(1 mark)

NSC May/June 2024 · Paper 1 · Question 2.2.1

Look at: the source for QUESTION 2.2
Sketch of river capture with watersheds, tributary and river gravel, Geography Grade 12 NSC May/June 2024 Paper 1 Question 2.2.1
The sketch illustrates a/an …
Paper 1: PhysicalGeomorphology (Rivers & Drainage)(1 mark)

NSC May/June 2024 · Paper 1 · Question 2.2.3

Look at: the source for QUESTION 2.2
Sketch of river capture with watersheds, tributary and river gravel, Geography Grade 12 NSC May/June 2024 Paper 1 Question 2.2.3
Tributary P, as illustrated in the sketch, is a … stream.
Paper 2: HumanRural & Urban Settlement(1 mark)

NSC May/June 2024 · Paper 2 · Question 1.2.1

A … is an area, where a group of people live, that has buildings, communication networks and functions.
Paper 2: HumanRural & Urban Settlement(1 mark)

NSC May/June 2024 · Paper 2 · Question 1.2.3

… is the formless growth of urban areas.
Paper 2: HumanRural & Urban Settlement(1 mark)

NSC May/June 2024 · Paper 2 · Question 1.2.6

Look at: QUESTION 1.2.6 as printed
Table of South African urbanisation percentages from 2018 to 2022, Geography Grade 12 NSC May/June 2024 Paper 2 Question 1.2.6
The largest increase in the level of urbanisation in South Africa is from …
Paper 2: HumanRural & Urban Settlement(1 mark)

NSC May/June 2024 · Paper 2 · Question 2.1.1

Look at: QUESTION 2.1.1 as printed
Table of core industrial regions and their contribution to GDP, Geography Grade 12 NSC May/June 2024 Paper 2 Question 2.1.1
… core industrial region contributes the lowest percentage to the GDP in South Africa.
Paper 2: HumanEconomic Geography of South Africa(1 mark)

NSC May/June 2024 · Paper 2 · Question 2.1.3

Access to … is an advantage of the Port Elizabeth-Uitenhage core industrial region compared to the Gauteng (PWV) core industrial region.
Paper 2: HumanEconomic Geography of South Africa(1 mark)

NSC May/June 2024 · Paper 2 · Question 2.1.6

Look at: QUESTION 2.1.6 as printed
Question on raw materials in the Gauteng core industrial region, Geography Grade 12 NSC May/June 2024 Paper 2 Question 2.1.6
The main raw materials found in the Gauteng (PWV) core industrial region include … and …
Paper 1: PhysicalClimate & Weather(1 mark)

NSC November 2024 · Paper 1 · Question 1.1.1

Look at: the source for QUESTION 1.1
Two sketches of anticyclones and low pressure over South Africa, Geography Grade 12 NSC November 2024 Paper 1 Question 1.1.1
Sketch A shows typical … conditions.
Paper 1: PhysicalClimate & Weather(1 mark)

NSC November 2024 · Paper 1 · Question 1.1.3

Look at: the source for QUESTION 1.1
Two sketches of anticyclones and low pressure over South Africa, Geography Grade 12 NSC November 2024 Paper 1 Question 1.1.3
… is the concept used to describe the elongation of the isobars associated with the South Atlantic anticyclone in sketch B.
Paper 1: PhysicalClimate & Weather(1 mark)

NSC November 2024 · Paper 1 · Question 1.1.6

Look at: the source for QUESTION 1.1
Two sketches of anticyclones and low pressure over South Africa, Geography Grade 12 NSC November 2024 Paper 1 Question 1.1.6
The low-pressure system in sketch A will move in a … direction.
Paper 2: HumanRural & Urban Settlement(1 mark)

NSC November 2024 · Paper 2 · Question 1.2.1

The smallest urban settlement in an urban hierarchy is a …
Paper 2: HumanRural & Urban Settlement(1 mark)

NSC November 2024 · Paper 2 · Question 1.2.3

A … is the largest settlement type found in South Africa.
Paper 2: HumanRural & Urban Settlement(1 mark)

NSC November 2024 · Paper 2 · Question 1.2.5

The … of a city covers a larger area than a town.
Paper 1: PhysicalClimate & Weather(1 mark)

NSC May/June 2025 · Paper 1 · Question 1.1.1

Look at: the source for QUESTION 1.1
Synoptic sketch map of pressure cells and isobars over South Africa, Geography Grade 12 NSC May/June 2025 Paper 1 Question 1.1.1
The season shown in the sketch map is …
Paper 1: PhysicalClimate & Weather(1 mark)

NSC May/June 2025 · Paper 1 · Question 1.1.2

Look at: the source for QUESTION 1.1
Synoptic sketch map of pressure cells and isobars over South Africa, Geography Grade 12 NSC May/June 2025 Paper 1 Question 1.1.2
Lines on the sketch map that join places of equal atmospheric pressure are known as …
Paper 1: PhysicalClimate & Weather(1 mark)

NSC May/June 2025 · Paper 1 · Question 1.1.3

Look at: the source for QUESTION 1.1
Synoptic sketch map of pressure cells and isobars over South Africa, Geography Grade 12 NSC May/June 2025 Paper 1 Question 1.1.3
The atmospheric pressure reading at A is … hPa.
Paper 1: PhysicalClimate & Weather(1 mark)

NSC May/June 2025 · Paper 1 · Question 2.1.1

Look at: the source for QUESTION 2.1
Six sketches of different river drainage patterns, Geography Grade 12 NSC May/June 2025 Paper 1 Question 2.1.1
Drainage pattern P is known as a … pattern.
Paper 1: PhysicalClimate & Weather(1 mark)

NSC May/June 2025 · Paper 1 · Question 2.1.3

Look at: the source for QUESTION 2.1
Six sketches of different river drainage patterns, Geography Grade 12 NSC May/June 2025 Paper 1 Question 2.1.3
Drainage pattern Q is known as a … pattern.
Paper 1: PhysicalClimate & Weather(1 mark)

NSC May/June 2025 · Paper 1 · Question 2.1.6

Look at: the source for QUESTION 2.1
Six sketches of different river drainage patterns, Geography Grade 12 NSC May/June 2025 Paper 1 Question 2.1.6
In sketch …, the streams flow alongside each other in areas of steep, folded bedrock.
Paper 2: HumanEconomic Geography of South Africa(1 mark)

NSC May/June 2025 · Paper 2 · Question 2.1.1

… is when a country has sufficient and nutritious food that is accessible to all its people.
Paper 2: HumanEconomic Geography of South Africa(1 mark)

NSC May/June 2025 · Paper 2 · Question 2.1.2

A negative economic factor affecting production of food in a country is …
Paper 2: HumanEconomic Geography of South Africa(1 mark)

NSC May/June 2025 · Paper 2 · Question 2.1.3

An advantage of planting genetically modified crops to improve food security is …
Paper 1: PhysicalClimate & Weather(1 mark)

NSC November 2025 · Paper 1 · Question 1.2.1

Look at: the source for QUESTION 1.2
Photograph of north and south facing slopes showing slope aspect, Geography Grade 12 NSC November 2025 Paper 1 Question 1.2.1
Slope aspect refers to …
Paper 1: PhysicalClimate & Weather(1 mark)

NSC November 2025 · Paper 1 · Question 1.2.2

Look at: the source for QUESTION 1.2
Photograph of north and south facing slopes showing slope aspect, Geography Grade 12 NSC November 2025 Paper 1 Question 1.2.2
The photograph represents a valley in the … Hemisphere.
Paper 1: PhysicalGeomorphology (Rivers & Drainage)(1 mark)

NSC November 2025 · Paper 1 · Question 2.2.1

Look at: the source for QUESTION 2.2
Sketches of a landscape before and after river capture, Geography Grade 12 NSC November 2025 Paper 1 Question 2.2.1
A river that has its water diverted into another river is referred to as a…
Paper 1: PhysicalClimate & Weather(1 mark)

NSC November 2025 · Paper 1 · Question 2.2.3

Look at: the source for QUESTION 2.2
Sketches of a landscape before and after river capture, Geography Grade 12 NSC November 2025 Paper 1 Question 2.2.3
Evidence that river capture has taken place in sketch B:
Paper 1: PhysicalGeomorphology (Rivers & Drainage)(1 mark)

NSC November 2025 · Paper 1 · Question 2.2.5

Look at: the source for QUESTION 2.2
Sketches of a landscape before and after river capture, Geography Grade 12 NSC November 2025 Paper 1 Question 2.2.5
The part of the river that has less water after river capture is known as the … stream.
Paper 2: HumanEconomic Geography of South Africa(1 mark)

NSC November 2025 · Paper 2 · Question 2.1.1

… is a positive social factor of sugar cane production in KwaZulu-Natal.
Paper 2: HumanEconomic Geography of South Africa(1 mark)

NSC November 2025 · Paper 2 · Question 2.1.2

… is/are a negative economic factor hindering sugar cane farming in KwaZulu-Natal.
Paper 2: HumanEconomic Geography of South Africa(1 mark)

NSC November 2025 · Paper 2 · Question 2.1.3

Look at: QUESTION 2.1.3 as printed
Question on advantages of sugar cane farming for South Africa, Geography Grade 12 NSC November 2025 Paper 2 Question 2.1.3
TWO advantages of sugar cane farming for the economy of South Africa is/are … and …

Tip: press A–D to answer multiple choice, → for the next question.

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Geography Grade 12 Exam Guide

How the final Geography exam is set out, taken from the cover and instruction pages of the DBE November 2025 question papers.

Geography Paper 1

  • 150 marks
  • 3 hours
  • 18 pages
  • November 2025
SectionQuestionWhat it coversMarks
A1Climate and Weather60
A2Geomorphology60
B3Geographical Skills and Techniques30

Comes with: a 1 : 50 000 topographical map 3318DD Stellenbosch and a 1 : 10 000 orthophoto map 3318 DD 18 Stellenbosch.

Instructions on the paper
  1. Answer ALL THREE questions.
  2. Start EACH question at the top of a NEW page.
  3. Draw fully labelled diagrams when instructed to do so.
  4. Answer in FULL SENTENCES, except when you have to state, name, identify or list.
  5. Units of measurement MUST be indicated in your final answer.
  6. You may use a non-programmable calculator and a magnifying glass.
  7. Section B: show ALL calculations; marks are allocated for steps.
  8. Hand in the topographical and orthophoto map to the invigilator at the end of the examination.

Geography Paper 2

  • 150 marks
  • 3 hours
  • 20 pages
  • November 2025
SectionQuestionWhat it coversMarks
A1Rural and Urban Settlements60
A2Economic Geography of South Africa60
B3Geographical Skills and Techniques30

Comes with: a 1 : 50 000 topographical map 2529CC eMalahleni (Witbank) and a 1 : 10 000 orthophoto map 2529 CC 15 eMalahleni (Witbank).

Instructions on the paper
  1. Answer ALL THREE questions.
  2. Start EACH question at the top of a NEW page.
  3. Draw fully labelled diagrams when instructed to do so.
  4. Answer in FULL SENTENCES, except when you have to state, name, identify or list.
  5. Units of measurement MUST be indicated in your final answer.
  6. You may use a non-programmable calculator and a magnifying glass.
  7. Section B: show ALL calculations; marks are allocated for steps.
  8. Hand in the topographical and orthophoto map to the invigilator at the end of the examination.

Geography Topics in Every Exam

Each column is a DBE exam. The number is the marks the topic was worth in that paper, taken from the mark table printed on the paper. A dash means no question in that paper had this exact title (the topic may still be tested under another heading).

Paper 1: topics and marks per exam

TopicNov 2023Jun 2024Nov 2024Jun 2025Nov 2025Jun 2026Times set
Climate and Weather6060606060606/6
Geomorphology6060606060606/6
Geographical Skills and Techniques3030303030306/6

Paper 2: topics and marks per exam

TopicNov 2023Jun 2024Nov 2024Jun 2025Nov 2025Jun 2026Times set
Rural and Urban Settlements6060606060606/6
Economic Geography of South Africa6060606060606/6
Geographical Skills and Techniques3030303030306/6

Geography Grade 12 Questions and Answers

How many papers do you write for Geography in Grade 12?

2 papers: Paper 1 (150 marks, 3 hours) and Paper 2 (150 marks, 3 hours). These facts are from the DBE November 2025 question papers.

What is in Geography Paper 1?

In the November 2025 paper: Question 1: Climate and Weather (60 marks); Question 2: Geomorphology (60 marks); Question 3: Geographical Skills and Techniques (30 marks).

What is in Geography Paper 2?

In the November 2025 paper: Question 1: Rural and Urban Settlements (60 marks); Question 2: Economic Geography of South Africa (60 marks); Question 3: Geographical Skills and Techniques (30 marks).

Can you use a calculator in the Geography exam?

Yes. The November 2025 Paper 1 says: "You may use a non-programmable calculator and a magnifying glass."

What do you get with the Geography question paper?

Paper 1 comes with a 1 : 50 000 topographical map 3318DD Stellenbosch and a 1 : 10 000 orthophoto map 3318 DD 18 Stellenbosch. Paper 2 comes with a 1 : 50 000 topographical map 2529CC eMalahleni (Witbank) and a 1 : 10 000 orthophoto map 2529 CC 15 eMalahleni (Witbank).

How long is the Geography question paper?

In November 2025, Paper 1 had 18 pages and Paper 2 had 20 pages.

Which Geography past papers are on this page?

235 files from 2020 to 2026, covering the March, June, September and November exams. They are listed by year and term above, and each one opens as a PDF.

Are the Geography memos included?

Yes. 151 of the files are memos (marking guidelines). Each memo is listed next to its question paper.

Are the Geography papers available in Afrikaans?

Yes. Most papers on this page come in English and Afrikaans. Use the language filter above the papers to show only one.

Is there a Geography practice quiz?

Yes. The exam questions quiz on this page has 37 questions taken word for word from real DBE Geography papers. The memo answer shows after you try each question.