Pretoria - Tough and very challenging - this is how some Grade 12 learners described today's Mathematics Paper 1 exam.
"It was hard and I struggled with some of the calculations. I guess I will have to work hard and make up on the second paper on Monday," said 18-year-old Katlego Nakampi from Pro Arte Alphen Park School after writing the paper.
Katlego, however, hoped she would at least get more than 50 percent.
Also frustrated by the paper was Queensburg Girls High School learner in KwaZulu-Natal, Linda Mdladla, 17, who found the paper difficult.
"Maths is very hard. The graphs and functions were confusing and I don't even know how much I will get. At least I always do well in Paper 2 and other subjects. I have to do well next time," said Mdladla.
Lesego Marakalla, 18, from South African College attributed her success in today's paper to the extra classes she had been attending at her school.
"I just called my cousin in Mpumalanga and she was complaining about the paper, saying it was very hard but for me it was not that bad... thanks to the extra classes we had, they helped a lot.
"The first two questions were very challenging for me and I ended up spending more time stuck on them, but next week I'll try to be calm and avoid wasting time on questions I don't know," Marakalla said, adding that she was gunning for a 70 percent.
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.
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga told BuaNews on Friday that everything was going well since the start of the exams on Monday.
"We haven't received any negative reports since the start of the exams. Some of the learners are upbeat but it's only the beginning, we will see when they start writing serious papers in the coming weeks," Motshekga said.
