Pretoria - Happy, smiling faces was the order of the day as Grade 12 learners left their exam rooms after a three hour Accounting paper on Tuesday.
While accounting is not always every pupils favourite subject - most matriculants from high schools across Pretoria said though the subject needed a lot of preparation work, it was a breeze.
"I'm done with Accounting and I'm so happy, question three was so easy, I would be surprised if I don't get 100 percent in that section," shouted one learner from the South African College.
Most learners at schools shared the view that they had enjoyed the fairness of the paper.
Azukile Xuba, 19, from the College said he was shocked at how easy the paper was compared to the previous papers he had written during the year.
"I was getting 25 percent during the tests even the trial exams and had already given up on passing Accounting, how wrong I was, the paper was so easy," said Azukile.
He however, admitted that his bad performance during the year was due to his failure to commit to his studies.
"Accounting is not an easy subject and you have to practice on a daily basis, but I was lazy hence I was not performing well during the year and I'm happy this time I came in prepared and have no doubt that I will get a C, the maximum," an elated Azukile said.
His school mate Keabetswe Dikgale, 17, said the paper was straight forward and questions were clear, which made it easier for her to answer.
A confident Keabetswe said she was not expecting anything less than 70 percent.
"Normally, when writing Accounting, one has to think deep before answering, but today, it was nice and the standard was not that high.
"I'm definitely going to get between 70 and 80 percent, I've already calculated the marks I've missed, they are just a few," she said after hugging her friend.
An optimistic, Tshidiso Mokoena, 17, from Berea Park High School said he was relieved it was all over.
"I was panicking in the morning thinking that I won't make it since I had to pass accounting as I'm going to study Chartered Accounting next year, but my fears has been allayed, I'm definitely going to pass, this is the happiest day of my exams," said Mokoena with a sigh.
A total of 581 573 full time candidates and 38 595 repeat candidates are currently writing their matric exams, which will end on 4 December 2009.
This is the second year matrics writing exams based on the National Curriculum Statement, the phasing in of which was completed last year.
This year's matric results will be released on 7 January 2010, instead of December, to allow more time to verify and check all results before they are released.