Algebra & equations
P1 · ~25 marksFactorising, quadratic and simultaneous equations, inequalities and surds — the toolkit every Paper 1 question leans on.
Find a tutorMathematics · Grades 8–12
Master Maths, topic by topic.
Find a CAPS Maths tutor for any grade from 8 to matric. The topics below are the Grade 12 syllabus — two papers, ten core topics — because that is the exam everything builds towards, and the earlier grades lay the same foundations. You tell us which topics are shakiest, then we match you with a verified tutor who's strong there.
2
three-hour matric papers,
150 marks each
150 marks each
10
core topics in
Grade 12 Maths
Grade 12 Maths
80%
a distinction
on the NSC scale
on the NSC scale
13 CAPS subjects
More than Maths
UpMark matches verified tutors across 13 CAPS subjects, Grade 8–12. Mathematics is broken down in detail below — the diagnostic works the same way for every subject.
The CAPS curriculum
Every topic in matric Maths
Each figure is a topic's approximate marks out of the 150 in its paper — a rough guide, since the exact split moves a little from year to year. Start with the heaviest gaps.
Functions & graphs
P1 · ~35 marksParabolas, hyperbolas, exponential and inverse functions — interpreting and sketching them is the backbone of Paper 1.
Find a tutorTrigonometry
P2 · ~40 marksIdentities, reduction formulae, equations and the sine, cosine and area rules — a big share of Paper 2.
Find a tutorCalculus
P1 · ~35 marksFirst principles, differentiation rules, cubic graphs and optimisation — where careful method turns into reliable marks.
Find a tutorAnalytical geometry
P2 · ~40 marksDistance, gradient, midpoint, the equation of a line and circle — coordinate geometry that rewards a clear diagram.
Find a tutorEuclidean geometry
P2 · ~50 marksCircle theorems, similarity and proportionality with formal proofs — the part of Paper 2 most students fear and most can master.
Find a tutorProbability
P1 · ~15 marksVenn diagrams, tree diagrams, the addition and product rules and counting principles — quick marks once the rules click.
Find a tutorStatistics
P2 · ~20 marksMean, standard deviation, box-and-whisker, ogives and the regression line — data handling that's almost all method.
Find a tutorFinancial maths
P1 · ~15 marksSimple and compound interest, annuities, loan repayments and depreciation — the most real-world topic in the syllabus.
Find a tutorSequences & series
P1 · ~25 marksArithmetic and geometric patterns, sigma notation and the sum to infinity — pattern-spotting that builds on Grade 11.
Find a tutorStart with the gap
Not sure which of the ten is costing you marks?
A few quick questions about your subjects, your grade, how you'd like to meet and the topics you dread. You get a shortlist of verified tutors, ranked by the topics you flagged, your subject and grade, and distance if you're meeting in person. No card.
Verified Maths tutors
Browse Maths tutorsWhat's true of every Maths tutor on UpMark
Checked before they teach
ID and qualifications confirmed by our team — not just claimed on a profile — before a tutor can take a single lesson.
Matched to your exact subject and grade
Not a keyword search — a tutor only ranks for you if they teach your subject at your grade.
Contact stays on the platform
Messages stay on UpMark, and a linked parent can read their child's conversations with tutors.
Maths, specifically
What students ask about matric Maths
How is matric Maths assessed — Paper 1 vs Paper 2? –
The Grade 12 final is two three-hour papers of 150 marks each. Paper 1 is algebra, equations, functions and graphs, sequences and series, financial maths, calculus and probability. Paper 2 is analytical geometry, trigonometry, Euclidean geometry and statistics. Both count equally, so a gap in either paper costs you the same marks.
What counts as a distinction in Maths? +
On the NSC scale a distinction is 80% and above (Level 7). Level 6 is 70–79%, and you need at least 50% (Level 4) in Maths to meet most degree entry requirements. Every mark you add is plotted against the 80% distinction line once your tutor confirms it.
How many lessons does it take to move up a grade? +
It depends entirely on where you're starting and how much work happens between sessions — UpMark is new, so we don't have the student data to give you an honest average, and we're not going to invent one. What we can say about the subject: topics like statistics, probability and financial maths are almost all method, so they tend to be quicker to fix. Conceptual topics like calculus and Euclidean geometry usually take longer to bed down.
Which maths subjects do tutors cover? +
Tell us which subject you're writing and we only match tutors who teach it. UpMark covers core Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy and Advanced Programme Mathematics, and the diagnostic and tutor cards make the subject clear before you book.
Is a calculator allowed, and which one? +
A non-programmable scientific calculator is allowed in both papers. Your tutor will make sure you're fluent with it — the right sequence of keys for trig, stats and financial maths saves real time and marks under exam pressure.
Start today
Tell us which Maths topics worry you.
Free. No card. Your best-fit Maths tutors, ranked against what you tell us.
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