The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has opened applications for 1,537 temporary examination support posts for the 2026 exam period — 277 Examination Assistants and 1,260 Quality Assurers — based at district offices, Head Office and marking centres across Gauteng. This is one of the biggest temporary government opportunities of the year for students and unemployed graduates, and applications are only open for a short window.
Applications opened on 26 August 2026 and close on 8 September 2026. Apply as soon as possible.
Quick overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Employer | Gauteng Department of Education |
| Directorate | Examinations Management |
| Posts | Examination Assistant (277) and Quality Assurer (1,260) |
| Total opportunities | 1,537 |
| Location | Districts, Head Office and marking centres across Gauteng |
| Pay | As per applicable PAM (Personnel Administrative Measures) rates |
| Duration | 2026 examination period (temporary) |
| Opening date | 26 August 2026 |
| Closing date | 8 September 2026 |
| How to apply | Online only at examassistants.gauteng.gov.za |
What the work involves
Examination Assistants and Quality Assurers support the marking and processing of the 2026 National Senior Certificate exams. The work includes checking marks, totals, marksheets and scripts, capturing information and picking up discrepancies. Accuracy is everything, which is why the department insists on strong numerical skills.
Who can apply
You need an appropriate recognised academic qualification:
- Senior Certificate
- National Senior Certificate (Matric)
- National Senior Certificate Vocational (NCV)
- An equivalent recognised qualification
But Matric alone is not enough. Only the following groups may apply:
- Registered students at tertiary institutions (second-year students and above will be advantaged)
- Unemployed graduates
- Unemployed people with one or more tertiary qualifications
In addition:
- Mathematics or Accounting is compulsory — you must have one of these subjects, plus advanced numerical skills.
- Previous experience as an Examination Assistant or Quality Assurer, at a marking centre or in an office, counts in your favour — mention it in your application.
Who may NOT apply
You will not be considered if you are:
- Writing National Senior Certificate exams in 2026
- Writing Senior Certificate exams in 2026
- Writing AET exams in 2026
- Currently employed
- Someone who has taken a Voluntary Severance Package (VSP)
Documents to prepare
- Updated CV
- Certified copy of your ID
- Certified copy of your Matric certificate
- Certified copies of tertiary qualifications, or proof of current registration for students
- Academic transcripts/results where applicable
Have everything scanned as PDF before you start the online application.
The reference number rule — read this carefully
Each district, Head Office and marking centre has its own reference number (for example GW26 for Gauteng West, TN26 for Tshwane North, TS26 for Tshwane South). You must:
- Apply with the correct reference number for the district or centre where you want to work
- Use the Quality Assurer reference if you are applying for a Quality Assurer post, and the Examination Assistant reference for an Assistant post
The department warns that applications quoting the wrong or missing reference number will not be processed. Choose the district closest to where you live and double-check the code before submitting.
How to apply: step by step
- Go to the official portal: examassistants.gauteng.gov.za — applications are online only.
- Register / log in with your ID number and an email address you check daily.
- Choose the correct post — Examination Assistant or Quality Assurer.
- Select your district or marking centre and confirm the matching reference number.
- Complete the application form with your personal details, qualifications, subjects (make sure Maths or Accounting is listed) and any previous exam-assistant experience.
- Upload your certified documents in PDF.
- Submit before 8 September 2026. Don’t wait for the last day — the portal gets very busy near the deadline.
For queries, the department’s contact address is ExamAssistants@gauteng.gov.za. Do not email applications — only portal applications are accepted.
Tips to improve your chances
- Apply for the district where you actually live — placement is local and travel is your own responsibility.
- Quality Assurers make up 1,260 of the 1,537 posts, so if you qualify for both, the Quality Assurer stream has far more openings.
- List your Maths or Accounting marks clearly.
- Mention any previous exam marking-centre or data-capturing experience.
- Students in second year or above: state your year of study — it counts in your favour.
No fees, no agents
The Gauteng Department of Education does not charge any application fees and does not use agents or WhatsApp groups to recruit exam assistants. Apply only on the official portal.
Summary
If you are a registered tertiary student or unemployed graduate in Gauteng with Mathematics or Accounting, this is a genuine, paid, short-term government opportunity — 1,537 posts for the 2026 exam season. Get your certified documents ready, pick the correct district reference number, and submit your application before 8 September 2026.
Good luck with your application.
APPLY NOW ON THE OFFICIAL PORTAL