More than half-a-million public school pupils have registered to write matric this year, according to Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga.
"The total number of learners registered at public schools that will be writing the 2014 NSC [National Senior Certificate] is 524,495," she said in written reply to a parliamentary question on Thursday.
This figure excluded pupils registered at independent schools.
A table included in the reply giving a breakdown of the number of full-time Grade 12 pupils (excluding those from independent schools) enrolled for a particular subject, shows 305,084 will be sitting the mathematical literacy exam, while 219,349 are enrolled for the separate subject of mathematics.
A total of 162,712 are studying physical science.
The two subjects with the highest enrolment are life orientation (524,448) and English first additional language (433,039).
Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.