Matric exam highlighter rule explained by chief invigilator in SA (video)

A South African chief invigilator set the record straight on what matric candidates can and cannot do with highlighters during exams
The educator, who also works as a matric marker, clarified that question papers belong to candidates and can be marked up freely
Many viewers shared that their schools had been applying completely different rules, sparking a wave of confusion and questions

A South African educator went viral after answering one of matric season's most hotly debated questions. Known on Instagram as @miss.angler, she posted the video on 13 October in response to a comment. A follower named Kearabetswe asked whether candidates were allowed to use highlighters on their question papers.

An educator shed light on a specific matric exam rule in a video. Image: @miss.angler
Source: TikTok

Her answer was direct. Yes, they can. But there are important conditions attached. The educator introduced herself upfront: she is the chief invigilator at her school and a matric marker at the end of each year. With that background established, she explained that the question paper belongs to the candidate and goes home with them after the exam. Markers and government officials never see it. That means learners are free to scribble, annotate, and highlight on the question paper to their heart's content.

What they cannot do is write in or highlight their answer booklet, since that is the document handed in at the end of the exam. There is one more rule many learners get wrong. Highlighting is only permitted once the exam has officially begun. During reading time, candidates must read only and may not mark anything on the paper.

The one exception to these rules applies to mathematics. Because maths includes a printed answer booklet, candidates may highlight on diagrams such as circle geometry figures. However, they may not use a highlighter in the answer section beneath a diagram, where written responses go. @miss.angler was also firm about the authority behind these rules. If a school is telling learners they cannot highlight at all, she said, that school is applying its own policy, not a government directive. She challenged anyone who disagreed to produce an official government document backing those restrictions. Watch the video that sparked the debate below:

SA reacts to matric exam tip

The comments section filled up quickly, with many learners and parents sharing that their schools had been doing exactly what she described as incorrect:

@zaheeda_miya said:

"I also found it very strange when my son's school told them no highlighters allowed. Not that it's not allowed on answer sheets, but totally not allowed. So uncool!"

@asma23cassim shared:

"When I was in matric in 2023, we were not allowed to leave a single speck on the question paper, and they took it in. They made it as if it was a criminal offence 😂"

@ristowlexi added:

"Just a point from a mom and an ex-invigilator: a lot of schools collect the exam papers and don't allow the kids to take them home (and are basically making up their own rules). This is where I think the confusion comes in."

@laurenjames_1 said:

"What's the point of reading time if you're not able to highlight important standout stuff? This gives more time during answering questions if you identified problem areas during reading time."

@lesedi.khom responded:

"My school takes the question papers 😭😭"

@nathanielstrydom_ shared:

"I would always colour-coordinate my answers in mathematics, specifically if it's 8-marks steps 😭"

Matric exam highlighter rule explained by chief invigilator in SA (video)

SA reacts to matric exam tip

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