Gauteng Department of Education Exam Assistants 2026: Requirements, Pay and How to Apply
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) is recruiting 1,537 temporary examination support staff for the 2026 examination period, offering opportunities across Gauteng districts, Head Office and designated marking centres.
The recruitment consists of 277 Examination Assistant positions and 1,260 Quality Assurer positions. Eligible registered tertiary students, unemployed graduates and other unemployed applicants with recognised tertiary qualifications may apply if they meet the stated requirements.
A key requirement is Mathematics or Accounting, with applicants also expected to demonstrate advanced numerical skills.
Applications opened on 26 August 2026 and close on 8 September 2026.
Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Gauteng Department of Education |
| Directorate | Examinations Management |
| Opportunity | Examination Assistant & Quality Assurer |
| Location | Gauteng, South Africa |
| Examination Assistants | 277 |
| Quality Assurers | 1,260 |
| Total Opportunities | 1,537 |
| Qualification | Senior Certificate, NSC, NC(V) or equivalent; tertiary qualifications where applicable |
| Age | Not specified in supplied information |
| Duration | 2026 examination period |
| Stipend / Package | As per applicable PAM rates |
| Opening Date | 26 August 2026 |
| Closing Date | 8 September 2026 |
| Application Method | Online |
Why This Opportunity Matters
The GDE recruitment provides temporary work experience within the examination administration environment.
The two categories have different responsibilities. Examination Assistants focus heavily on the receiving, scanning, checking, packing, indexing and archiving of examination material, while Quality Assurers work at marking centres and help check scripts, marks, totals and discrepancies.
For applicants interested in administration, education, public-sector work or other structured office environments, the positions can provide exposure to a highly organised operational environment.
However, applicants should pay particular attention to the Mathematics or Accounting requirement, because numerical accuracy is central to the work.
Who Can Apply?
Based on the supplied GDE information, applicants should meet the relevant academic and eligibility requirements.
Potential applicants include:
- Registered students at tertiary institutions.
- Unemployed graduates.
- Unemployed people with one or more tertiary qualifications.
- Applicants with a recognised Senior Certificate, National Senior Certificate, National Senior Certificate Vocational or equivalent qualification, where applicable.
- Applicants with advanced numerical skills.
- Applicants who meet the compulsory Mathematics or Accounting requirement.
Second-year tertiary students and above will be advantaged.
Applicants who have previously worked as Examination Assistants should also indicate this experience where applicable.
Who Should Not Apply?
The supplied information states that the following people may not apply or will not be considered:
- Persons writing National Senior Certificate examinations in 2026.
- Persons writing Senior Certificate examinations in 2026.
- Persons writing AET examinations in 2026.
- Persons who have taken the VSP.
- Persons who are employed elsewhere.
Applicants should carefully check their circumstances before submitting an application.
Requirements
Applicants should pay particular attention to the following requirements:
- Appropriate recognised academic qualification.
- Mathematics or Accounting as a compulsory requirement.
- Advanced numerical skills.
- Eligibility as specified by the GDE.
- Applicants who are currently employed elsewhere are not eligible according to the supplied information.
- Applicants writing the specified 2026 examinations are excluded.
- Second-year tertiary students and above will be advantaged.
- Previous Examination Assistant experience should be declared where applicable.
Mathematics or Accounting Requirement
This is one of the most important requirements in the recruitment.
The work involves checking examination marks, totals, marksheets, scripts and discrepancies. Applicants therefore need strong numerical accuracy.
If you do not meet the stated Mathematics or Accounting requirement, you should carefully review the official advert before applying.
Stipend / Salary
The supplied vacancy information does not provide a specific rand amount.
The package is stated as:
As per applicable Personnel Administrative Measures (PAM) rates.
YouthScope therefore does not recommend estimating a monthly amount unless the official GDE documentation provides one.
Applicants should consult the official vacancy information for the applicable payment arrangements.
Duration
These are temporary examination support opportunities for the 2026 examination period.
The supplied information does not state a fixed number of months, so applicants should not assume that the positions represent permanent employment or a specific 12-month programme.
Examination Assistant Positions – 277 Opportunities
The GDE has 277 Examination Assistant positions available.
Successful applicants may be placed at district offices or Head Office.
Applicants must select the appropriate location and use the corresponding reference number.
| Location | Reference |
|---|---|
| Head Office | HO26 |
| Gauteng North | GN26 |
| Gauteng West | GW26 |
| Tshwane North | TN26 |
| Tshwane South | TS26 |
| Gauteng East | GE26 |
| Ekurhuleni North | EN26 |
| Sedibeng East | SE26 |
| Sedibeng West | SW26 |
| Johannesburg East | JE26 |
| Johannesburg North | JN26 |
| Johannesburg South | JS26 |
| Johannesburg Central | JC26 |
| Johannesburg West | JW26 |
| Tshwane West | TW26 |
| Ekurhuleni South | ES26 |
Examination Assistant Duties
Depending on the assigned work area, Examination Assistants may be responsible for:
- Receiving examination scripts.
- Checking and controlling scripts.
- Scanning scripts.
- Packing scripts for marking.
- Indexing and archiving scripts.
- Checking script and marksheet quantities.
- Checking batches, subjects, papers and examination sessions.
- Preparing scripts for the correct marking venue.
- Identifying discrepancies.
- Checking MP Flow control lists.
- Checking colour-coded marking venue labels.
- Creating marking centre files.
- Assisting with dispatch to marking venues.
- Receiving and archiving marked scripts.
Quality Assurer Positions – 1,260 Opportunities
The GDE is recruiting 1,260 Quality Assurers for designated marking centres throughout Gauteng.
Applicants must select the relevant marking centre and use its corresponding reference number during the application process.
The supplied marking-centre list includes locations such as:
- Alberton High School
- Allen Glen High School
- Hoerskool Garsfontein
- Hoerskool President
- Nokuthula Special School
- Bracken High School
- Bryanston High School
- Florida High School
- Hoerskool Birchleigh
- Hoerskool Dinamika
- Hoerskool Voortrekker
- Parktown Boys High School
- Queens High School
- Rand Girls High School
- Rand Park Ridge High School
- UJ Metropolitan High School
- Hoerskool Elspark
- Hoerskool Florida
- Ferndale High School
- Greenside High School
- Mondeor High School
- Sir John Adams High School
Applicants should use the official advert/application portal to confirm the exact reference number for their selected centre.
Quality Assurer Duties
Quality Assurers may be required to:
- Receive and control examination scripts.
- Distribute scripts to marking teams.
- Check the number of scripts and marksheets.
- Assist with script scanning and distribution.
- Check that questions have been marked.
- Check that marks have been correctly added.
- Verify marks transferred to script covers.
- Check total marks.
- Check totals transferred to marksheets.
- Identify discrepancies.
- Ensure corrections are made.
- Reconcile examination scripts.
- Arrange scripts numerically for archival.
The role therefore requires accuracy, concentration and strong numerical skills.
Documents Required
Applicants should prepare the documents requested by the official application system or advert.
Where applicable, applicants may need information or documentation relating to:
- Identity details.
- Academic qualifications.
- Tertiary registration.
- Previous examination-related experience.
- Other information requested during the online application.
Important: Do not upload documents that the official application system does not request, and check the official portal for the final document requirements.
How to Apply for GDE Exam Assistants 2026
Applications are submitted online.
Step 1
Visit the official Gauteng examination assistants application portal.
Step 2
Review the available Examination Assistant and Quality Assurer opportunities.
Step 3
Select the position you wish to apply for.
Step 4
Select the appropriate district, Head Office or marking centre.
Step 5
Use the correct reference number for your selected location.
Step 6
Complete the online application with accurate information.
Step 7
Review your information before submitting the application.
Step 8
Submit your application before 8 September 2026.
Important: Using an incorrect reference number may result in the application not being processed.
Important Before You Apply
Before submitting your application, check these points carefully:
- Mathematics or Accounting is compulsory according to the supplied information.
- You must meet the relevant academic requirements.
- You cannot apply if you are employed elsewhere.
- Certain applicants writing examinations in 2026 are excluded.
- Second-year tertiary students and above will be advantaged.
- Select the correct location.
- Enter the correct reference number.
- Declare previous Examination Assistant experience if applicable.
- Submit before the deadline.
- Use the official application portal rather than unofficial application links.
Application Closing Date
The GDE application window is:
Opening date: 26 August 2026
Closing date: 8 September 2026
Applicants are encouraged to apply early rather than waiting until the final day.
Enquiries
Contact: Mr Harry Culling
Telephone: 010 601 8082
Email: ExamAssistants@gauteng.gov.za
The supplied information identifies the email address for enquiries. Applications should be submitted through the official online portal unless the department specifically instructs applicants otherwise.
Official Source
Organisation: Gauteng Department of Education
Directorate: Examinations Management
Official application portal: examassistants.gauteng.gov.za
Application opening date: 26 August 2026
Closing date: 8 September 2026
Verification status: Based on the GDE opportunity information supplied for this article.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many GDE Examination Assistant opportunities are available?
There are 277 Examination Assistant opportunities available for the 2026 examination period.
2. How many Quality Assurer positions are available?
The GDE is recruiting 1,260 Quality Assurers.
3. How many opportunities are available in total?
There are 1,537 opportunities in total.
4. Is Mathematics or Accounting required?
Yes. The supplied information states that Mathematics or Accounting is compulsory and that applicants should have advanced numerical skills.
5. Can unemployed graduates apply?
Yes. Unemployed graduates and unemployed applicants with tertiary qualifications are among the groups identified as potential applicants, provided they meet the stated requirements.
6. Can tertiary students apply?
Yes. Registered tertiary students can apply if they meet the requirements. Second-year tertiary students and above will be advantaged.
7. What is the GDE Exam Assistant closing date?
Applications close on 8 September 2026.
8. Where do I apply?
Applications are submitted online through the official Gauteng examination assistants portal.
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YouthScope Verification
Source: Gauteng Department of Education opportunity information supplied for publication
Last checked: 29 August 2026
Status: Open — applications close 8 September 2026
Editorial Information
Author: YouthScope Editorial Team
Reviewer: YouthScope Editorial Review
Published: 29 August 2026
Updated: 29 August 2026
The YouthScope Editorial Team publishes verified South African learnerships, internships, bursaries, graduate programmes, and career opportunities. Our team researches opportunities from official employers, government departments, SETAs, universities, and trusted organisations to provide accurate career information for South African youth.