NSC PRELIMS BREAKDOWN 2026
Contents
Grade 12 Consumer Studies: Trends & Predictions ................................................................................ 3
SECTION 1: THE CONSUMER — EXAM-READY MASTER NOTES .............................................................. 6
A. CONTRACTS & CONSUMER PROTECTION ....................................................................................... 6
2. RENTAL CONTRACT.......................................................................................................................... 8
3. COOLING-OFF PERIOD ..................................................................................................................... 9
4. EXEMPTION CLAUSES .................................................................................................................... 10
5. PARALLEL / GREY GOODS .............................................................................................................. 11
6. WARRANTY / GUARANTEE ............................................................................................................ 12
7. UNFAIR BUSINESS PRACTICES ....................................................................................................... 12
8. CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT & NATIONAL CREDIT ACT ............................................................. 14
B. SCAMS & FINANCIAL FRAUD ..................................................................................................... 14
11. REQUIREMENTS FOR A LEGAL STOKVEL.................................................................................. 16
12. STOKVEL vs PYRAMID SCHEME ............................................................................................... 16
13. TECHNOLOGY AND STOKVELS ................................................................................................. 16
14. DIRECT AND INDIRECT TAX .......................................................................................................... 17
15. TYPES OF TAX............................................................................................................................... 18
17. REPO RATE ................................................................................................................................... 21
19. INFLATION ................................................................................................................................... 21
20. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — CPI.................................................................................................. 21
21. CAUSES OF FOOD INFLATION ...................................................................................................... 23
22. HOW CONSUMERS CAN COPE WITH INFLATION ........................................................................ 23
23. BAD DEBT .................................................................................................................................... 23
24. FOSSIL FUELS ............................................................................................................................... 24
25. RENEWABLE ENERGY................................................................................................................... 25
26. RESPONSIBLE ELECTRICITY USE ................................................................................................... 25
27. SOLAR ENERGY ............................................................................................................................ 26
28. WIND POWER .............................................................................................................................. 26
29. HYDROPOWER............................................................................................................................. 27
31. MUNICIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES..................................................................................................... 28
32. MUNICIPAL SERVICE DELIVERY — EVALUATION .......................................................................... 29
SECTION 2: FOOD & NUTRITION — EXAM-READY MASTER NOTES ...................................................... 32
E. HYPERTENSION / HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE .................................................................................... 43
F. OSTEOPOROSIS .............................................................................................................................. 45
20. DAIRY / LACTOSE INTOLERANCE ................................................................................................. 49
1
,NSC PRELIMS BREAKDOWN 2026
22. Gluten intolerance ...................................................................................................................... 52
24. HIV/AIDS + TB — improving immunity ........................................................................................ 53
26. DYSENTERY .................................................................................................................................. 55
M. THE FIVE CONDITIONS YOU MUST RECOGNISE IMMEDIATELY .................................................... 56
N. FOOD & NUTRITION QUESTION TYPES ......................................................................................... 56
SECTION 3: CLOTHING — EXAM-READY MASTER NOTES...................................................................... 62
7. SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, POLITICAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL FACTORS ................................................ 68
E. BRAND PIRACY & COUNTERFEIT GOODS ...................................................................................... 71
14. RECYCLING COUNTERFEIT CLOTHING ......................................................................................... 72
F. FAIR TRADE .................................................................................................................................... 73
15. FAIR TRADE MANUFACTURING CODE ......................................................................................... 73
G. ECO-FASHION & SUSTAINABLE TEXTILES ...................................................................................... 73
16. ECO-FASHION CHARACTERISTICS ................................................................................................ 73
17. BAMBOO AS A SUSTAINABLE TEXTILE ......................................................................................... 73
F. NATIONAL HOME BUILDERS REGISTRATION COUNCIL — NHBRC ................................................. 83
13. SECTIONAL TITLE vs FULL TITLE — SCENARIO ............................................................................. 86
HOUSING — NOTES FOR THE 10 CORE EXAM QUESTIONS ............................................................... 96
VITAMINS & MINERALS — ONE-PAGE EXAM STUDY SHEET................................................................ 109
2
,NSC PRELIMS BREAKDOWN 2026
Grade 12 Consumer Studies: Trends & Predictions
Based on the 2025 June marking guidelines and November examination paper, these are the
strongest areas to prioritise. The November paper closely follows the content and structure reflected
in the June marking guidelines.
High-priority predictions
Topic Focus your revision on Likelihood
Feasibility study, pricing calculations, competitive edge, sustainable
Entrepreneurship
production, packaging, stock control
Heart disease, hypertension, obesity, atherosclerosis, HIV/AIDS & TB,
Food & Nutrition
diet guidelines
Contracts, cooling-off periods, sustainable resources, municipal
Consumer
services, consumer legislation
Housing Home loans, costs of buying/building, sectional title, appliances
Fashion cycle/change, professional image, sustainable textiles, brand
Clothing
piracy
Entrepreneurship — very important
Expect learners to be able to apply, not merely define, concepts. Strong possibilities include:
Feasibility study
• Determine whether expenses can be paid and profit made.
• Estimate potential sales.
• Calculate start-up capital.
• Calculate cost and selling prices.
• Identify possible threats.
• Decide whether the business idea should proceed.
Competitive edge
• Excellent customer service.
• Better-quality products.
• Value for money.
• Suitable/accessible location.
Calculations are especially worth practising. The 2025 assessment required production cost + labour
+ percentage mark-up calculations.
Food & Nutrition — prepare scenario questions
3
, NSC PRELIMS BREAKDOWN 2026
Know the cause → dietary management → consequence relationship for:
Obesity • Hypertension • Heart disease • Atherosclerosis • Gastroenteritis • HIV/AIDS & TB •
Anaemia • Diabetes • Osteoporosis
A likely higher-order format is to give learners a recipe/menu and ask them to analyse its suitability
for a particular condition. The 2025 paper, for example, required analysis of a Greek fish stew for
people with heart disease.
Consumer — strong application area
Prioritise:
Contracts
• Rental contracts
• Long-term contracts
• Cooling-off periods
• Direct marketing
• Consumer Protection Act
• Rental Housing Act
Sustainability/services
• Water pollution
• Electricity and hydropower
• Municipal services
• Consumer responsibility
Also prepare for case studies/posters/apps where learners must apply theory rather than simply
recall definitions.
Housing & Clothing
For Housing, concentrate on:
• Building vs buying
• Home-loan documentation
• Sectional-title housing
• Hidden/additional costs
• Appliance selection
• Consumer responsibilities when buying online
• Comparing appliances according to cost, human energy and space
For Clothing, concentrate on:
4
Contents
Grade 12 Consumer Studies: Trends & Predictions ................................................................................ 3
SECTION 1: THE CONSUMER — EXAM-READY MASTER NOTES .............................................................. 6
A. CONTRACTS & CONSUMER PROTECTION ....................................................................................... 6
2. RENTAL CONTRACT.......................................................................................................................... 8
3. COOLING-OFF PERIOD ..................................................................................................................... 9
4. EXEMPTION CLAUSES .................................................................................................................... 10
5. PARALLEL / GREY GOODS .............................................................................................................. 11
6. WARRANTY / GUARANTEE ............................................................................................................ 12
7. UNFAIR BUSINESS PRACTICES ....................................................................................................... 12
8. CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT & NATIONAL CREDIT ACT ............................................................. 14
B. SCAMS & FINANCIAL FRAUD ..................................................................................................... 14
11. REQUIREMENTS FOR A LEGAL STOKVEL.................................................................................. 16
12. STOKVEL vs PYRAMID SCHEME ............................................................................................... 16
13. TECHNOLOGY AND STOKVELS ................................................................................................. 16
14. DIRECT AND INDIRECT TAX .......................................................................................................... 17
15. TYPES OF TAX............................................................................................................................... 18
17. REPO RATE ................................................................................................................................... 21
19. INFLATION ................................................................................................................................... 21
20. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX — CPI.................................................................................................. 21
21. CAUSES OF FOOD INFLATION ...................................................................................................... 23
22. HOW CONSUMERS CAN COPE WITH INFLATION ........................................................................ 23
23. BAD DEBT .................................................................................................................................... 23
24. FOSSIL FUELS ............................................................................................................................... 24
25. RENEWABLE ENERGY................................................................................................................... 25
26. RESPONSIBLE ELECTRICITY USE ................................................................................................... 25
27. SOLAR ENERGY ............................................................................................................................ 26
28. WIND POWER .............................................................................................................................. 26
29. HYDROPOWER............................................................................................................................. 27
31. MUNICIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES..................................................................................................... 28
32. MUNICIPAL SERVICE DELIVERY — EVALUATION .......................................................................... 29
SECTION 2: FOOD & NUTRITION — EXAM-READY MASTER NOTES ...................................................... 32
E. HYPERTENSION / HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE .................................................................................... 43
F. OSTEOPOROSIS .............................................................................................................................. 45
20. DAIRY / LACTOSE INTOLERANCE ................................................................................................. 49
1
,NSC PRELIMS BREAKDOWN 2026
22. Gluten intolerance ...................................................................................................................... 52
24. HIV/AIDS + TB — improving immunity ........................................................................................ 53
26. DYSENTERY .................................................................................................................................. 55
M. THE FIVE CONDITIONS YOU MUST RECOGNISE IMMEDIATELY .................................................... 56
N. FOOD & NUTRITION QUESTION TYPES ......................................................................................... 56
SECTION 3: CLOTHING — EXAM-READY MASTER NOTES...................................................................... 62
7. SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, POLITICAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL FACTORS ................................................ 68
E. BRAND PIRACY & COUNTERFEIT GOODS ...................................................................................... 71
14. RECYCLING COUNTERFEIT CLOTHING ......................................................................................... 72
F. FAIR TRADE .................................................................................................................................... 73
15. FAIR TRADE MANUFACTURING CODE ......................................................................................... 73
G. ECO-FASHION & SUSTAINABLE TEXTILES ...................................................................................... 73
16. ECO-FASHION CHARACTERISTICS ................................................................................................ 73
17. BAMBOO AS A SUSTAINABLE TEXTILE ......................................................................................... 73
F. NATIONAL HOME BUILDERS REGISTRATION COUNCIL — NHBRC ................................................. 83
13. SECTIONAL TITLE vs FULL TITLE — SCENARIO ............................................................................. 86
HOUSING — NOTES FOR THE 10 CORE EXAM QUESTIONS ............................................................... 96
VITAMINS & MINERALS — ONE-PAGE EXAM STUDY SHEET................................................................ 109
2
,NSC PRELIMS BREAKDOWN 2026
Grade 12 Consumer Studies: Trends & Predictions
Based on the 2025 June marking guidelines and November examination paper, these are the
strongest areas to prioritise. The November paper closely follows the content and structure reflected
in the June marking guidelines.
High-priority predictions
Topic Focus your revision on Likelihood
Feasibility study, pricing calculations, competitive edge, sustainable
Entrepreneurship
production, packaging, stock control
Heart disease, hypertension, obesity, atherosclerosis, HIV/AIDS & TB,
Food & Nutrition
diet guidelines
Contracts, cooling-off periods, sustainable resources, municipal
Consumer
services, consumer legislation
Housing Home loans, costs of buying/building, sectional title, appliances
Fashion cycle/change, professional image, sustainable textiles, brand
Clothing
piracy
Entrepreneurship — very important
Expect learners to be able to apply, not merely define, concepts. Strong possibilities include:
Feasibility study
• Determine whether expenses can be paid and profit made.
• Estimate potential sales.
• Calculate start-up capital.
• Calculate cost and selling prices.
• Identify possible threats.
• Decide whether the business idea should proceed.
Competitive edge
• Excellent customer service.
• Better-quality products.
• Value for money.
• Suitable/accessible location.
Calculations are especially worth practising. The 2025 assessment required production cost + labour
+ percentage mark-up calculations.
Food & Nutrition — prepare scenario questions
3
, NSC PRELIMS BREAKDOWN 2026
Know the cause → dietary management → consequence relationship for:
Obesity • Hypertension • Heart disease • Atherosclerosis • Gastroenteritis • HIV/AIDS & TB •
Anaemia • Diabetes • Osteoporosis
A likely higher-order format is to give learners a recipe/menu and ask them to analyse its suitability
for a particular condition. The 2025 paper, for example, required analysis of a Greek fish stew for
people with heart disease.
Consumer — strong application area
Prioritise:
Contracts
• Rental contracts
• Long-term contracts
• Cooling-off periods
• Direct marketing
• Consumer Protection Act
• Rental Housing Act
Sustainability/services
• Water pollution
• Electricity and hydropower
• Municipal services
• Consumer responsibility
Also prepare for case studies/posters/apps where learners must apply theory rather than simply
recall definitions.
Housing & Clothing
For Housing, concentrate on:
• Building vs buying
• Home-loan documentation
• Sectional-title housing
• Hidden/additional costs
• Appliance selection
• Consumer responsibilities when buying online
• Comparing appliances according to cost, human energy and space
For Clothing, concentrate on:
4
