Marking can either commence at the termination of the examination or a staggered approach can be adopted where marking commences while the examination is in progress. In this approach the scripts are marked soon/immediately after they are written. The advantage of this approach is that it removes the pressure associated with marking at the end of the examination and the problems associated with assembling a large number of markers during a stipulated period at three or four marking centres. This approach to marking, however, has implications for centres as markers are withdrawn from centres. It also has repercussions relating to the conditions of service of educators, since marking is done during the centre term.

The marking procedure in terms of the different learning areas should be left to the chief examiner. "Script marking" may be used in certain subjects, rather than "question marking". The "question marking" approach creates logistical problems but it is advantageous in contributing to standardisation in the marking process.