NSMQ 2026 Quarter-finals in Review: Surprises, Comebacks and New Milestones
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The Quarter-final Stage of the 2026 National Science & Maths Quiz (NSMQ) delivered three days of intense competition, unexpected victories, remarkable comebacks and nail-biting finishes that kept audiences on the edge of their seats.
With a place in the Semi-final Stage at stake, the 27 schools battled fiercely for the nine available tickets. By the end of the Quarter-finals, nine schools remained in contention for the coveted NSMQ 2026 championship.
The Numbers Tell the Story
The Quarter-finals produced a wide range of winning scores, with Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC) recording the highest winning score of 56 points.
The average winning score is 43 points which was obtained by St. John’s School.
At the other end of the scale, Bright SHS secured the lowest winning score of the stage, advancing with 27 points in a closely contested matchup.
The contrasting scores reflected the unpredictable nature of the Quarter-finals, where every point mattered and no school could afford to relax until the final question.
Bright SHS Makes History
One of the biggest stories of the Quarter-finals came from Bright SHS.
In their third appearance in the NSMQ, the school secured its first-ever Semi-final qualification, marking a significant milestone in its history.
The achievement also made Bright SHS the first private school to reach the Semi-final Stage of the competition, adding another remarkable chapter to the school's NSMQ journey.
The Gender Breakdown
The Quarter-final field reflected the diversity of schools competing for the NSMQ crown.
Of the 27 schools that contested the Quarter-finals:
13 were mixed schools
12 were boys’ schools
2 were girls’ schools
The Semi-final lineup, however, saw a notable shift.
Six boys’ schools and three mixed schools progressed to the next stage, while none of the two girls’ schools secured a Semi-final ticket.
The figures highlight the competitive landscape of this year’s championship as the field narrows towards the Grand Finale.
A Semi-final Field from Five Regions
The nine schools that emerged from the Quarter-finals represent five regions across Ghana, demonstrating the nationwide reach of the NSMQ.
The Greater Accra Region leads the regional representation with three schools which include Achimota School, Presbyterian Boys’ School and Accra Academy. The Eastern Region followed with two schools, and they include Bright SHS and Pope John SHS & Minor Seminary.
The Ashanti region is represented by Prempeh College, the Western region is represented by St. John’s School, the Central region is represented by St. Augustine’s College, and the Northern region is represented by Tamale SHS.
With the competition now down to nine schools, regional pride will be firmly on the line as the remaining contenders battle for places in the Grand Finale.
The Road Gets Tougher
The Quarter-finals may be over, but the competition is only getting more intense.
From the highest-scoring victories to the narrowest escapes, the past three days have shown that reputation alone is not enough to guarantee progress in the NSMQ. Every question, every point and every decision can make the difference between advancing and going home.
With just nine schools left standing, the Semi-final Stage promises even more pressure, drama and excitement as the contenders take another step towards the ultimate prize.
The Quarter-finals have set the stage. Now, the race for the crown truly begins.
The 2026 edition of the National Science & Maths Quiz is produced by Primetime Limited and proudly sponsored by the Ghana Education Service (GES), with support from GOIL PLC, Joy News, Prudential Life Insurance Ghana, Pepsodent, Cowbell, Trustur AI, Jupay Money Transfer, Lumevax, GTP, SpinCiti Laundromat, Didi Jollof, Bel Beverages, Accra College of Medicine, Coronation Insurance Ghana, Academic City University, Baldwin University College and YFM.
