NSMQ 2026: Third Time’s the Charm! AUGUSCO Storms Grand Finale, Overpowers Prempeh College and Pope John SHS & Min. Sem.!
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Main Auditorium – September 3, 2026 After three days of intense competition at the Quarter-Finals, the NSMQ 2026 Semi-Finals has begun, featuring Pope John SHS & Min. Sem., Prempeh College, and St. Augustine’s College. The Main Auditorium of the University of Cape Coast was charged with anticipation as the three schools with proud NSMQ histories took their places for the first Semi-final contest.
The atmosphere was electric even before the first question. The three schools opened with their school anthems and 'jama' songs, filling the auditorium with chants and spirited voices, before Quiz Mistress, Prof. Elsie Effah Kaufmann interacted with the contestants and set the contest in motion.
The General Questions in Round One immediately suggested that this would be a contest of fine margins. Prempeh College and St. Augustine’s College both scored 16 points, while Pope John SHS & Min. Sem. followed closely with 15 points. But St. Augustine’s College was only warming up.
The Trustur AI Speed Race, Round Two saw the AUGUSCO's side move into a stronger position, scoring 26 points against Prempeh College’s 25 points, while Pope John SHS & Min. Sem. managed with 15 points. Then came the first major turning point.
In the Prudential Life NSMQ Star – Problem of the Day, St. Augustine’s College exploded into the lead with an impressive 35 points. Prempeh College scored 30 points, while Pope John SHS & Min. Sem. 18 points. The momentum was now firmly with the Cape Coast boys.
With the pressure mounting, the Jupay Money Transfer True/False Round Four, provided another opportunity for the schools to change the narrative. St. Augustine’s College once again dominated, scoring 48 points. Prempeh College followed with 37 points, while Pope John SHS & Min. Sem. could only manage 28 points.
By the time the contest entered the final GOIL Super Bonanza, Round Five, the battle for the top spot had tilted heavily in favour of St. Augustine’s College. The school finished the contest with a commanding 52 points, ahead of Prempeh College’s 47 points and Pope John SHS & Min. Sem.'s 28 points.
The final round also brought some consolation for the top performers, with Prempeh College and St. Augustine’s College walking away with GH₵2,000 and GH₵600, respectively, from the GOIL Super Bonanza.
Prempeh College’s run from the One-eighth Stage to the Semi-finals ended in disappointment as they fell to St. Augustine’s College. The four-time champions attributed their defeat partly to a lack of timely advice during the contest but remain determined to return stronger next year.
For Pope John SHS and Minor Seminary, the defeat extends their 25-year wait for another NSMQ title, with the team hopeful of making a stronger comeback next year.
Round One – General Questions (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology)
Prempeh College 16 points
St. Augustine’s College 16 points
Pope John SHS & Min. Sem. 15 points
Round Two – Trustur AI Speed Race
St. Augustine’s College 26 points
Prempeh College 25 points
Pope John SHS & Min. Sem. 15 points
Round Three – Prudential Life NSMQ Star (Problem of the Day)
St. Augustine’s College 35 points
Prempeh College 30 points
Pope John SHS & Min. Sem. 18 points
Round Four – Jupay Money Transfer True/False
St. Augustine’s College 48 points
Prempeh College 37 points
Pope John SHS & Min. Sem. 28 points
Round Five – GOIL Super Bonanza
St. Augustine’s College 52 points
Prempeh College 47 points
Pope John SHS & Min. Sem. 28 points
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.
