After five days of intense preliminaries marked by close calls, bold comebacks, heartbreaks, and triumphs, the race for the 2025 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) has now entered a new phase.

The competition has officially advanced to the one-eighth stage, the point at which tension deepens, margins tighten, and every answer becomes a defining moment.

Balloting for this stage has been completed, setting up contests that are expected to deliver high stakes and unforgettable quiz-room drama.

At this level, 27 seeded schools, those that progressed to the quarterfinals or further in last year’s edition, rejoin the fray.

They are set to face the preliminary qualifiers and top performers drawn from Pots A, B, and C based on their ranking and performance.

This is the stage where reputations are tested, new stars emerge, and favourites can fall. The journey to national glory has only begun, and from here, every point counts.

The one-eighth stage is scheduled to take place from October 26 to 28, 2025. Schools that triumph in this stage will progress to the quarter-finals.

Here Are the One-Eighth Stage Matchups