The preliminary contests of the 2023 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) came to a close on Monday, October 10, with the competition witnessing some of its fiercest content of this year’s prelims stage.

For the first contest, one-time finalist Wesley Girls SHS met three-time champions St Peter’s SHS and newcomers Louis Rutten SHS at the KNUST auditorium. 

This was a match many were anticipating since St Peter’s kicked Wesley Girls out of the contest with 49 points in 2019 - and with a poor showing last year, the girls had a lot riding on their first preliminary stage contest since 2014.

They proved themselves after winning their prelims contest with an impressive score of 56 points.

Their competitors St Peter’s ended the final round with a 37-point score, while newbies Louis Rutten SHS finished with 19 points.

Although they lost the contest, St Peter’s with their score have also secured a slot at the one-eighth stage after making it to the top 12 runners-up list.

For the second prelims contest, Chemu SHS, St Paul’s SHS and Hope College battled in five rounds for a slot in the one-eighth stage.

Chemu SHS advanced with 50 points. Meanwhile, St Paul’s SHS and Hope College finished with 31 and 29 points respectively.

Unfortunately, the two schools will not advance to the next stage.

Achimota School reigned in the third prelims contest of the day with an impressive 60 points to make it to the one-eighth stage.

They beat their competitors Notre Dame Girls’ SHS, and St Francis Girls’ SHS, who ended the contest with 47 and 17 points respectively, to win the contest.

With 47 points, Notre Dame Girls’ SHS also makes it to the one-eighth stage.

Taking the crown of the highest points of the day was Koforidua Secondary Technical School.

With 66 points, they won their contest beating Sehwi Wiawso SHS and Lawra SHS, who had 21 and 17 points respectively.

For the fifth contest, Adidome SHS went against SDA SHS, Agona and Notre Dame Secondary School.

Securing 44 points, Adidome SHS beat SDA SHS with four points to win a slot at the one-eighth stage. Notre Dame, however, lost with 34 points.

Meanwhile, SDA SHS also advances to the one-eighth stage with 40 points.

Aggrey Memorial Zion SHS also advanced to the next stage after beating Apam SHS and Wallas Academy with 40 points in the sixth contest of the day.

Apam SHS and Wallas Academy lost with 35 and 25 points respectively.

Krobo Girls SHS, Queen of Peace SHS and Bueman SHS met for the seventh contest of the day. 

Krobo Girls secured a slot at the one-eighth stage with 31 points while Queen of Peace SHS and Bueman SHS lost with 29 and 19 points respectively.

For the eighth and final contest of the 2023 prelims, Ola SHS, Boa Amponsem SHS and Adiembra battled for the last slot available.

Ola SHS won with 23 points after beating Boa Amponsem SHS in a tiebreaker. Adiembra however ended the contest with 16 points.

Meanwhile, the one-eighth stage will take place in a span of three days, from Wednesday, October 11 to 13.

The 2023 National Science and Maths Quiz is produced by Primetime Limited and sponsored by the Ghana Education Service in partnership with Goil PLC.

The broadcast of the National Science and Maths Quiz on JoyNews and Joy Prime is supported by Vitamilk, NASCO, German Ozone Medical Center, Royal Foam, Jamaa Soap, Heritage Christian College, Virtual Security Africa, Ace Medical Insurance, Chopbox Technologies, Sintex Tank, DBS, Built Financial Technologies, Beta Malt, and Family Health University College.