One-time finalists, St. Francis Xavier Junior Seminary SHS, ended debutants Pentecost SHS, Koforidua’s hopes of reaching the One-Eighth Stage of the 2026 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) with a largely one-sided victory in the Preliminary Stage.

Pentecost SHS were just four points behind after the opening round, but struggled to keep pace as the contest progressed.

St. Francis Xavier led 18-14 after Round One, with Nana Bretu yet to score. The gap widened in the second round as St. Francis Xavier moved to 28 points while Pentecost SHS remained on 14 points. Nana Bretu were still without a point, leaving the contest increasingly tilted towards the two schools at the top.

Pentecost responded in Round Three with seven points, but St. Francis Xavier maintained their lead with nine to take their total to 37 points. Nana Bretu finally got on the scoreboard with two points, but Pentecost still faced a 16-point deficit going into Round Four.

St. Francis Xavier then opened up the contest. Their score climbed to 47 points, while Pentecost SHS reached 25 points and Nana Bretu nine. With a 22-point lead heading into the final round, the former finalists were firmly in command.

The final round brought little change. St. Francis Xavier finished on 56 points, 31 points ahead of Pentecost SHS, who ended on 25 points. Nana Bretu managed 13 points. The result sends St. Francis Xavier into the One-Eighth stage and brings Pentecost’s first NSMQ appearance to an end.

The 2026 National Science and Maths Quiz is produced by Primetime Limited and sponsored by the Ghana Education Service with support from Goil Plc, Prudential Life Insurance, Pepsodent, Trustur AI and Jupay Money Transfer.

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