Preparations for the 27th edition of the National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) continue in earnest as the regional qualifiers are underway.

On Monday, Bia Senior High and Technical School became the first school to qualify; a feat that also saw them earning a debut at the national level of the Primetime show.

They were followed by Bibiani Senior High and Technical School (SHTS) who came from behind in the penultimate round to earn 21 points after the final round, beat Nsawora SHS who maintained 18 points from the previous round.

Favourites in that contest, Sefwi Wiawso SHTS did not live up to the task and crushed out with 18 points as well.

Asawinso SHS earned 15 points and Dadieso SHS trailed on 11 points.

In the Western Region, Archbishop Porter Girls SHS lived up to the billing and recorded an emphatic victory over Sekondi College – who were tipped to put up a fierce challenge – and three other schools.

Tarkwa SHS picked the last slot for Monday with a decisive 35 points. Nkroful Agric SHS and Annor Adjaye SHS trailed the victors on 21 points while Asankragwa SHS and Hunni Valley SHS both finished with 13 points apiece.

On Tuesday, the first contest recorded two dramatic moments with Nsein SHS upsetting favourites Fijai SHS.

After the battle for supremacy between the two schools, Nsein carried the day with 40 points while Fijai trailed with 31 points.

Down at the bottom, Manso Amenfi ended the contest with a record -1 points, the first school to finish a contest with less than zero points this year.

Esiama SHS scored 18 points in the tie while Benso SHTS and Methodist SHS scored five points and three points respectively.

St. Mary’s Boys’ SHS was next to qualify to the prelims after they garnered 34 points to beat closest competitors, Fiaseman SHS who scored 23 points.

Other scores in the tie were Amenfiman SHS: 14pts, Baidoo Bonsoe SHTS: 11pts and Axim Girls' SHS: 7pts.

Ahantaman Girls' SHS also led their pack with 28 points followed by Half Assini SHS’ 15pts as St. Augustine's SHS managed to secure 12pts while Adiembra SHS and Mpohor SHS trailed with 13 and 10 points respectively.

In the final contest, Bompeh SHS qualified with 26 points with 2019 prelims makers, Uthman Bin Affan SHS failing to make it through with five points short.

The other scores were Diabene SHTS: 6pts, Prestea SHTS: 6pts, Bonzo Kaku SHS: 4pts and Asankragwa SHTS: 1pt.