NSMQ 2026: One-Eighth stage beckons as 81 schools chase national glory

The 2026 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) is entering another crucial phase as 81 schools prepare to compete in 27 One-Eighth Stage contests for a place in the quarter-finals. The schools have reached this stage through different routes. Forty-nine qualified automatically after winning their preliminary contests, while five of the highest-scoring losing schools earned another opportunity to continue their campaigns.

They will be joined by 27 seeded schools, bringing the total number of schools competing in the One-Eighth Stage to 81. With three schools featuring in each contest, the stage promises another round of intense academic battles as teams compete across science, mathematics and general knowledge for the chance to progress. The One-Eighth Stage is scheduled to take place from Wednesday, August 26 to Friday, August 28, 2026, with nine contests expected to be held each day.

For the schools entering this stage, there is little room for error. The preliminary stage offered opportunities to find their feet, but the One-Eighth Stage raises the stakes considerably. Some of the country’s most experienced NSMQ teams will be looking to maintain their momentum, while others will be hoping to pull off upsets and secure a place among the final 27 quarter-finalists.

Here are the schools that will compete across the 27 One-Eighth Stage contests: The race for the 2026 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) trophy has entered a crucial stage, with 81 schools set to battle for places in the One-Eighth stage. The One-Eighth Stage field is made up of 49 schools that qualified automatically from the Preliminary stage, the five highest-scoring losing schools from the preliminaries and 27 seeded schools, all of whom will now compete for progression to the next stage.

With the preliminaries now complete, the competition has reached the point where every contest carries even greater weight. One strong performance could push a school closer to the coveted trophy, while a single defeat could bring its campaign to an end. The 49 automatic qualifiers earned their places by winning their respective preliminary contests, while the five highest-scoring losing schools secured another opportunity to remain in the competition.

The 27 seeded schools, who entered the championship at this stage, will also join the battle as the competition moves closer to the coveted trophy and the ultimate bragging rights. The stage is expected to produce more thrilling encounters as some of Ghana’s strongest academic teams go head-to-head for the limited places in the next round. For the schools involved, the stakes extend beyond simply winning a contest.