The day’s most eagerly awaited contest, saw defending champions, Presbyterian Boys' Secondary School, face off against Mfantsipim School, the legendary "Landlords of Cape Coast," and the formidable Osei Tutu SHS. The contest reached a thrilling crescendo as the teams clashed head-to-head, ultimately pushing the defending champions into an intense tiebreaker.
By the end of the contest, Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School narrowly missed a place in the Grand Finale, a dramatic twist that had the packed SGS Auditorium roaring. Mfantsipim’s and Osei Tutu’s supporters electrified the venue, uniting in jubilant song and spirit that celebrated an unforgettable triumph for Cape Coast.
The contest began with all three schools determined to make a mark, making the contest fierce from the start. By the end of Round One, Mfantsipim School led with 23 points, followed by Presbyterian Boys' Secondary School with 21 points and Osei Tutu SHS with 12 points. The first round was marked by several protests, indicating how competitive the contest was.
In Round Two, the "Prudential Life Insurance Speed Race," the competition intensified. Despite a fierce challenge from Presbyterian Boys' SHS, Mfantsipim School kept their lead, ending with 30 points, while Presbyterian Boys' SHS had 27 points. Osei Tutu SHS continued to struggle as they ended the round with 10 points.
In Round Three, all three schools impressed the Quiz Mistress, as she called for applause for them. For the first time in the competition this year, all three schools had a perfect score of 10 points in the "Problem of the Day" which required them to solve a Mathematical question on "Probability."
PRESEC-Legon continued their push to gain the lead in the contest in Round Four, the "Jupay Money Transfer True or False." The reigning champions succeeded, as they ended the round in the lead with 53 points, with Mfantsipim School and Osei Tutu SHS having 50 points and 27 points, respectively.
In Round Five, it was still not too clear who would win the contest, but after all three schools failed to answer the first riddle in the GOIL Super Bonanza, Mfantsipim School got the second riddle right to move to 53 points. The next two riddles went unanswered, bringing a tie in the contest between Mfantsipim School and Presbyterian Boys' SHS.
In the tiebreaker, Mfansipim School exhibited quick thinking, as they were the first to answer the riddle to win the contest and secure their place in the Grand Finale, denying Presbyterian Boys' SHS a record-extending 9th NSMQ title.
Round-by-Round Scores for this contest stood as follows:
Round One General Questions (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology)
Osei Tutu SHS 12
Mfantsipim School 23
PRESEC, Legon 21
Round Two (Prudential Life Insurance Speed Race)
Osei Tutu SHS 10
Mfantsipim School 30
PRESEC, Legon 27
Round Three (Problem of the Day)
Osei Tutu SHS 20
Mfantsipim School 40
PRESEC, Legon 37
Round Four (Jupay Money Transfer True/False)
Osei Tutu SHS 27
Mfantsipim School 50
PRESEC, Legon 53
Round Five (GOIL Riddle Bonanza)
Osei Tutu SHS 27
Mfantsipim School 53
PRESEC, Legon 53
*Mfantsipim won with a tiebreaker.
The National Science & Maths Quiz is produced by Primetime Limited and proudly sponsored by the Ghana Education Service, in partnership with GOIL PLC, and supported by Joy News, Pepsodent, Jupay Money Transfer, Prudential Life Insurance Ghana, Beta Malt, ALX, KIVO, Bel Beverages, Flora Tissues, Coronation Insurance, Accra College of Medicine, University of Mines & Technology (UMaT), Academic City University College, PMMC Jewellery, GTP, CHASS, YFM and Girlmark Foundation.