A-level results out, pass rate jumps to 94,6pc

THE 2023 Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) November Advanced Level examination results are out with the pass rate jumping by 6,6 percent to 94,6 percent from 88 percent recorded last year.

In a statement yesterday, Zimsec board chairperson Professor Eddie Mwenje said the results are now accessible to all the candidates and authorised personnel online through the Zimsec portal for the next five days while heads of examination centres will be able to collect them for their respective schools/centres from regional offices starting Monday.

He said a total of 34 437 candidates sat for the exams compared to 36 945 who wrote the examinations in November 2022, representing a decrease of 6,79 percent in candidature.

Prof Mwenje said for candidates who wrote two or more subjects, 32 221 obtained a Grade E or better.

“The total number of school candidates in November 2023 was 29 910 as compared to 31 088 in November 2022. Of these, 29 745 wrote two or more subjects, and 28 313 obtained Grade E or better in two or more subjects yielding a percentage pass rate of 95,19 percent whereas, in November 2022, 30 895 candidates wrote two or more subjects and 27 747 obtained Grade E or better in two or more subjects, yielding a percentage pass rate of 89,81 percent,” he said.

Prof Mwenje said there were 4 527 private candidates of whom 4 315 wrote two or more subjects and 3 908 obtained a Grade E or better in two or more subjects, which translated to a percentage pass rate of 90,57.

In November 2022, the total number of private candidates was 5 857 and from these 5 490 wrote two or more subjects, and 4 273 obtained a Grade E or better in two or more subjects, which translated to a percentage pass rate of 77, 83.

“The total number of female school candidates who sat for two or more subjects was 15 141 as compared to 15 503 who sat in November 2022. Of this number, 14 594 passed two or more subjects yielding a 96,38 percent pass rate while in November 2022, 14 193 passed two or more subjects yielding a 92,32 percent pass rate, translating to a percentage increase of 4,06,” he said.

“There were 14 603 male candidates of which 13 719 passed two or more subjects, which translates to 93,95 percent pass rate, an increase of 6,67 percentage points from the 87,28 percent for 2022.

“It could also be noted that female candidates performed marginally better than their male counterparts,” said Prof Mwenje.

He said there were 34 special needs candidates of whom 33 wrote two or more subjects with 29 obtaining Grade E or better for a percentage pass rate of 87,87.

The candidates were in four different categories namely; Enlarged Print, Braille, Hearing Impairment and Physical Impairment.

“At this juncture, it is imperative to remind all candidates, parents, and stakeholders that the Continuous Assessment Learning Activities (CALAs) are integral to the candidates’ learning and assessment.

“Candidates who do not submit their CALAs are considered to have not completed their assessment therefore they do not receive results,” said Prof Mwenje. “This policy position was communicated extensively from the onset by the parent Ministry and Zimsec.”