Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata Zimpapers Correspondent
THE Ordinary Level pass rate for candidates who sat for five or more subjects fell from 5,87 percent last year to 3 percent in the June 2026 examinations, while the Advanced Level pass rate rose by 11,88 percentage points, the
Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) has said.
The results were released yesterday, with candidates already able to access them through the Zimsec results portal.
Addressing journalists in Harare yesterday, Zimsec Board chairperson Professor Paul Mapfumo said 37 065 candidates registered for the June 2026 Ordinary Level examinations, down from 40 465 in the corresponding session last year.
Of the 2026 candidates, 802 were school candidates while 36 263 were private candidates.
“There was a decrease of 3 400 registered candidates in the June 2026 examination session, translating to a percentage decrease of 20,23,” said Prof Mapfumo.
The June examination session is mainly used by candidates seeking to improve grades in individual subjects rather than pursuing full certification.
Of the 37 065 registered candidates, 22 244 sat for one subject while 10 347 sat for two subjects, representing 60 percent and 27 percent of the candidature respectively.
Only 291 candidates, representing 0,78 percent of the total candidature, sat for five or more subjects.
Of these, nine passed with Grade C or better, resulting in a pass rate of 3 percent.
This was a decline from June last year, when 511 candidates sat for five or more subjects and 30 passed with Grade C or better, resulting in a 5,87 percent pass rate.
“This shows a percentage decrease in the pass rate of 2,87 percent,” said Prof Mapfumo.
The number of candidates with special needs remained at 41, comprising 21 candidates who used Braille, seven who were physically impaired, nine who were hard of hearing and four who required enlarged print.
At Advanced Level, 91 candidates sat for the June 2026 examinations, compared to 110 candidates in the same session last year.
Of the 91 candidates, 54 sat for two or more subjects, with 43 obtaining Grade E or better in two or more subjects, resulting in a pass rate of 79,62 percent.
The figure was an increase from the 67,74 percent recorded in June last year.
“Of the 110 candidates of 2025, 62 candidates wrote two or more subjects and 42 obtained Grade E or better in two or more subjects,” Prof Mapfumo said.
“This translated to an overall pass rate of 67,74 percent. The statistics show that there is an 11,88 percent increase in the overall pass rate.”
However, the pass rate among candidates who sat for one subject declined to 72,97 percent from 81,25 percent recorded in June 2025.
The June 2026 examinations also marked the final session conducted under the Competency-Based Curriculum before the transition to the Heritage-Based Curriculum.
Prof Mapfumo said candidates sitting for the June examinations were required to have satisfied their Continuous Assessment Learning Activities (CALA) requirements in previous sittings, with the marks carried forward to the next eligible session.
“The June examination is a session meant for candidates who will be repeating their examinations. The candidates must have satisfied their Continuous Assessment Learning Area (CALA) requirements in the previous sittings as these marks are carried to the next eligible session,” Prof Mapfumo said.
The results became available online from 6 PM yesterday through the Zimsec portal, with candidates required to use details contained on their Statements of Entry.
Prof Mapfumo said the portal will remain open for five days, after which candidates will have to access their results from their respective examination centres.
Heads of examination centres have been directed to collect physical copies of the results from their respective
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education provincial chief directors from today.
Prof Mapfumo thanked all stakeholders involved in the June 2026 examinations and wished candidates well in their future studies and endeavours.
