adminThe development comes amid revelations that some of the June examinations scripts would be marked electronically.
Statistics from the examination body show that 285 000 candidates registered for November O-Level examinations compared to 254 000 candidates who registered for the same examinations last year.
The number of A-Level candidates registered for 2012 November examinations rose from 25 841 last year to 37 410 this year.
Zimsec information and public relations manager Mr Ezekiel Pasipamire told Chronicle in a telephone interview from Harare yesterday that preparations for the November examinations were at an advanced stage as the examination body had already sent timetables to all examination centres throughout the country.
“A total of 285 000 candidates registered for the 2012 Ordinary Level November examinations compared to 254 945 candidates in 2011. We also recorded an increase in A-Level as 37 410 candidates registered for Advanced Level in 2012 compared with 25 841 candidates in 2011. From the statistics, it shows that the candidature for both levels increased significantly from that of 2011.
“Preparations for the November examinations are going on smoothly and timetables for the examinations have already been sent to all examination centres throughout the country,” said Mr Pasipamire.
He also said the marking of June 2012 examinations started on Friday.
“The marking of the June 2012 examination scripts started on Friday and it will end on 20 July 2012 and Zimsec expects that all the invited examiners will turn up. We are also happy because for the first time, Zimsec is marking scripts electronically for Ordinary Level Mathematics Paper 1 and Integrated Science Paper 3 during the June marking session,” said Mr Pasipamire.
The 2011 national percentage pass rate for O-Level was 19,50 from 16,50 in 2010.
Grade Seven pupils’ performance improved by close to four percent from 25 percent 2010 to 28,9 percent last year.
In 2011, the pass rate for A-Level rose to 85,25 from 75, and 99 in 2010 and the examinations saw 241 512 candidates register.
Candidates who sat for A-Level dropped from 27 782 in 2010 to 25 136 in 2011.
A total of 288 365 candidates registered for Grade Seven examinations last year down from 303 978 in 2010.
Of late Zimsec has taken a pro-active approach to improve its image and ensure continued international acceptability of its examinations.
Online Reporter