adminThandeka Moyo Chronicle Correspondent
THE Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (Zimsec) has recorded a significant increase in the number of candidates who registered for November Ordinary and Advanced Level examinations amid reports that the marking of the June scripts has been completed. Statistics from the examination body show that 309 000 candidates registered for the November O-Level examinations compared to 286 343 candidates last year.
The number of A-Level candidates registered for the 2013 November examinations rose from 37 531 in 2012 to 40 474.
In a statement yesterday, Zimsec director Mr Esau Nhandara said the examinations body was ready for the November examinations.
“We registered 309 000 candidates for the November O-level examinations. The number shot up from 286 343 in 2012.
“We also had an increase in the A-Level candidates whose number rose from 37 531 to 40 474,” said Mr Nhandara.
He said the examination body was happy as the number of people sitting for the examinations has been increasing over the years.
“Preparations for the November 2013 examinations are well on course and we are hopeful that everything will go as per our plan,” said Mr Nhandara.
“As for the June 2013 examinations scripts the marking started on 6 July and ended on Wednesday.”
In 2012 the pass rate at O-Level dropped from 19, 5 percent to 18, 4.
The 2011 national percentage pass rate for O and A-level was 19, 5 up from 16, 5 in 2010.
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.
Zimsec has remained among the top examination boards on the continent and the world despite accusations of maladministration and a coterie of other challenges it is facing.
Of late, Zimsec has taken a pro-active approach to improve its image and ensure continued international acceptability of its examinations.
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