Zimbabwe’s Ordinary Level pass rate fell sharply in the June 2026 examinations, according to ZIMSEC. The rate dropped from 5.87 percent in 2025 to just 3 percent this year.
Meanwhile, Advanced Level candidates recorded a significant improvement in their overall pass rate. That figure rose by 11.88 percentage points compared with the June 2025 examinations.
Ordinary Level results decline
ZIMSEC board chairperson Professor Paul Mapfumo announced the results on Monday afternoon. Candidates can access their results through the ZIMSEC results portal for five days.
A total of 37,065 candidates registered for the June 2026 Ordinary Level examinations. That figure represents a decline from the 40,465 candidates registered last year.
The latest cohort included 802 school candidates and 36,263 private candidates. Mapfumo said registrations fell by 3,400 candidates during the latest examination session.
Among those registered, 22,244 candidates wrote one subject. Another 10,347 candidates sat for two subjects.
Together, those groups accounted for 60 percent and 27 percent of candidates respectively. Only 291 candidates wrote at least five subjects during the examination.
That represented just 0.78 percent of the total candidature. However, only nine candidates achieved Grade C or better across five subjects.
Consequently, the pass rate stood at 3 percent. Last year, 511 candidates wrote five or more subjects. Of those candidates, 30 achieved Grade C or better. That produced a 5.87 percent pass rate in June 2025.
Therefore, the latest results represent a 2.87 percentage-point decline. Meanwhile, 41 candidates with special needs took part in the examinations.
The group included 21 candidates using Braille and seven physically impaired candidates. Four candidates were hard of hearing, while another four required enlarged print.
Advanced Level performance improves
The Advanced Level results delivered a stronger performance despite fewer candidates sitting the examinations. This year, 91 candidates registered for the examinations. That figure compared with 110 candidates during the same session last year. Of the latest candidates, 54 wrote two or more subjects.
Meanwhile, 43 candidates achieved Grade E or better in at least two subjects. As a result, the overall pass rate reached 79.62 percent. That performance improved significantly from the 67.74 percent recorded in June 2025. Last year, 62 candidates wrote two or more subjects.
Of those candidates, 42 secured Grade E or better in at least two subjects. The latest figures therefore represent an 11.88 percentage-point improvement.
However, candidates who wrote one subject experienced a decline. Their pass rate fell to 72.97 percent from 81.25 percent in June 2025.
The June 2026 examinations also marked the end of the Competency-Based Curriculum. Zimbabwe will now transition towards the Heritage-Based Curriculum.
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