The 2026 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) has officially entered its preliminary stage, with schools across Ghana beginning their quest for a place in the later rounds of the prestigious academic competition.

The preliminary contests commenced on Thursday, August 20, 2026, bringing together some of the country's strongest academic institutions alongside schools making their first appearance at the national level.

174 schools in contention

A total of 174 schools form this year's National Championship field. The participants include seeded schools, regional qualifiers, additional private schools and top-performing runners-up from the regional competitions.

Among the notable features of this year's competition is the presence of 10 schools making their National Championship debut. Their participation adds a fresh dimension to the competition as they attempt to challenge more established NSMQ contenders.

Preliminary contests

The preliminary stage features 49 contests, with three schools competing in each contest. Schools will battle through the preliminary round for the opportunity to advance to the one-eighth stage and continue their pursuit of the coveted NSMQ trophy.

Some of the schools scheduled to compete include Accra Girls' SHS, Kumasi High School, St. Louis SHS, Sacred Heart SHS, Techiman SHS, Sekondi College and T.I. AMASS, Salaga, among many others.

Road to the grand finale

Following the preliminary stage, the competition will progress through the one-eighth stage, quarter-finals and semi-finals, before the eventual finalists meet in the Grand Finale.

The Grand Finale is scheduled for September 10, 2026, in Accra, where the final three schools will battle for national honours.

A new opportunity for emerging schools

Beyond the traditional powerhouses of the NSMQ, this year's competition provides an important platform for emerging schools to demonstrate their academic strength on the national stage.

With science, mathematics, speed and teamwork all playing crucial roles, the 2026 edition is expected to produce intense contests and potentially new contenders for the national title.

As the preliminary stage gets underway, attention now turns to the participating schools and their performances as they begin the journey toward becoming NSMQ 2026 champions.