The 2025 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) is set to intensify significantly as the one-eighth stage officially commences, following a comprehensive draw that paired 54 qualifying schools with the 27 esteemed seeded giants of the competition. From Sunday, October 26, 2025, and continuing until October 28, 2025, a total of 27 exhilarating contests will unfold across the nation, with schools fiercely battling for a coveted spot in the quarter-finals. This critical phase of the NSMQ promises high stakes and unforgettable quiz-room drama, where reputations will be tested, new stars will emerge, and even established favorites could face unexpected challenges. The journey to national glory deepens, and every correct answer will become a defining moment for the competing institutions.

This year's one-eighth stage draw has set the stage for several unmissable showdowns. Defending eight-time champions PRESEC-Legon face a formidable challenge in their title defense, drawn against T.I. AMASS, Kumasi, known for their problem-solving prowess, and Oti Boateng SHS, which displayed impressive recent momentum by scoring 50 points as a top runner-up in the preliminary stage. This contest is anticipated to be a high-scoring thriller. Traditional rivals St. Augustine’s College have also drawn a formidable pairing, set to clash with Kumasi Academy and St. John’s Grammar School. In a seemingly more balanced contest, Prempeh College will go head-to-head with Suhum SHTS and Benkum SHS.

Northern Zonal Champions Tamale SHS enter the one-eighth stage as one of the most in-form teams, fresh off a commanding run in the zonals. They are poised for a tough encounter against St. Thomas Aquinas SHS and O’Reilly SHS. Among the seeded girls’ schools, Wesley Girls’ High School will test their mettle against high-flying Abetifi Presby SHS and Kumasi Secondary Technical School. Abetifi Presby SHS notably delivered a remarkable 8/10 on the “Problem of the Day” during their preliminary contest.

Several schools have made their way to this stage after demonstrating exceptional resilience and skill in the preliminary rounds. Archbishop Porter Girls’ Senior High School secured their spot after a nail-biting contest that went down to the very last question, coming from behind to beat Bueman SHS (45 points) and Oyoko Methodist SHS (39 points) by a single point, finishing with 46 points. Their tactical discipline will be crucial as they face St. John’s School and St. Mary’s SHS in Contest 17. Konongo-Odumase Senior High School (KOSS) powered into the one-eighth stage by dominating Accra’s Labone SHS and St. John’s Grammar School in their preliminary battle, finishing with a commanding 53 points. They will now meet Apam SHS, who also had a strong prelim showing, and Aburi Girls’ SHS in Contest 22, promising a three-way faceoff rich in regional pride and determination. Serwaa Nyarko Girls’ Senior High School emerged as the sole girls' school from the Ashanti Region to qualify from the preliminaries, triumphing in a tiebreaker after Attafuah Senior High Technical School's disqualification. They will carry the flag for Ashanti's female schools in Contest 7 against St. Hubert Seminary SHS and Adisadel College. Achimota School has been drawn against Krobo Girls’ Presby SHS and Simms SHS.

The full list of the one-eighth contests is as follows:

Contest 1: Ghana National College, Tema Secondary School, Effiduase SHS

Contest 2: Adonteng SHS, St. Paul’s SHS, Denu, Mankranso SHS

Contest 3: Tamale SHS, St. Thomas Aquinas SHS, O’Reilly SHS

Contest 4: Ghana Secondary Technical School (GSTS), Nkwatia Presby SHS, Ashaiman SHS

Contest 5: Bishop Herman College, Our Lady of Grace SHS, Ejisuman SHS

Contest 6: PRESEC, Legon, Oti Boateng SHS, T.I. AMASS, Kumasi

Contest 7: St. Hubert Seminary SHS, Adisadel College, Serwaa Nyarko Girls’ SHS

Contest 8: Prempeh College, Suhum SHTS, Benkum SHS

Contest 9: Mfantsipim School, Sogakope SHS, Anglican SHS, Kumasi

Contest 10: Aburi Presby SHTS, Amaniampong SHS, Adiembra SHS

Contest 11: Osei Tutu SHS, West Africa SHS, Hohoe E.P. SHS

Contest 12: St. James Seminary SHS, Mankessim SHTS, Presby SHS, Suhum

Contest 13: Swedru SHS, Kumasi High School, Anlo SHS

Contest 14: Pope John SHS & Minor Seminary, Ghana SHS, Tamale, Awudome SHS

Contest 15: Mpraeso SHS, Sunyani SHS, KNUST SHS

Contest 16: Wesley Girls’ High School, Abetifi Presby SHS, Kumasi Secondary Technical School

Contest 17: St. John’s School, St. Mary’s SHS, Archbishop Porter Girls’ SHS

Contest 18: St. Augustine’s College, Kumasi Academy, St. John’s Grammar School

Contest 19: St. Peter’s SHS, Okuapemman School, Osei Kyeretwie SHS

Contest 20: Ghana SHS, Koforidua, University Practice SHS, Winneba Secondary School

Contest 21: Mawuli School, Berekum Presby SHS, Armed Forces SHTS

Contest 22: Apam SHS, Konongo-Odumase SHS, Aburi Girls’ SHS

Contest 23: Accra Academy, Aggrey Memorial Zion SHS, Kwahu Tafo SHS

Contest 24: Opoku Ware School, Amenfiman SHS, Fijai SHS

Contest 25: Achimota School, Krobo Girls’ SHS, Simms SHS

Contest 26: Koforidua Secondary Technical School, Ofori Panin SHS, Frafraha Community SHS

Contest 27: Keta SHTS, Chemu SHS, Accra High School