PRESEC Legon wins record-extending ninth National Science and Maths Quiz title
PRESEC recovered from a slow start and seized control in the Problem of the Day, finishing seven points ahead of first-time finalist Accra Academy.
Presbyterian Boys’ Senior High School, Legon, has won the National Science and Maths Quiz for a record-extending ninth time after defeating Accra Academy and St Augustine’s College in the 2026 grand finale.
PRESEC finished Thursday night’s contest with 40 points, ahead of Accra Academy on 33 and St Augustine’s College on 27.
The victory strengthens the Legon-based school’s position as the most successful institution in the history of the competition, which began this year with 174 schools.
PRESEC entered the final under the campaign tagline “The Gr8t ADO9” a play on “Adonai”, the Hebrew word used to address God with reverence, and the school’s pursuit of a ninth championship.
But the eventual winners did not have the strongest start.
St Augustine’s College and Accra Academy shared the lead after the opening round with 11 points each, while PRESEC trailed narrowly on nine.
The competition remained tight in the second round, with PRESEC drawing level with St Augustine’s on 17 points. Accra Academy followed closely with 14.
The decisive moment came during Round Three, the Problem of the Day.
PRESEC earned four of the 10 available points, while Accra Academy and St Augustine’s failed to score. That performance pushed PRESEC into the lead for the first time.
The school maintained its advantage through the remaining rounds before sealing the title in Round Five, when the three finalists tackled a series of riddles in a final attempt to change the result.
PRESEC eventually opened a seven-point gap over Accra Academy, with St Augustine’s finishing a further six points behind.
Thursday’s contest was PRESEC’s 13th appearance in an NSMQ grand finale, another competition record.
The school’s previous title came in 2023, when it defeated Achimota School and Opoku Ware School to win an eighth championship. That victory also gave PRESEC a second successive title at the time.
The 2026 final represented a significant breakthrough for Accra Academy, which reached the championship contest for the first time. Although the school fell short of the trophy, its second-place finish marked its closest attempt at winning the competition.
St Augustine’s College entered the final seeking a third championship, having previously won the NSMQ in 2007 and 2019.
PRESEC’s latest victory confirms its continued dominance of Ghana’s flagship senior high school science and mathematics competition, with its nine titles setting the benchmark for other participating schools.