Story by Online Reporter
THE national Advanced Level pass rate rose to 95.75 percent in the November 2025 examinations, marking a marginal improvement from the previous year, as the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) officially released the results on Friday.
According to ZIMSEC, the pass rate increased by 1.17 percentage points from 94.58 percent recorded in November 2024, reflecting improved performance despite a higher number of candidates sitting for the examinations.
“In November 2025, 36 282 candidates wrote two or more subjects. Of these, 34 740 obtained Grade E or better in two or more subjects. This translates to a pass rate of 95.75%. In comparison, 33 246 candidates wrote two or more subjects in November 2024 and 31 443 obtained Grade E or better in two or more subjects translating to a pass rate of 94.58%. The national pass rate for 2025, therefore, increased marginally by 1.17%,” ZIMSEC said in a statement.
A total of 36 635 candidates registered for the November 2025 Advanced Level examinations, up from 33 585 in 2024, representing an increase of 3 050 candidates or 9.08 percent. Of these, 36 282 candidates wrote two or more subjects, with 34 740 attaining Grade E or better in at least two subjects.
ZIMSEC said the results would be available online from 4pm on Friday, January 9, 2026, through the ZIMSEC results portal. Candidates will be able to access their results for five days, after which they will be required to collect them from their respective examination centres. Heads of centres are expected to collect results from provincial offices of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education from Monday, January 12.
School candidates continued to record strong outcomes, with 31 451 pupils sitting for the examinations, compared to 29 041 in 2024. Of the 31 296 school candidates who wrote two or more subjects, 30 169 achieved Grade E or better, translating to a pass rate of 96.39 percent. This represents an increase of 1.21 percentage points from the 95.18 percent recorded the previous year.
“The total number of school candidates who sat for November 2025 was 31 451 while in 2024 the number was 29 041. 31 296 candidates wrote two or more subjects in November 2025. Of these, 30 169 obtained Grade E or better in two or more subjects achieving a percentage pass rate of 96.39. In comparison, 29 041 candidates wrote two or more subjects in November 2024 and, 27 509 obtained Grade E or better in two or more subjects, yielding a percentage pass rate of 95.18. The pass rate for the November 2025 school candidates increased by 1.21%.”
Private candidates also registered a slight improvement. A total of 5 234 private candidates sat for the examinations, up from 4 544 in 2024. Of the 5 036 who wrote two or more subjects, 4 571 passed, resulting in a pass rate of 90.77 percent, a rise of 0.25 percentage points from 2024.
Performance by gender showed female candidates continuing to outperform their male counterparts. A total of 19 086 female candidates sat for the examinations, with 18 321 passing two or more subjects, giving a pass rate of 96.83 percent. Male candidates recorded a pass rate of 94.19 percent, with 16 419 of the 17 599 who wrote two or more subjects attaining a Grade E or better. Female candidates outperformed males by 2.64 percentage points.
“The total number of female candidates who sat for the November 2025 Advanced level examination was 19 086 as compared to 17 306 who sat in November 2024. 18 321 female candidates passed two or more subjects in November 2025, yielding a pass rate of 96.83%. In comparison, 16 457 candidates passed two or more subjects in November 2024 yielding a percentage pass rate of 95.94. The 2025 pass rate for female candidates increased by 0.89 percentage points.
“The total number of male candidates who sat for two or more subjects was 17 599 of which 16 419 passed two or more subjects, translating to a percentage pass rate of 94.19. In comparison, 16 092 male candidates passed two or more subjects in November 2024, yielding a percentage pass rate of 93.13. The 2025 pass rate for male candidates increased by 1.06%. Female candidates performed better than male candidates by 2.64%,” ZIMSEC revealed.
All 45 special needs candidates who sat for the November 2025 Advanced Level examinations passed, achieving a 100 percent pass rate. This marked an improvement from 2024, when 38 of the 40 special needs candidates passed. The candidates included those with low vision requiring enlarged print, as well as those with physical and hearing impairments who were provided with administrative accommodation.
ZIMSEC said the overall performance reflects steady progress across different candidate categories, as the examinations body continues to administer national assessments under strengthened systems and procedures
