Grade seven pupils across Zimbabwe today begin their final examinations, officially opening the 2026 public examination season, with the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) saying it is fully prepared to administer the tests.
The Grade Seven examinations commence today, September 21, while Ordinary Level and Advanced Level examinations are scheduled to start on October 12.
Zimsec public relations manager Mrs Nicky Dhlamini said examination materials were already being distributed to cluster centres ahead of the start of the examinations.
“The season for final examinations is upon us, starting with the Grade Seven examinations on the 21st of September 2026 (today),” she said.
“Zimsec is fully prepared for the start of the examinations. Question papers and stationery are already being distributed to the cluster centres ready for collection by centres.”
Mrs Dhlamini said Zimsec had strengthened security measures in partnership with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, State security agencies and school heads to protect the integrity of the examination process.
“From printing to distribution and eventually the sitting of examinations, everything is closely monitored by security and loss-control teams,” she said.
She said technological improvements in the printing and packaging of examination materials had further strengthened security, with several features incorporated into question papers to enable Zimsec to identify the examination centre for which specific papers were intended.
Personalised answer sheets have also been introduced as part of measures to curb examination malpractice, including attempts to introduce external scripts into examination rooms.
According to Mrs Dhlamini, the security features will enable authorities to trace question papers to their centre of origin if they are accessed prematurely, allowing investigations to focus on suspected perpetrators while protecting innocent candidates.
A total of 800 003 candidates are expected to sit the 2026 public examinations.
The figure comprises 413 792 Grade Seven candidates, 345 368 O-Level candidates and 40 843 A-Level candidates.
The examinations will be conducted at 5 646 Grade Seven centres, 2 616 O-Level centres and 925 A-Level centres countrywide.
Mrs Dhlamini urged members of the public, candidates and schools to remain vigilant and report suspected examination malpractice or maladministration.
“As the people of the nation of Zimbabwe, it is in our best interest to maintain the integrity and credibility of the examinations,” she said.
“We urge you to report through our Axcentium tip-offs anonymous platform or to your nearest Zimsec office.”
Zimsec has urged all candidates to observe examination regulations and maintain discipline throughout the examination period.
