Zimsec releases statistics for November 2016 A Level exams, says girls passed more than boys

According to an analysis by Zimsec, female candidates scored a 91,6 percent pass rate while their male counterparts managed 86,4 percent. In 2015, girls were in the lead, scoring a 90,5 percent pass rate against the boys’ 85,4 percent. Zimsec board chairperson Professor Levi Nyagura said there were more male candidates than females in last year’s examinations.

Nyagura revealed that the number of female candidates who sat for November 2016 A-level examinations was 14 610 while 14 489 wrote two or more subjects and 13 266 passed with two or more subjects. The number of male candidates who sat for the same examinations was 18 790, which is 4 180 more than their female counterparts. A total of 18 650 male school candidates wrote two or more subjects and 16 117 passed with two or more subjects. Prof Nyagura said candidature had increased in 2016 compared to 2015.

According to statistics, 85,1 percent of female school candidates passed one subject, while their male counterparts managed 72,9 percent. On private candidates, females scored a 47,4 percent, while their male counterparts managed 53,2 percent. 73,3 percent of female school candidates passed two subjects, while males managed 66,7 percent. Female private candidates scored 27,1 percent, while male candidates managed 34,3 percent. On candidates who passed three subjects, female school candidates registered a 71,78 percent pass rate compared to their male counterparts who settled for 66,3 percent.