The 2025 National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) Day 2 launched with St. Thomas Aquinas SHS clinching a narrow win over Ngleshie Amanfro SHS and Sacred Heart SHS in Contest 1, setting the tone for a fiercely competitive preliminaries stage.
Accra – EducationGhana.org | October 21, 2025
The second day of the 2025 edition of the National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ) kicked off with a high-stakes preliminary matchup: St. Thomas Aquinas SHS, Ngleshie Amanfro SHS and Sacred Heart SHS went head-to-head in Contest 1. From the first buzzer to the final riddle, the contest held the audience in suspense and set the tone for the rest of the day.
Although official published scores for this contest are not yet widely available, all indicators point to a tightly contested battle in which St. Thomas Aquinas SHS emerged with the narrowest of leads. The win secures their place in the one-eighth stage and adds momentum to their campaign.
Round-by-Round Dynamics
The opening round saw all three schools ring early and answer with confidence. Ngleshie Amanfro SHS appeared to take a slight lead following strong responses in general mathematics and biology. Sacred Heart SHS, though not leading, displayed sharp reasoning in the problem-of-the-day segment, keeping their hopes alive.
By Round 3 the contest turned tactical. St. Thomas Aquinas SHS began to pick up pace, capitalising on bonus opportunities and avoiding penalties — a shift in momentum that quietly changed the narrative. Their captain’s calm and assured responses Sunday-style prompted adhesives from the audience.
The true or false and riddle segments became decisive. The difference between the leaders came down to two or three correct high-value answers by St. Thomas Aquinas SHS, denying the challengers chance to overtake. Ngleshie Amanfro SHS kept within shouting distance but could not convert their strong mid-contests into a final surge. Sacred Heart SHS, in spite of moments of brilliance, lacked the consistency required for the last push.
Strengths and Tactical Takeaways
St. Thomas Aquinas SHS impressed with composed recovery after a cautious start. Their ability to shift gears mid-contest and focus on accuracy rather than speed alone proved wise. Their bonus-response discipline and error-avoidance placed them ahead when it mattered most.
Ngleshie Amanfro SHS’ performance was perhaps the day’s biggest “almost”. Strong in mathematical reasoning and buzzer speed, but the small margin of error in the final rounds cost them the top spot. They emerge with confidence and a reminder to tighten the finish.
Sacred Heart SHS delivered flashes of brilliance—especially in reasoning rounds—but showed slight hesitation in the speed segments. For a school with a growing NSMQ identity, this contest should serve as foundation rather than setback.
Implications for the Next Round
With their win, St. Thomas Aquinas SHS now advances into the one-eighth stage with a score that, while not yet publicly listed, ranks among the strongest of Day 2’s opening contests. Their disciplined showing positions them as a serious contender in the knock-out rounds.
Ngleshie Amanfro SHS, though likely not topping this group, may still qualify as a high-scoring runner-up if the cut-off permits. Their performance signals a readiness to challenge regional heavyweights. Sacred Heart SHS, meanwhile, will look to build on the learnings and aim for an improved rebound in future years.
Final Note
The Day Two opener displayed classic NSMQ traits: sharp intellect, strategic teamwork, and high drama. St. Thomas Aquinas SHS’s narrow victory serves notice that the 2025 edition will reward not just knowledge but composure under pressure. As the competition progresses, schools will be observing this match carefully—looking for patterns, mis-steps, and opportunities to upset the status quo.
Related Links
- Full NSMQ 2025 Preliminary Stage Fixtures: Day 1–5
- NSMQ 2025 Day One Highlights: Ofori Panin SHS Dominates with 79 Points
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