The 2026 General Certificate of Education GCE examination results have been released, with 85.63 percent of candidates passing at least one subject. Acting Minister of Education Honourable Dr Gilbert Siame, M.P., announced the results on 17 September 2026, noting that the overall performance was broadly similar to that recorded in 2025. A total of 140,938 candidates entered the 2026 GCE examinations, including 43,488 males and 97,450 females. Of those who registered for the examinations, 130,866 candidates eventually sat for at least one examination, representing 92.85 percent of all candidates who entered. The release provides an overview of learner performance across subjects while also highlighting areas that require continued attention within Zambia’s education sector.
According to the results, 112,640 candidates passed at least one subject, representing a pass rate of 85.63 percent. This compares with a pass rate of 85.70 percent recorded in 2025, showing only a small change in overall performance between the two examination years. A total of 18,226 candidates did not pass any of the subjects they sat for, representing 13.93 percent of candidates who took the examinations. This figure was slightly lower than the 14.04 percent recorded in 2025. The results therefore show that overall performance remained relatively stable, while the proportion of candidates who did not pass any subject declined slightly compared with the previous year.
The number of candidates who actually sat for the examinations also improved compared with 2025. In 2026, 130,866 candidates sat for the examinations, representing 92.85 percent of those who entered, compared with 91.43 percent in 2025. Absenteeism also declined from 8.57 percent in 2025 to 7.15 percent in 2026. A total of 10,072 candidates were recorded as absent during the 2026 examinations. The improved attendance rate means that a larger proportion of registered candidates participated in the examination process, providing more learners with an opportunity to have their academic performance assessed.
Female candidates made up the majority of learners who sat for the 2026 GCE examinations. They accounted for 70.16 percent of candidates who sat for the examinations, while males represented 29.84 percent. The Ministry of Education has called for increased participation among males in the GCE examinations so that more boys can improve their grades and access opportunities for further education and employment. Greater participation would give more male learners the opportunity to obtain qualifications that can support their future academic and career pathways. The gender distribution in the 2026 examination participation therefore remains an important area for attention as the education sector works to ensure that learners have opportunities to complete their secondary education and improve their qualifications.
Subject performance showed significant differences across the various areas examined. French recorded the highest subject mean score at 87.61 percent, indicating strong performance among candidates who sat for the subject. Mathematics recorded the lowest subject mean score at 21.19 percent, highlighting an area that continues to require focused attention from learners, teachers and education authorities. The difference between the highest and lowest mean scores demonstrates the varying levels of performance across individual subjects. These results can provide schools and education stakeholders with useful information when identifying areas where additional teaching support, learner preparation and academic interventions may be required.
The performance of different subject groups also showed varying outcomes in the 2026 GCE examinations. Practical subjects recorded the highest mean score among subject groups at 63.54 percent, followed by Literature and Languages at 51.94 percent. Natural Sciences recorded a mean score of 38.74 percent, while Social Sciences recorded 32.98 percent. Business Subjects had a mean score of 32.50 percent. The differences between these subject groups provide an indication of the areas where learners performed relatively strongly and those where further academic support may be needed.
The 2026 GCE examinations were also conducted without any reported examination question paper leakage. However, examination authorities recorded 389 individual cases and 15 whole-centre cases of suspected examination malpractice. The suspected cases included copying, collusion and the provision of assistance during examinations. Results for candidates involved in suspected examination malpractice have been withheld while the appropriate Examinations Council of Zambia committee considers the cases. The withholding of results allows the relevant examination authorities to complete the required processes before determining the outcome of the cases.
The Ministry has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening examination security and systems to prevent malpractice and protect the credibility of Zambia’s national examinations. Maintaining examination integrity remains important because examination results can influence access to further education, training and employment opportunities. Schools, learners and examination officials all have a role to play in ensuring that examination rules are followed throughout the examination process. Addressing malpractice cases also helps examination authorities maintain confidence in the results issued to candidates. The continued focus on examination security is therefore expected to remain an important part of the administration of national examinations.
Candidates can access the 2026 GCE examination results through the SMS result notification system following the official release. Statements of results will also be available online through the Examinations Council of Zambia ECZ portal at no charge one week after the release. Candidates will be able to use their examination numbers to access their statements of results through the online system. The availability of both SMS and online channels gives candidates different ways to obtain their results. Candidates are encouraged to check their results through the official systems and keep their examination details available when accessing their statements.
Dr Siame congratulated candidates who successfully passed their examinations and encouraged those who did not achieve their desired grades to prepare early for their next opportunity. The release of the 2026 GCE results also provides schools and education authorities with information that can be used to identify areas requiring additional academic support. Teachers, schools, districts and provinces have been urged to adequately prepare Grade 7 and Grade 12 learners for the forthcoming end-of-year examinations. Early preparation can give learners more time to strengthen areas where they experience difficulties and improve their readiness for examinations. The 2026 GCE results therefore mark not only the completion of another examination cycle but also an opportunity for learners and educators to use the performance data to prepare for the next stage of Zambia’s education programme.