Thread by @Techzim

So the ZIMSEC 2020 Ordinary Level results are finally out, much to the excitement (or dismay) of many. But what are the result stats looking like? A Thread.
#zimsec

1/ It was obviously expected that there would be a shift in statistics between 2019 and 2020 results due to the disruptions that the pandemic caused, but just how much of a gap is there?

2/ A total of 264099 candidates sat for the November 2020 O Level exams as compared to the 296464 candidates who sat for the exams in 2019, a decrease of 32365 candidates (11% less than 2019).

3/ Last year, a total of 184249 candidates wrote 5 or more subjects and 45644 passed 5 or more subjects with a grade C or better giving an overall pass rate of 24.8%, compared to a 31.6% pass rate in 2019 out of 200062 candidates who wrote 5 or more subjects.

4/ In as much as there was a 6.8% drop in pass rate from 2019, it's important to note that in 2014 there was a 22.4% pass rate and in 2017 a 28.7% pass rate, putting the 2020 pass rate within this range. Given the struggles of 2020 for many students, it could have been worse.

5/ As far as candidate category performances go, the stats for those who wrote 5 or more subjects were as follows:

School candidates: 25.7% pass rate in 2020 as compared to 33.9% in 2019

Private candidates: 15.04% pass rate in 2020 as compared to 14.4% in 2019

6/ Female candidates: 23.7% pass rate in 2020 as compared to 34.3% in 2019

Male candidates: 26.5% pass rate in 2020 as compared to 33% in 2019

Special needs candidates: 21.5% pass rate in 2020 as compared to 29.8% in 2019