Staff Reporter
The Government has announced the 2025 Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) examination fees for both Ordinary Level (O-Level) and Advanced Level (A-Level) candidates, revealing significant subsidies for students in public schools.

Candidates in public, local authority and mission schools will benefit from a 55% subsidy on their examination fees. This means that public school students will only pay USD 11 per O-Level subject and USD 22 per A-Level subject. In contrast, candidates from private schools, private colleges, and those sitting as private candidates in public schools will be required to pay the full examination fees.
"Following the approval of the 2025 Ordinary and Advanced Level examination fees, please be advised that the Government will be subsidizing the 2025 Ordinary and Advanced Level examination fees for candidates in public schools, Local Authority Schools, and Mission Schools. All candidates in private schools and colleges, including private candidates in public schools, will pay the full cost of the examination fees," the notice stated.
The Government’s subsidy will apply to up to seven O-Level subjects and four A-Level subjects, including Communication Skills. However, candidates registering for additional subjects beyond these limits will bear the full cost for the extra subjects.
"Government will cover seven subjects at Ordinary Level and four subjects at Advanced Level, including Communication Skills. Candidates who want to sit for examinations in more subjects at each level will meet the full examination cost for those subjects themselves," said the statement.
The fees for practical subjects have also been outlined, with additional costs for both O-Level and A-Level candidates. Public school candidates will pay USD 11 for O-Level practical subjects, while private school candidates will pay USD 24. For A-Level practical subjects, public school candidates will pay USD 22, and private school candidates will pay USD 48.
ZIMSEC has also highlighted penalties for late registration, with fines of USD 100 for O-Level centers and USD 150 for A-Level centers that submit entries after the deadline. Candidates changing subjects will be charged USD 1 per O-Level subject and USD 22 per A-Level subject.
All payments must be made through designated bank accounts, with schools and examination centers responsible for collecting and depositing the fees. Individual candidates will not be allowed to make direct deposits. Additionally, for those paying in local currency, the exchange rate will be determined on specific dates before payments are due.
The payment deadlines for the 2025 exams are set for March 10-14 for June exams and March 24-28 for November exams.
The Government's decision to continue subsidizing examination fees aligns with its ongoing efforts to improve access to education and reduce the financial burden on students in public schools. The move is a step toward enhancing the affordability of education for students in the country.