EPCON is Zimbabwe's national student technology skills championship. Every competitor certifies and builds a capstone. The strongest capstones in each track pitch live at the national finals on 3–4 December 2027 at St John’s College, Harare.

Yes. EPCON is certification-first: you must pass your official MOS exam by 17 September 2027 (retakes until 1 October) to compete.

No. Each student is allowed one MOS track only. Choose one of the six categories (Word, Excel or PowerPoint, in Microsoft 365 Apps or Office 2019) when you register.

All rankings come from your certification result and follow Certiport World Championship rules: the highest score ranks first, and on a tie the shorter exam time ranks higher. The top 10 in each province are published online, the provincial #1 wins a prize, and the national top 3 win prizes at the national ceremony.

The ten best certified graduates in each of the six MOS categories (Word, Excel and PowerPoint, in Microsoft 365 Apps and Office 2019) are invited to the world qualifiers at the national finals on 3–4 December 2027. The top-ranked certified graduate in each category, on certification results, earns a seat on Team Zimbabwe, subject to World Championship eligibility.

Every capstone is judged nationally online. The four strongest MOS capstones are shortlisted to pitch live at the national finals on 3–4 December 2027, and one Best Capstone winner is chosen. Your exam score plays no part in capstone judging.

The four MOS finalists go up for an online community vote on EPCON, EPCON SkillHack and EdgeCircle. One vote per track per verified account. The winner is revealed at the awards ceremony.

Yes, if you're financially disadvantaged or going through a rough patch. Register for this track, then apply for sponsorship from your EdgeCircle profile and describe your financial situation. Sponsoring institutions choose directly from the applicant pool and we don't influence their decisions, so sponsorship isn't guaranteed. We recommend paying the $45 installment deposit so you can start preparing early. If you're selected, we refund you.

Yes. School and club entries are invoiced, and schools and clubs entering 10 or more learners on one invoice pay US$90 per entry. When at least 5 learners from a school or club register and pay for a track, the teacher who coaches them gets a complimentary bundle for that track: LearnKey materials, a practice test, the certification exam and a retake. One bundle for every 5 paid learners, up to 3 per track per school, for registrations by 31 March 2027. Request a school invoice on WhatsApp and our team will set up your learners.

Yes, for one student entering different tracks: 10% off two tracks and 15% off three or more, when you pay for them in full together. Installments are paid per track and aren’t discounted. The group rate and the multi-track discount don’t combine; each learner gets whichever is better.

Rankings use your first attempt only, so prepare well before you sit. If you don’t pass, you can retake for US$25. You can retake any time before 1 October 2027, even before the 17 September exam deadline. Pass the retake and you are certified, so you can still build, submit your capstone and pitch if you are shortlisted. Registered students can pay for a retake online.

Yes. Many clubs make their capstone the club’s project for the year. Every team member registers and certifies in the track by 1 October 2027, when teams are locked, and teams follow the track’s format. A club can enter several teams in different tracks. Rankings stay individual, and the strongest club in the country wins Club of the Year at the national finals.

Teachers, club patrons, mentors and judges. Partner mentors and judges work with learners only through their school or club, with a teacher or patron present or copied in, and never ask learners for personal contact details. Learners keep ownership of their capstone work unless their school agrees otherwise. Parent or guardian details are required for entrants under 18. Learners under 18 should approach companies through their school or club, with a teacher or patron copied in.

Yes. Registered students can use an EPCON study lab for US$15 a month, whenever no classes are running. Use one of our computers, or bring your own laptop and use our internet. It’s there for students without internet at home or affected by power cuts. Book a slot on WhatsApp first and we’ll confirm your nearest lab: +263 781 004 006. Registered students can pay for lab access online.

At your school. Where a school has no computer lab, we are arranging Certiport Authorized Testing Centers (CATCs) nearby, and students not in school write at the nearest CATC. There are no provincial rounds and no travel.