The tension surrounding high school seniors in Greece is so tangible these days you can cut it with a knife. Cafés are quieter, beaches less crowded, and the usual energy of teens seems suspended. It’s late May, which can mean only one thing: it’s Panhellenic Exams season. These national university entrance exams are a defining moment in the life of nearly every Greek student who aspires to go to a Greek public university, determining who gets a place in higher education, and where.
The Panhellenic Exams are nationwide standardized tests taken by students at the end of secondary school, usually around age 17 or 18. In 2025, the exams begin on May 30 for students in General High Schools (GEL) and May 31 for those in Vocational High Schools (EPAL). Over 68,000 candidates are expected to compete for places in Greece’s public universities, which are free of charge but highly competitive.
Students select an academic track—such as science, humanities, or economics—and are tested in core subjects aligned with that path. Some also sit special subject exams in areas like music, foreign languages, or design. The exams start most mornings at 8:30 a.m. and last between three to six hours depending on the subject. Final scores are converted into a base score, known as “μόρια,” and this number alone determines admission to university programs. There are no interviews, no personal statements, no consideration of extracurriculars or personality—just raw performance on Panhellenic Exams.
Compared to other systems, the Greek model stands out for its rigidity and unforgiving nature. In the UK, A-level results are considered alongside teacher predictions and personal statements. France uses the Baccalauréat, a combination of coursework and exams. In the US, universities assess a wide range of criteria, from GPA and standardized test scores (SATs) to recommendations and personal essays. Greece, by contrast, relies almost entirely on a single set of exams taken over a few intense days.
The Panhellenic Exams system has its strengths. It is considered to be generally more transparent and objective, offering a clear, merit-based path to university. Everyone takes the same exams, judged by the same criteria. Public universities are tuition-free, and the academic rigor—particularly in STEM subjects—is widely respected.
But the drawbacks are hard to ignore. The pressure is enormous. A single bad day can derail years of preparation. Also, students are forced to specialize too early, limiting exposure to other subjects and therefore negatively impacting students’ ability to think across subjects. And many families turn to private tutoring centers known as “frontistiria” in Greece, giving wealthier students an advantage in what is supposed to be a level playing field.
Critics say the system needs reform—to reduce stress, allow for broader evaluation, and better integrate vocational pathways. Supporters argue it remains one of the last bastions of true meritocracy in a country where fairness is not always guaranteed. Whatever one’s view, one thing is certain: as thousands of Greece’s teenagers file into exam centers across the country this week, they carry with them the hope of securing a university place—and the weight of knowing that years of effort come down to their performance on a single test.
The To Vima International Edition team wishes the best of luck to all of Greece’s high school seniors taking the 2025 Panhellenic Exams!
