The new system will include nationwide exams in three subjects per year, starting from the 10th grade (A’ Lyceum), as part of a broader effort to award a unified National High School Diploma (“Ethniko Apolytirio”).

Although the changes won’t take effect until 2029, public debate has already begun following Dasios’ presentation of the proposal at a recent Rectors’ Conference. His vision is to shift the focus from rote memorization—which is a frequent criticism of the current system—to rewarding genuine understanding. Another major benefit would be reducing student stress by distributing exams over three years.

Proposal Highlights

1. Gradual Exam Structure
   Students will sit for exams in 9 core subjects over the course of three years:
   • Modern Greek
   • Ancient Greek
   • Literature
   • History
   • Mathematics
   • Physics
   • Chemistry
   • Biology
   • Computer Science
   • In 10th grade (A’ Lyceum), students will choose 3 of these subjects for nationwide exams.
   • In 11th grade (B’ Lyceum), they will take exams in a different set of 3 subjects.
   • In 12th grade (C’ Lyceum), they will be tested in the remaining 3 subjects.
2. Grading System
   The exam scores from each year (denoted as a1, a2, a3 for 10th grade; b1, b2, b3 for 11th; and c1, c2, c3 for 12th) will be combined to form a weighted average score (“M”).
   • The final score for each subject will factor in both the nationwide exam score and the student’s school performance, as long as the difference between the two scores is less than or equal to 3 points (on a 0–20 scale).
   • If the difference is greater than 3 points, only the exam score will count.
   • Example: If a student scores 13 on the national exam and 15 at school, the final grade will be 14.
   • If the scores are 12 (exam) and 18 (school), the final grade will remain 12 due to the large discrepancy.
3. Final Admission Score
   • This cumulative grade (M) could account for 20% of the university admissions score.
   • The remaining 80% will come from national exams in four key subjects, as currently defined by the existing university entrance system.
   Students who opt not to take the yearly exams during high school will still be eligible to take the final four subject exams at the end of 12th grade. However, their school grades will then contribute only to the 20% portion of their overall score.

Who Is Giorgos Dasios?

Professor Giorgos Dasios has served as president of the NEO since 2014 and is one of Greece’s most respected mathematicians. He is an internationally acclaimed academic with collaborations in over 100 universities, including Cambridge. He’s a corresponding member of the Academy of Athens and has received numerous honors, including a Marie Curie Chair of Excellence in 2005 for his research in neuroimaging technologies.

Dasios has been involved with secondary education and examination systems since 1975, giving him nearly 50 years of experience in shaping national exams.

What Is the NEO (National Examinations Organization)?

The NEO is an independent administrative authority supervised by the Ministry of Education. It is Greece’s sole scientific body responsible for designing and overseeing university entrance exams, ensuring transparency and high standards.

Historical Context: How Often Has the Exam System Changed?

Since 1837, the university entrance system in Greece has undergone multiple changes:

• 1837–1923: Students enrolled in universities with only a high school diploma.
• 1923: Entrance exams were introduced due to increased demand, especially from Asia Minor refugees.
• 1964: The modern exam system began under the Ministry of Education.
• 1967–1979: Under the dictatorship, traditional exams were reinstated along with classical language instruction.
• Since then, the exam system has changed names and formats 11 times, always revolving around selected subjects.

The proposed reform aims to bring Greece in line with international standards by creating a more holistic and less stressful pathway to university, while preserving the integrity and transparency of nationwide exams. The multi-year exam structure would emphasize both consistent performance and in-depth learning across all subjects, not just the final four.