Roughly 105,000 final-year secondary school students from around the country are sitting for their nationwide (Panhellenic) exams on Monday. Most of them are vying for one of the 68,345 spots in tertiary education system (44,200 at universities and 24,145 at technical institutions).

The exams kick off with modern Greek language and an essay question on cultural heritage, and will be completed by June 2 when pupils’ ordeal will end with one of the electives from economic theory. Each exam is of three-hour duration with pupils not allowed to bring books, notes, liquid paper, cell phones or calculators and other devices with them.

The health and practical tests for students vying for entrance into the Athens physical education school (TEFAA) will take place from June 15 through to June 26, whereas the repeat exams for senior high school students of day and night vocational schools (EPAL) are to begin on June 9.

The exams on special subjects are to begin on June 17, whereas the actual results on exams are to be announced in the middle of July.

The ministry of education released a statement wishing candidates “good luck in achieving their goals.” In line with the ministry’ leadership’s more … class-oriented outlook, students were reminded that exams are “a peaceful struggle and not a battle” that offer “candidates the chance to consolidate the results of long-term and painful efforts.”