Apolytirio(n) , (also rendered as Apolyterio(n)) is the main school-leaving certificate for secondary education in Greece and Cyprus, obtained after successfully completing the third grade of Lyceum[1] In Greece, it is graded on a 20-point scale.
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Apolytirio, Απολυτήριο (dimotiki, 1976~present) - Apolytirion, Απολυτήριον (katharevousa, ~ 1976)
The system and examinations accepted for entrance into highest (Greek: ανὠτατη, 'anotati' ) and higher (Greek: ανώτερη, 'anoteri' ) education in Greece went through major changes since 1980.
The most common/known Lyceum is the General Lyceum (Greek: Γενικὀ Λύκειο, 'Geniko Lykeio' ).
In the first 2 grades, all students are taught the same subjects. In 3rd grade, students followed a core programme of general education and each 'Desmi' (Α, Β, Γ, and Δ) followed a specialized program (Greek: Δέσμη, Δέσμες / 'Desmi' (single), 'Desmes' (plural)).[2]
An Apolytirio of 'Geniko Lykeio' included the GPA (scale 1-20), student's conduct information and consisted of:
| General Education | Desmi |
|---|---|
| Religion | Modern Greek & Grammar |
| History | Mathematics (A) |
| Democratic Regime | Physics (A,B) |
| Philosophy | Chemistry (A,B) |
| English Language | Human Biology (B) |
| Gymnastics/Physical Education | Ancient Greek & Grammar (Γ) |
| Greek Modern Literature | History (Γ) |
| Latin (Γ) | |
| Sociology (Δ)/Political Economy (Δ) |
From 1984 until 1998 only the total score of the Panhellenic Examinations (Greek: Πανελλήνιες / Πανελλαδικές Εξετάσεις) was accepted for the highest/higher education, Universities and Polytechnics (Highest Education) or the Technological Educational Institutes ('T.E.I.') (Higher Education; by law in 2001 were renamed 'A.T.E.I.' where 'A' stands for Highest[3] (Greek: Ανώτατα, 'Anotata' ).
The total Score was calculated from the individual scores, with one of the subjects having a higher weight percentage. e.g. for A Desmi: Mathematics, B Desmi: Biology, etc.
The 4 'Desmes' (A,B,Γ and Δ) were [4] :
| Desmi | (Main) Subject 1 (higher % weight) | Subject 2 | Subject 3 | Subject 4 | Undergraduate Courses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A 'Desmi' | Mathematics | Essay | Physics | Chemistry | -> Polytechnics, Physico-Mathematical, Agricultural-Forest |
| B 'Desmi' | Biology | Essay | Physics | Chemistry | -> Medical, Dental, Pharmaceutical, Biological |
| Γ 'Desmi' | Ancient Greek | Essay | Latin | History | -> Theological, Philosophical, Law Sciences |
| Δ 'Desmi' | Mathematics | Essay | History | Civil Economy (/Sociology) | -> Political Sciences, Public Administration, Economics, Sociology |
Students had to preselect their choices in a numerical order of preference - using the bases of last year's Panhellenic Examinations' only as a guide - and submit them to their school on a given deadline, using a 4-pages machine-readable document (Greek: μηχανογραφικό δελτίο, 'mechanografiko deltio' ). The results of the National Examinations determined not only who will pass into highest/higher education but also next year's bases. The total individual score for every subject was 0-160[2] which was the sum of the 2 examiners' scores based on the scale 0-80 each. A remarking by a 3rd examiner would determine the final score if there was a large difference between the first two scores.
| Panhellenic National Examinations [4] | Coefficient | Score (scale) |
|---|---|---|
| Main Subject (higher % weight) | 1.15 | 0 - 160 |
| Other 3 Subjects | 0.95 | 0 - 160 |
Maximum total score = ((160 x 1.15)+ (160 x 0.95) + (160 x 0.95) + (160 x 0.95)) x 10 = 6400 units*
First, the scores for every student and later the bases for each course were published in every school across the country, directly from the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs. Bases were also being broadcasted on Greek TV during the day.
It was allowed to keep the individual subjects' scores (up to 3) and resit on exams to increase the total score, but only for 2 more examinations.[4]
There are three grades in Eniaio Lykeio and each grade is divided in classes. The 1st grade of Eniaio Lykeio operates as an orientation year with a general knowledge programme. The 2nd grade includes three directions: Theoretical,Science and Technology. In the 3rd grade we have again the directions but Technological direction operates in two courses: i) the Technology and Production course and ii) the Information Science and Services course. In Eniaio Lykeio, there is the Support Teaching Programme. This programme can be attended by those pupils who wish to do so, regardless of their performance. Attendance in Eniaio Lykeio is obligatory for those students who wish to continue their education in a Greek University.[5]
The access in 3rd degree Education (highest education) is permitted only with the system of 'Eniaio Lykeio'. Right of entrance have only the holders of Apolytirio.[6]
The written examinations in the subjects, either at school's level or national level, count equivalently towards the Apolytirio's GPA.[7] On the contrary, for entrance in highest education ONLY the subjects examined nationally in written form are being considered.[7] The Apolytirio is detached completely from highest education's entrance.[8]
| General Education (17 Hours) |
|---|
| Religious Education (1) |
| Ancient Greek Language and Literature(1) |
| English (2) |
| Physical Education* (1) |
| Modern Greek Language(2) |
| Modern Greek Literature (2) |
| History (2) |
| Mathematics and Statistics(2) |
| Physics (1) |
| Biology (1) |
| Sociology (2) |
Direction Subjects (11 Hours)
| Theoretical Direction | Science Direction | Technology Direction A. Technology and Production Course | Technology Direction B. Information Science and Service Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ancient Greek (5) | Mathematics (5) | Mathematics (5) | Mathematics (5) |
| History (2) | Physics (3) | Physics (3) | Physics (3) |
| Latin (2.5) | Chemistry (2) | Chemistry-Biochemistry (2) | Development of Applications in Computer Environment (2) |
| Greek Literature (2.5) | Biology (2) | Electric Technology (2) | Principles of Organisation, Business Administration and Services (2) |
| Elective Subjects (2 Hours) |
|---|
| 2nd Foreign Language |
| Principles of Economic Theory |
| Statistics |
| Logic: Theory and Practice |
| Computer Applications |
| History of Art |
| History of Science and Technology |
| Philosophy Issues |
| Modern Hellenic Literature |
Panhellenic National Level Examinations in 6-7 subjects of the General Lyceum (3rd grade).[9][10][11]
Besides the Lyceum Diploma ( 'Apolytirio' ) the achievement score on a certificate awarded ( 'Bebaiosi' ), takes into account final year school grade, (school level evaluation) and the grades on 6 subjects of the National Examinations. [12]
Direction: 4 subjects
General Education: 2 subjects (1: Modern Greek (compulsory) and 1: History/Mathematics and Statistics' elements/Biology/Physics)
Apolytirio may be accepted in UK & other universities.
Individuals holding this qualification can check the comparability of this award with UK NARIC - the National Agency, managed on behalf of the UK Government, provide the only official source of information on international qualifications to organizations recruiting from overseas and to individuals wishing to work or study in the UK [13] if they are going to study or work in the UK.
Although the total score from Panhellenic Examinations determined the entrance in higher/highest education in Greece, the GPA of the Apolytirio, is the entry qualification most often requested in order to be accepted in higher education abroad. The results of the Panhellenic Examinations are usually not requested or are referred by different names such as General Entrance Examinations.[14]