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Ellinomatheia Exams: A Complete Guide

If you’re learning Greek and considering an official certification, you’ve probably come across the Ellinomatheia exams. But what exactly are they, why are they important, and how can you prepare successfully? Whether you are a beginner or more advanced, learning Greek online can help you achieve your goals efficiently.

What are Ellinomatheia Exams?

The Ellinomatheia exams are the official Greek language certification tests, recognized internationally. They are organized every May worldwide by the Centre for the Greek Language, under the supervision of the Greek Ministry of Education.

These exams assess your Greek in reading, listening, speaking, and writing, ensuring your skills match the requirements of your chosen CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) level. Preparing with structured Greek lessons online can significantly improve your performance.

Are there other recognized Greek Certificates in Greece and Cyprus?

In addition to Ellinomatheia, there are locally recognized certificates:

These follow the CEFR framework and are accepted locally for academic, professional, or administrative purposes.

Why Take the Ellinomatheia Exams?

There are several reasons to pursue certification:

  • Greek and Cyprus Citizenship: Greece requires B1, Cyprus A2 or B1 depending on years of residence.
  • Academic Studies: Many universities in Greece and Cyprus require certification for Greek-taught programs.
  • Employment: Employers value certification as proof of language skills.
  • Personal Achievement: Confirms progress and provides an internationally recognized milestone.

Exam Levels

The Ellinomatheia exams follow CEFR levels: 

A1 (Beginner): Basic communication (Greek for beginners)

  • A1 for children (8–12 years)
  • A1 for teens and adults

A2 (Elementary): Everyday survival Greek

B1 (Intermediate): Independent communication

B2 (Upper-Intermediate): Strong command of Greek for work and study

C1 (Advanced): High-level accuracy and fluency

C2 (Proficiency): Near-native level

Additionally, the Centre for the Greek Language organizes special exams in October 2025, only at exam centers in Greece, for A2 (for professional purposes) and B1.

What is the examination Structure?

Click each level to see details:

Level A1 for children and adults

Skill Points Task Type Exam Duration
Reading 25
  1. True/False: 7 statements + 1 example (7 points)
    Text: 120 words
  2. Sentence matching: 6 correct + 1 example + 2 distractors (6 points)
    Text: 90 words
  3. Multiple choice (3 options): 4 correct + 1 example (6 points)
    Text: 90 words
  4. Fill-in-the-blanks: 4 correct + 1 example + 2 distractors (6 points)
    Text: 90 words
 30 minutes
Listening 25
  1. True (image selection): 7 correct + 1 example + 2 distractors (7 points)
    Text: 120 words
  2. Comparison (fill-in table): 6 correct + 1 example (6 points)
    Text: 90 words
  3. Multiple choice (3 options): 4 correct statements or images + 1 example (6 points)
    Text: 90 words
  4. Notes: 6 blanks + 1 example (6 points)
    Text: 90 words
 25 minutes
Writing 25
  1. Part A: Short notes or image description (approx. 50 words) (12 points)
  2. Part B: Short message, letter, card, or continuous text (approx. 60 words) (13 points)
 40 minutes
Speaking 25
  1. Part A: Simple questions (name, residence, school/work, family, etc.)
  2. Part B: Short monologue in continuous speech
  3. Part C: Role-play between two candidates

No preparation time; in Part C candidates have ~2 minutes to read their role.

 10–12 minutes per pair

Total written exam duration: 1 hour & 35 minutes

Level A2

Skill Points Task Type Total Words & Exam Duration
Reading Comprehension 25
  1. True/False: 7 statements + 1 example (7 points)
  2. Sentence matching: 6 correct answers + 1 example + 2 distractors (6 points)
  3. Multiple choice (4 options): 6 correct answers + 1 example (6 points)
  4. Fill-in-the-blanks: 6 correct words/phrases + 1 example + 3 distractors (6 points)
 500 words, 30 minutes
Listening Comprehension 25
  1. Match descriptions to pictures: 6 correct + 1 example + 2 distractors (6 points)
  2. Multiple choice (3 options): 6 correct + 1 example (6 points)
  3. True/False: 6 correct + 1 example (6 points)
  4. Notes: 7 notes + 1 example (7 points)
 500 words, 25 minutes
Written Production 25
  1. Part A: A friendly text or description (approx. 80–100 words) (12 points)
  2. Part B: A less friendly, more formal text (approx. 80–100 words) (13 points)
 180–200 words, 45 minutes
Oral Production 25
  1. Part A: Simple questions (name, residence, school, family, etc.)
  2. Part B: Short monologue in continuous speech
  3. Part C: Role-play between two candidates

No preparation time is given; in Part C, candidates have ~2 minutes to read their role.

 Approx. 12 minutes per pair

Level B1

Skill Points Task Type Exam Duration
Reading 25
  1. Sentence/unit matching: 6 correct + 1 example + 3 distractors (6 points)
    Authentic text, relatively formal: informative, factual (150–180 words)
  2. Comparison (fill-in table): 12 correct (0.5 pts each) + 1 example (6 points)
    Authentic text, formal: descriptive, advertisement, research results, simple historical excerpt, short biographies (150–180 words)
  3. True/False: 6 correct + 1 example (6 points)
    Text with lower formality: narrative or literary excerpt (180–200 words)
  4. Fill-in-the-blanks: 7 correct words/phrases + 1 example + 6 distractors (7 points)
    Friendly, simple article from newspaper/magazine giving information on a topic (180–200 words)
 40 minutes
Listening 25
  1. Notes: 12 correct + 1 example (12 points)
    Friendly, informative monologue, storytelling, interview excerpt, literary excerpt (300 words)
  2. Comparison (fill-in table): 13 correct + 1 example (13 points)
    Relatively formal, dialogue/discussion between 2–3 people (350–400 words)
 25 minutes
Writing 25
  1. Part A: Friendly letter, extended announcement, extended advertisement, etc. (150 words) (12 points)
  2. Part B: Formal text giving personal or other information, requesting justified permission, expressing justified complaints, etc. (150 words) (13 points)
 55 minutes
Speaking 25
  1. Part A: Simple questions (name, residence, school, family, etc. – warm-up)
  2. Part B: Short monologue in continuous speech, more demanding than previous levels; if photos are provided, describe feelings shown and justify
  3. Part C: Role-play between two candidates, more demanding than previous levels, requiring argumentation

No preparation time; in Part C candidates have ~2 minutes to read their role.

 12 minutes per pair

Total written exam duration: 2 hours

Level B2

Skill Points Task Type Exam Duration
Reading 20
  1. Fill-in-the-blanks in text: 12 correct phrases (0.5 pts each) + 1 example + 6 distractors (6 points)
    Authentic text, formal without special terminology: reviews, newspaper articles (400 words)
  2. Multiple choice (4 options): 7 correct + 1 example (7 points)
    Authentic, less formal towards friendly, descriptive, historical, etc. (600 words)
  3. Fill-in-the-blanks in summary: based on previous text, 7 correct + 1 example (7 points)
 45 minutes
Use of Language 20
  1. Find extra word (connectives, subjects): 7 correct + 1 example (7 points)
    Formal text (200–250 words)
  2. Multiple choice (4 options – derivatives/compounds): 6 correct + 1 example (6 points)
    Less formal text: news, informative, simple historical excerpt (200–250 words)
  3. Fill-in-the-blanks in text: 7 correct + 1 example + 5 distractors (7 points)
    Friendly, literary excerpt, informative, humorous (200–250 words)
 30 minutes
Listening 20
  1. Notes: 10 correct + 1 example
    Monologue: formal, informative, storytelling, part of interview, literary excerpt (500 words)
  2. Comparison (fill-in table): 10 correct + 1 example
    Dialogue/discussion among 3 people or excerpt from play (500 words)
 30 minutes
Writing 20
  1. Part A: Friendly letter to a friend, relative, less known person, newspaper, forum, giving advice, information, argumentation, etc. (200 words) (10 points)
  2. Part B: Formal text giving personal or other information, requesting justified permission, expressing justified complaints, etc. (200 words) (10 points)
 85 minutes
Speaking 20
  1. Part A: Simple questions (name, residence, school, family, etc. – warm-up)
  2. Part B: Monologue. Develop opinions on a given question. More demanding than previous levels.
  3. Part C: Discussion between two candidates with argumentation.

No preparation time; in Part C candidates have ~2 minutes to read their role.

 15 minutes per pair

Total written exam duration: 3 hours & 10 minutes

Level C1

Skill Points Task Type Exam Duration
Reading 20
  1. Fill-in-the-blanks in text: 10 correct (0.5 pts each) + 1 example + 5 distractors (5 points)
    Authentic text, low formality: informative, folkloric, descriptive, etc. (400 words)
  2. Match titles to paragraphs: 5 correct + 1 example + 3 distractors (5 points)
    Authentic text, towards friendly, literary, theatrical, narrative (myth, story, descriptive) (500 words)
  3. Multiple choice (4 options): 5 correct + 1 example (5 points)
    Formal text: essay excerpt without technical terms, descriptive (700 words)
  4. Fill-in-the-blanks in summary (based on previous text, ~200 words): 5 correct + 1 example (5 points)
 55 minutes
Use of Language 20
  1. Find extra/incorrect/missing word (connectives, subjects): 5 mistakes + 1 example (5 points)
    Friendly, narrative in past (200 words)
  2. Fill-in-the-blanks in text: 5 correct + 1 example + 5 distractors (5 points)
    Low formality, descriptive text (250 words)
  3. Fill-in-the-blanks with derivatives/compounds from table: 5 correct + 1 example (5 points)
    Formal, historical/informative excerpt (250 words)
  4. Synonyms/definitions: 5 correct + 1 example (5 points)
    Friendly, descriptive, excerpt from literary/theatrical/film work (250 words)
 30 minutes
Listening 20
  1. Notes: 10 notes (up to 8 words) + 1 example (10 points)
    Monologue: formal informative, storytelling, literary excerpt, part of lecture on social or other topic (700–800 words)
  2. Comparison (fill-in table): 10 correct + 1 example + 6 distractors (10 points)
    Friendly-oriented discussion among 3–4 people on various topics: everyday, social, scientific, etc. (800–900 words)
 40 minutes
Writing 20
  1. Part A: Friendly letter to a friend, relative, less known person, newspaper, forum, giving advice, information, argumentation, etc. (250–300 words) (10 points)
  2. Part B: Formal text giving personal or other information, requesting justified permission, expressing justified complaints, etc.; newspaper article with argumentation (300 words) (10 points)
 100 minutes
Speaking 20
  1. Part A: Simple questions (name, residence, school, family, etc. – warm-up)
  2. Part B: Monologue. Develop opinions on a given question. More demanding than previous levels.
  3. Part C: Timed discussion between two candidates with strong argumentation.

No preparation time; in Part C candidates have ~2 minutes to read the discussion topic.

 20 minutes per person

Total written exam duration: 3 hours & 45 minutes

Level C2

Skill Points Task Type Exam Duration
Reading 20
  1. Fill-in-the-blanks in text: 10 correct (0.5 pts each) + 1 example + 5 distractors (5 points)
    Authentic, low-formality, informative, folkloric, descriptive, etc. (500–600 words)
  2. Match paragraphs: 10 correct (0.5 pts each) + 1 example + 3 distractors (5 points)
    Authentic, towards friendly, literary, theatrical, narrative (myth, story, descriptive) (500–600 words)
  3. Multiple choice (4 options): 5 correct + 1 example (5 points)
    Formal text: essay excerpt without technical terms, descriptive, historical excerpt, research results, etc. (800–900 words)
  4. Fill-in-the-blanks in summary (based on previous text): 5 correct + 1 example (5 points)
 55 minutes
Use of Language 20
  1. Find extra/incorrect/missing word (connectives, subjects): 5 mistakes + 1 example (5 points)
    Friendly, narrative in past (200 words)
  2. Fill-in-the-blanks in text: 5 correct + 1 example + 5 distractors (5 points)
    Low formality, descriptive (250 words)
  3. Fill-in-the-blanks with derivatives/compounds from table: 5 correct + 1 example (5 points)
    Formal, historical/informative excerpt (250 words)
  4. Synonyms/definitions: 5 correct + 1 example (5 points)
    Friendly, descriptive, excerpt from literary/theatrical/film work (300 words)
 30 minutes
Listening 20
  1. Notes: 10 notes + 1 example (10 points)
    Monologue: formal informative, storytelling, literary excerpt, part of lecture on social/other topic (850–900 words)
  2. Multiple choice (4 options): 10 sentences + 1 example (10 points)
    Friendly-oriented discussion among 4–5 people on various topics: everyday, social, scientific, theatrical excerpt with 4–5 actors, etc. (850–900 words)
 40 minutes
Writing 20
  1. Part A: Friendly letter to a friend, relative, less known person, newspaper, forum, giving advice, information, argumentation, etc. (300–350 words) (10 points)
  2. Part B: Article on social issue. Formal text giving personal/other information, requesting justified permission, expressing justified complaints, newspaper article with argumentation (400–450 words) (10 points)
 115 minutes
Speaking 20
  1. Part A: Simple questions (name, residence, school, family, etc. – warm-up)
  2. Part B: Monologue. Develop opinions on a given question. More demanding than previous levels.
  3. Part C: Timed discussion between two candidates with strong argumentation.

No preparation time; in Part C candidates have ~2 minutes to read the discussion topics.

 20 minutes per pair

Total written exam duration: 4 hours

What are the passing Score Requirements?

To obtain an Ellinomatheia certificate, candidates must score at least 60% in each skill. Failing any single skill results in failing the exam overall.

How to Prepare Successfully

The best way to prepare for the Ellinomatheia exams is through structured Greek lessons  online that combine targeted practice, mock exams, and cultural insights.

At Greek Online Academy, our students benefit from:

  • Interactive online Greek lessons with real-life practice
  • Tailored materials for exam preparation and real-life communication
  • Use of online tools and platforms for extra practice
  • Small group, semi-private, or private lessons for interactive, personalized learning
  • Expert teachers (all hold MA degrees in Teaching Greek as a Second Language)
  • Flexible scheduling (mornings & evenings)
  • Cultural insights integrated into lessons
  • Free mock exams with detailed feedback
  • Proven results: 100% success rate in May 2025

We can also create a personalized learning path for students, starting from A1 up to the desired level, whether in group, semi-private (2 students), or private lessons, helping you reach your goals efficiently.

How Many Hours Are Needed for Each Level?

In-class hours per level at Greek Online Academy:

  • A1: 60 hours
  • A2: 90 hours
  • B1, B2, C1, C2: 150 hours each

Note: These hours cover classroom lessons. Additional study between classes is essential using our custom materials and exercises to consolidate learning and achieve mastery at each level.

Course Options

We offer flexible course formats:

Group Courses (interactive, small groups – max 6 students):

  • Intensive Programs: 3 lessons/week — perfect for focused exam preparation
  • Non-Intensive Programs: 2 lessons/week — steady pace with flexible scheduling

Private & Semi-Private Courses (fully personalized):

  • Private Lessons: One-on-one sessions tailored to your pace, level, and goals
  • Semi-Private Lessons: Two students per class, combining personal attention with peer interaction

Bonus: All courses include free mock exams with detailed feedback.

How to Register for the Centre for the Greek Language Exams

Here are the official May 2026 exam dates, fees, and registration period as announced by the Center for the Greek Language:

Level Knowledge Exam Date Exam Type Fee
A1 (children 8–12) Basic Tue, May 19, 2026 (morning) Written* €90
A1 (teens & adults), A2 Elementary Tue, May 19, 2026 (afternoon) Written* €90
B1 Intermediate Thu, May 21, 2026 (morning) Written* €90
B2 Upper-Intermediate Wed, May 20, 2026 (morning) Written* €100
C1 Advanced Wed, May 20, 2026 (afternoon) Written* €100
C2 Proficiency Thu, May 21, 2026 (afternoon) Written* €100

Registration Period: February 1 – March 20, 2026
Official portal & announcements: Centre for the Greek Language Certification
Registration link: Exam Registration Portal
Examination Centers: The Ellinomatheia exams are held worldwide. Find the nearest exam center here.

Exam Results & Certification

Check your results in the second half of July:

Certificates are sent to exam centers by the end of September and confirm your Greek proficiency at the level passed. They are accepted for academic, professional, or administrative purposes, including citizenship applications in Greece and Cyprus.

More Tips about the Exam

For more tips and strategies, see our comprehensive guide: Ellinomatheia Exams Survival Guide

How to Enroll at Greek Online Academy

Getting started is easy: use our Contact Page to enroll. Our team will guide you through course selection and scheduling — whether group, semi-private, or private lessons

Not Sure About Your Level or Which Course to Choose?

If you don’t know your Greek level or the most suitable course, contact us via our Contact Page. We’ll schedule a free trial / assessment lesson:

  • Evaluate your current level
  • Recommend the best course
  • Help you set achievable learning goals

Start from A1 and progress efficiently to your desired level, maximizing success in Ellinomatheia exams and real-life Greek communication.

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