ADHD, the Panhellenic exams and university in Greece: what applies and how to prepare

Short answer

In the Panhellenic exams, ADHD is not a separate category for oral examination or written examination in a separate room, not even after the 2024 and 2025 amendments. A special exam arrangement is given if KEDASY establishes one of the listed categories, such as a specific learning difficulty. ADHD is also not on the list of serious conditions for university entry through the 5% category. At universities, every institution must have an Equal Access Unit, which can propose exam adjustments.

Panhellenic exams: what the official procedure says

The examination of candidates with disabilities and special educational needs is governed by Ministerial Decision F.251/22806/A5/2021 (B 897). Amendments in force: F.251/41927/A5/2022 (B 1785), F.251/160199/A5/2022 (B 6864), F.251/142612/A5/2024 (B 6527, 28/11/2024) and F.251/43567/A5/2025 (B 2064, 30/4/2025). The circular for the 2026 Panhellenic exams (F.251/64200/A5/22-5-2026) refers to the same framework. The categories today:

• A — Oral, on application: blind or visually impaired ≥ 67%, upper-limb motor disability ≥ 67%, upper-limb spasticity, and specific learning difficulties (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, dysorthography and others). For learning difficulties a KEDASY decision is needed that states exactly which difficulty the candidate has.

• B — Oral: candidates with “complex cognitive, emotional and social difficulties”, with an assessment report confirming special educational needs and inability to sit a written exam.

• C — Autism spectrum: a choice between written in a separate room with extra time, or oral.

• D — Written in a separate room, with extra time: severe hearing problems ≥ 67%, “speech–language disorders (problems)” and epilepsy.

• Extra time: decided exclusively by KEDASY and does not exceed 30 minutes.

• All other cases sit the standard written exams. Reports stating a diagnosis other than those listed are not accepted.

What the 2024 and 2025 amendments changed: the 2024 amendment replaced only category D: “speech and language problems (dysarthria, stuttering)” became “speech–language disorders (problems)”, a broader wording without the two examples. The 2025 amendment changed only the terminology for supervisors (Education Advisers instead of Coordinators of Educational Work). Neither mentions ADHD.

What this means for a candidate with ADHD: ADHD is not a separate category in the Panhellenic exams. A special exam arrangement is given only if KEDASY establishes one of the listed categories, for example if a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia coexists. That is why it is worth having the assessment early and having it look at both.

In practice: if your child has ADHD and you are considering a special exam arrangement, talk to KEDASY early, from the second year of Lyceum or earlier. Ask whether it accepts a medical report as supporting evidence and what it should contain. Applications go to the Lyceum where the Application-Declaration is submitted, in the same period, unless the year’s circular sets another date.

Special 5% category (entry without exams): ADHD is not included. The category is based on article 35 of Law 3794/2009 and a closed list of serious conditions with codes, set by Joint Ministerial Decision F.153/146145/A5/2019 (B 3557), as amended in 2022 (B 6069), 2023 (B 6861, codes 106–108 added) and 2024 (B 6869, codes 5, 63 and 79 reworded). The list contains no ADHD and no other psychiatric disorder. The only neurodevelopmental category is code 91: “pervasive developmental disorder with a disability rate of at least 67%”. For entry in 2026–2027, circular F.152/152050/A5/24-11-2025 set the deadline for applications to the hospitals’ Special Seven-Member Committees from 1/12/2025 to 6/2/2026.

University: exam adjustments

Law 4957/2022 (article 209) provides for an Equal Access Unit for students with disabilities and special educational needs at every university. Each institution sets its own adjustments. For example, the University of Thessaly has a Senate decision (Government Gazette B 2431/2023) with alternative exam formats: oral, mixed, in a quiet or separate room, with adjusted duration.

What to do:

1. Find your institution’s Access Unit as soon as you enrol, not just before the exam period.

2. Ask which documents they accept and which adjustments they usually offer.

3. A medical report helps when it describes specifically what is difficult in exams (for example, distraction in a noisy room, time), not just the diagnosis.

Studying with ADHD: what helps

Instead of “I will study more”, we work with “when… then… because…” rules: “When I sit down to study, then the phone stays in another room, because one notification costs me half an hour.” A few rules, written down, in a visible place.

• Short blocks with a clear goal (“3 exercises”, not “a chapter”) and a break with movement.

• Practice papers with a timer, so the brain learns the pace of the exam.

• Sleep: in ADHD, lack of sleep makes attention even worse. See ADHD and sleep.

In the assessment I always ask about caffeine and energy drinks. During exam periods many young people increase them to “concentrate”, and this can spoil sleep and increase anxiety.

For exam anxiety we say in the practice: what you feel is not proof of reality. “I’ll forget everything” on the morning of the exam is anxiety, not a prediction.

When to seek an assessment

If concentration difficulties have been present since primary school and did not appear only with the stress of exams, a proper assessment is worthwhile. See Adult ADHD assessment and ADHD and studying abroad.

Disclaimer: The rules change with ministerial decisions and circulars. Confirm with the Lyceum, KEDASY or the institution.

Sources

1. Government Gazette B 6527/28.11.2024, Ministerial Decision F.251/142612/A5. https://stadiodromia.gr/enhmer2sh/24_25/083.pdf

2. Government Gazette B 2064/30.04.2025, Ministerial Decision F.251/43567/A5. https://svbfcjrdvqksffawtciv.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/docs/feks/2025/02/20250202064.pdf

3. Consolidated text of categories A–D and 2022 amendments. https://edu.klimaka.gr/panelladikes/exetaseis/531-panelladikes-exetaseis-mathhtwn-anaphries-eidikes-anagkes

4. National Register of Administrative Procedures, examination of candidates with disabilities. https://mitos.gov.gr

5. Circular F.251/64200/A5/22-5-2026. https://www.compass.mysch.gr/panelladikes-exetaseis-gel-ypopsifion-me-anapiria-kai-eidikes-ekpaideftikes-anagkes-i-eidikes-mathisiakes-dyskolies-2026/

6. List of serious conditions for the 5% category with codes (Joint Ministerial Decisions 2019–2023). https://www.alfavita.gr/ekpaideysi/436540_eisagogi-sta-aei-2024-me-5-mehri-telos-ianoyarioy-i-aitisi-pistopoiitikoy

7. Circular F.152/152050/A5/24-11-2025 (5% certificates, entry 2026–2027). https://edu.klimaka.gr/panelladikes/exetaseis/782-eisagwgh-atomwn-sovares-pathhseis

8. Joint Ministerial Decision F.153/149280/A5/2024, Government Gazette B 6869/16-12-2024. https://www.e-nomothesia.gr/kat-ekpaideuse/deuterobathmia-ekpaideuse/kya-ph153-149280-a5-2024.html

9. University of Thessaly, decision 8252/23/GP, Government Gazette B 2431/2023. https://www.phys.uth.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/%CE%A6%CE%95%CE%9A-2431-%CE%92-2023.pdf

10. Parliamentary question 14/7/2025 on Equal Access Units (article 209, Law 4957/2022). https://www.hellenicparliament.gr/UserFiles/c0d5184d-7550-4265-8e0b-078e1bc7375a/13006188.pdf