This year’s Panhellenic Exams—the national university entrance examinations in Greece—produced dozens of top-scoring students across the country, many achieving over 19,000 points out of a possible 20,000. Among the 89,032 candidates who sat for the exams, standout performers hailed from islands like Rhodes and Lesvos, as well as mainland cities including Thessaloniki, Larissa, and Crete.
Achieving Excellence: Discipline, Support, and Confidence
A common thread among these high-achievers is methodical preparation, self-belief, and strong support from family and teachers. For many, success wasn’t just about long hours of study—it was also about balance, resilience, and emotional grounding during an intense academic year.
Joanna Papakosta: From Larissa to Medicine
Joanna Papakosta from Larissa earned one of the highest scores nationwide—19,780 points—and secured her place in Medical School. Speaking to onlarissa.gr, she admitted she hadn’t expected such a result. Her preparation involved years of consistent study, unwavering family encouragement, and even small personal rituals—like taking Saturday breaks—to stay mentally fresh.
Konstantinos Samarinas: A Clear Path to Informatics
Konstantinos Samarinas, also from Larissa, scored 19,040 points and will enroll in the Department of Informatics and Telecommunications at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA). From an early age, he had his sights set on this program. In an interview with the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA-MPA), he said he felt little exam-related anxiety—but acknowledged the real challenge lay in juggling school, private tutoring, and independent study throughout the final year. “I knew I’d done very well,” he recalled, adding that he felt confident he’d gain admission to his dream department even before results were announced.
The Papaoikonomou Twins: Excellence in Tandem
In Rhodes, twin siblings Giannis and Anna Papaoikonomou achieved remarkable scores—19,373 and 19,310 points respectively—with just a 63-point gap between them. Both are graduates of the Lyceum of Kremasti, Rhodes. Giannis aims for the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, while Anna, scoring in the Health Sciences field, is headed to Medical School. Speaking to ANA-MPA, Giannis described the preparation year as rewarding despite its intensity—and emphasized how vital encouragement from teachers, friends, and family was to his success. “The Panhellenics don’t define our lives,” he said. “They’re a major opportunity—one that opens many doors. It’s a year of effort that pays off.”