Panellinios Diagonismos Biologias

The organizers -Hellenic Union of Biologists (PEV)- prepare a document in November of each scholastic year. This document is approved by the Ministry of Education and distributed to all the Directorates of Secondary Education of the country. The Directorates send the document to all the schools of their relevance.

The information of schools about the National Biology Contest usually takes place before the 20th of December of each scholastic year.

There is no press information for the contest.

Organizing institution is the Hellenic Union of Biologists (PEV).

The national biology contest takes place in three rounds:

1st round (beginning of February), theoretical test for students of general secondary education as well as of technical and vocational education (usually do not participate students from technical-vocational education, but they are invited to participate). Two sets of questions are given to the students: Questions for students of the 11th grade and questions for students of 12th grade.

2nd round (mid-April), theoretical test for the top 24 students of the 12th grade as well as for the top 10 students of the 11th grade, in common questions for 12th grade students (this is the reason why, most of the 10 students of the 11th grade usually do not decide to participate in this second round, but they can participate (and they do it) during next year’s contest).

3rd round (end of April), mainly practical test for the top 12 students of the 2nd round. This round takes place in the biology department of Athens University or in a biological research centre and lasts half a day.

In the first two rounds, the theoretical tests comprise 80% close-type questions (multiple choice, right or wrong, corresponding sentences etc.) and 20% open-type questions (essays etc.).

Places of the tests: Certain schools all over the country (1st round), Athens University classroom (2nd round) and Athens University or a biological research centre (or both) laboratory.

Students’ training takes place only for two week (or less) because of the matriculation and other in-the-schools examinations. It takes place in a biology laboratory in the Athens University as well as in a laboratory of a biological research centre. Besides, few theoretical teaching hours are spent for the subjects that are examined by the IBO and are not included in our national curriculum (thus not taught).

School text books and Campbell book for the preparation of the four finalists.

No special materials (at least so far).

Certificates and books for the top 24+10 students of the 1st round.

Free entrance to the University (biology and health faculties) only for IBO medallists.

No sponsors for IBO.

Only few sponsors for the Hellenic Union of Biologists (PEV).

The Ministry of Education sends the documents all the country around and pays for the traveling tickets for participation to the IBO.

No special rules.

600 to 800 students from all over the country.