ECCE

From a choice of two options—an email or an essay—test takers write one response presenting and supporting their opinion. For the email, a situation and a formal purpose for writing are briefly described, followed by instructions on what to write. For the essay, a proposal or statement is provided, followed by instructions on what to write.

Length requirement: about 1 A4 page. There is a designated area for note-taking in the test booklet. Candidates must use pencil in this section.

Writing section duration: 30 minutes

Required task: 1

This section is scored at Michigan Language Assessment.

Part 1 (25 items): Each item consists of a short recorded conversation followed by a question. The three answer options for each item are shown as pictures. Test takers must choose one of three picture options provided.

Part 1 is heard once.

Part 2 (20 items): It consists of 4 talks on different topics, spoken by a different person and followed by 5 questions each (20 items). Test takers are given preview time before each talk.  After hearing the talks they must choose one of four answer options provided. Test takers can take notes in the test booklet.

Part 2 is heard twice.

Listening section duration: 45 min.

Candidates must write their answers on the answer sheet provided using pencil. Extra time to transfer answers from the test booklet onto the answer sheet is not given. This section is scored at Michigan Language Assessment.

Grammar (15 items): An incomplete sentence is followed by a choice of words or phrases to complete it. There are four answer options for each item. Only one choice is grammatically correct.

Vocabulary (14 items): An incomplete sentence is followed by a choice of words or phrases to complete it. There are four answer options for each item. Only one word has the correct meaning in that context.

Reading task 1 (12 items): Each set consists of a short reading passage followed by six comprehension questions. There are four answer options for each item.

Reading task 2 (24 items): Two sets of four short texts related to each other by topic are followed by 12 questions each. There are four answer options for each item.

Reading section (GVR) duration: 75 min.

Candidates must write their answers on the answer sheet provided using pencil. Extra time to transfer answers from the test booklet onto the answer sheet is not given. This section is scored at Michigan Language Assessment.

The ECCE Speaking Section lets test takers demonstrate their ability to perform various tasks during its four stages. The test taker participates in a structured, multi-stage task directed by one examiner. In stage 1 the test taker responds to personal (non-sensitive) questions. In stage 2 the examiner briefly describes the procedure and explains that the test taker should ask the questions shown on the Speaking prompt and listen to the information provided so that s/he can use it later on. In stage 3 the test taker chooses one of the two options presented in the previous stage and explains why. In addition, s/he should mention why the other option was not chosen. In stage 4 the examiner asks the test taker three additional questions related to the topic of discussion.

Duration: 10-15 minutes      

Test format: 1 examiner and 1 candidate

The three first parts (Writing, Listening, and GVR) comprise the written section of the examination and they are all administered on the same day. The fourth part, the Speaking Test, is administered before or after or even at the same day of the written examination.

If you are an individual candidate:

1. Visit the Hellenic American Union website.
2. Navigate to “Sign In”. 
3. Then select “Register” and fill in your personal information.
4. You will receive an automated e-mail with a link to verify your account and complete the registration.
5. Click on the link and fill in your username and password. Finally, select “Sign In” to complete the registration process.

If you are a teacher or a Foreign Language School owner:

1. Visit the Hellenic American Union website and complete the form with your personal and/or business information, and upload the required documents.*

   Please note: You will be asked to provide an email address to register for Orfeas. This address, as well as the optional secondary email address should not have been used previously to create an Orfeas account or register as an individual candidate.

2. Select “Save”.
3. You will receive an automated e-mail with a link to verify your account and complete the registration.
4. We will process your request, and e-mail you with a temporary password for first-time access. After that, you will be asked to change your password.

*Acceptable documents (max 5 MB):

For teachers (one of the following):

• Proficiency in English certificate
• Degree from a foreign university with English as the language of instruction
• English Language and/or Literature degree
• Renewal of teaching license 
• Certificate of commencement of teaching profession
• CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
• DELTA (Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
• English Literature document of final year studies

For Foreign Language Schools (one of the following):

• Business registry details from the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (ΑΑΔΕ) 
• Certificate of commencement of activity for individual entrepreneurs 
• Certificate from the General Commercial Registry (ΓΕΜΗ) 
• Company stamp 
• Certification from the Organization for Certification of Qualifications & Professional Orientation (ΕΟΠΠΕΠ)

Please note that this step is required to register yourself or your students for your chosen exams at a later time.

You can place your order in the following ways:

• Completing an order form through the online store of our educational publications.
• Sending an e-mail to publications@hau.gr or calling +302103680920. Be sure to include your full name, address, Hellenic American Union collaboration number, and email address (if you have called to place your order).

Please note: Orders over €20.00 are sent free of charge; otherwise, a delivery fee of €5.00 applies.

For Foreign Language Schools owners and teachers:

1. After logging into Orfeas with your e-mail and password, select the “Applications/Registrations” section. You will be automatically redirected to the “My Students” tab.
2. If this is your first time registering a student, select “New Student”, fill in their personal details (using all Roman capital letters, exactly as they appear on their ID or passport), and click “Save”. If the student has already been registered, you can find them in your student list.
3. Select the checkbox next to the candidate’s name (or select multiple boxes if you wish to register multiple candidates for the same exam). Then, click “Register Students”.
4. When the pop-up window appears, follow the on-screen instructions. Click “Submit”, and you will be automatically directed to the “My Exams” tab.
5. You will see the new group of students for registration. Click “Pay & Submit” to choose your payment method and to finalize your application.

For Individual Candidates:

1. After logging into Orfeas with your e-mail and password, go to the “Registration” section.
2. Enter your personal details using Roman capital letters, exactly as they appear on your ID or passport.
3. Read and accept the terms and conditions, then click “Save”.
4. You will be automatically redirected to “My Exams”. Select “New Application” from the top right.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions, and click on “Submit” to review your application, and click “Pay & Submit” to complete the process.

To pay the examination fee, you must first complete the registration and application for your chosen exam.

Available payment options:

• Credit Card
• IRIS
• Reference Code

To make a payment using the Reference Code, please follow these steps: 

1. Use e-banking or phone banking through your bank.
2. Select “HELLENIC AMERICAN UNION” in the “Payments” field.
3. Select the fee amount specified in the confirmation email you received after registration.

According to exam regulation 4.12., the examination fees paid are non-transferable and non-refundable. If you notice any mistakes in your application and need to correct them, please contact us via email at exams@hau.gr or by phone at +30 2103680000.

You can request special accommodations when you register the candidate on Orfeas.
You will need to provide the medical documentation that describes the candidate’s disability or/and learning difficulty; this must be issued by a qualified medical professional.

If the documents are not in English, you must arrange to have them translated into English, and the translation notarized (e.g., by a lawyer or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Translation Service). Either the original certified translation or its certified copy can be submitted. We can assist you by translating and notarizing the documents if needed. Please note that a processing fee will be charged for administrative expenses.

For more information on the types of accommodations, required documentation, and the application process, please visit our Nonstandard Test Accommodations page.

For Foreign Language Schools and teachers:

Once you complete the application process for your students, you will receive an e-mail notification to confirm the payment and the students’ schedules on Orfeas.

For individual candidates:

Once you complete the application process, you will receive an e-mail notification to confirm the payment and your schedule.

For Foreign Language Schools and teachers:

To view your students’ exam schedules, follow these steps:

1. Sign in to Orfeas.
2. Click on “Applications/Registrations”.
3. Select “My Exams”.
4. Choose the exam group (e.g., ECPE May 2023).
5. Click on “Exam Schedule” in the pop-up window to download your students’ schedules.

For individual candidates:

To view your schedule, follow these steps:

1. Sign in to Orfeas.
2. Click on “Registration”.
3. Select “My Applications”.
4. Choose the application of your choice (e.g., ECPE May 2023).
5. Click on “Exam Schedule” in the pop-up window and select “Download Schedule” to download your schedule.

On the day of the exam, you must:

• Bring a valid national identity card, passport, driver’s license or an identity certificate (“tautoprosopia” with a stamped photo) from the official authority. If you do not have one of these documents, you will not be allowed to enter the examination room.
• Bring a watch (except for Cambridge English exams), a soft pencil (#2) or a pen (for the Writing section if taking a Cambridge exam at B1 level or above) and an eraser.
• Arrive at the test center at least thirty (30) minutes before your scheduled exam time.

On the day of the exam, you must not:

• Bring your mobile phone or any other electronic devices (smartwatches, portable media players, etc.).
• Bring books, notes, or other educational materials.

For more details, visit Exam Guidelines.

If you miss your scheduled Speaking test, please contact the Hellenic American Union Center for Examinations and Certifications as soon as possible:

• Athens: +30 210 368 0000 (9:00-19:00), exams@hau.gr 
• Thessaloniki: +30 2310 557 600 (9:00-17:00), thessaloniki@hau.gr 

For Foreign Language School owners and teachers: 

To access your students’ results, follow these steps:

1. Sign in to Orfeas.
2. Click on “Applications/Registrations”.
3. Select “Statistics/Results”.
4. Use the filters to choose the year, examination name, and examination period.
5. Click “View” to view the results.

For individual candidates: 

To access your results, follow these steps:

1. Sign in to Orfeas.
2. Click on “Registration”.
3. Select “My Exams”.
4. Select your application (e.g., ECPE May 2023).
5. Click on “Scores” in the pop-up window, and select “Download Score report” to download your detailed score report.

Note: If you wish to view your results but you did not register as an individual candidate, but rather through your teacher or Foreign Language School, you must register as a new user in the Orfeas system after 2:00 PM on the following day of the announcement of the results. Then, select “Exam Results” from the menu and, by filling in the required fields, you will have access to your results. 

The exams administered by the Hellenic American Union are scored by the test developers under strict quality control conditions. These measures ensure the accuracy and validity of the results.

However, you can arrange to have your exam rescored, if you wish, for a fee and within the timeframe set by the test developer. To do so, fill out the rescoring request form (which becomes available the day of the results announcement) which we will send to the examination body. You will receive the result of the rescoring by mail.

For more information, visit the Rescoring page.

• If you registered for the exam through a Language School or teacher, your certificate will be sent directly to them.
• If you were an individual candidate at a test center outside Athens, your certificate will be mailed to the address you provided during registration. No further action is required on your part.
  If your address has changed since your registration, please complete and submit the relevant form to Certificates Application Form to certificates@hau.gr.
• If you were an individual candidate at a test center in Athens: 

1. You can pick up your certificate in person by visiting our offices, from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, from the Results and Certifications Office (Massalias 22, 10680, Athens) and presenting your identity card, passport, driving license or an identity certificate (“tautoprosopia” with a stamped photo) from the official authority. 
2. Υou can receive your certificate via courier service free of charge by following the steps below:

• Download, complete, and sign the application form.
• Forward the completed application together with a copy of your identity card, passport or any other legal identification document (e.g., a driver’s license or identity certificate - “tautoprosopia” - containing a photograph stamped by a Public Authority), using one of the following ways:  
  • By mail: Didotou 15, 10680 Athens, or Fragkon 14, 54626, Thessaloniki
  • By email: certificates@hau.gr

We will notify you by email once your certificate is ready for shipment.

For more information on the receipt and shipping of original certificates, please visit our Results and Certificates Services page.

Lost certificates cannot be reissued if more than twenty-four (24) months have passed since the exam date. However, the Hellenic American Union can provide you with a document certifying the loss of your certificate. A fee to cover administrative costs is charged for this service.

If you need to have your certificate reissued or a certification of loss issued, or if you need more information on lost or damaged certificates, please visit our Results and Certificates Services page.

The B1 to C2 level English language proficiency certificates issued by the Hellenic American Union are officially recognized in Greece by both the state (Supreme Council for Civil Personnel Selection - ΑΣΕΠ) and the private sector.

Language proficiency certificates can be used for academic and professional purposes abroad. However, each university has its own requirements regarding the accepted certificates. Therefore, we recommend contacting the foreign universities you are interested in directly to inquire about the English language certificates they accept, as well as any potential time limitations regarding their validity.