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YKS
Yükseköğretim Kurumları Sınavı
📝 National University Entrance Examination Paper-based ⏱ Valid: 1 Year Since 2018 ⚡ Very High
🕐 Last updated: June 18, 2026
📝 Register Now 🌐 Official Site
›
Score Range
100 to 500
Exam Fee
$10
Duration
465 minutes total across three sessions
Questions
360
Score Valid
1 Year
Frequency
Once per year
Accepted By
208
Pass Rate
Approx 35% of candidates qualify for 4-year degree placements.
Difficulty
Very High
📝 Register for YKS 🌐 Official Website ✍️ Need application help? →
Quick Summary

YKS (Yükseköğretim Kurumları Sınavı) is a national university entrance examination conducted by ÖSYM (Ölçme, Seçme ve Yerleştirme Merkezi). Scores range from 100 to 500, valid for 1 Year, with a total duration of 465 minutes total across three sessions. Accepted by 208, the exam fee is $10, with very high difficulty level.

📋 Exam Overview
🎯
Score Range
100 to 500
⏱
Duration
465 minutes total across three sessions
💳
Fee
$10
📅
Valid For
1 Year
🖥
Mode
Paper-based
🌍
Accepted By
208
🗓
Frequency
Once per year
🏛
Conducted By
ÖSYM (Ölçme, Seçme ve Yerleştirme Merkezi)
❓
Total Qs
360
📑
Sections
TYT, AYT, YDT
⚡
Difficulty
Very High
📊
Pass Rate
Approx 35% of candidates qualify for 4-year degree placements.
Geleceğin Senin Elinde
👤 Who Should Take This Exam?
High school graduates or senior students seeking admission to Turkish higher education institutions. This includes students aiming for associate or bachelor degrees.
🎓 Education Level
Undergraduate
🌍 Accepted In
Turkey Northern Cyprus
📝 Exam Structure & Format
Question Types
Multiple choice questions with four distractors and one correct answer.
Language / Medium
Turkish
Total Duration
465 minutes total across three sessions
Retake Policy
Candidates can take the exam once every academic year during the scheduled dates.
Total Questions
360
Sections
TYT, AYT, YDT
⚙️ More format details (timing, marking, equipment)See all ▾
Time Per Section
TYT: 165 minutes, AYT: 180 minutes, YDT: 120 minutes.
Negative Marking
Yes
Calculator Allowed
No
Scratch Paper
Yes
Breaks Allowed
No
Home Edition
No
Digital vs Paper
YKS is strictly paper-based, unlike the e-YDS which is its digital counterpart for language proficiency only.
📑 Section Details
TYT (Basic Proficiency) covers common core subjects; AYT (Field Proficiency) covers advanced discipline-specific topics; YDT (Foreign Language) tests language skills.
🎯 Scoring System
Score Range
100 to 500
Good / Passing Score
Varies by program; previously 150/180 but thresholds were removed in 2022.
How Scoring Works
Scores are calculated using a net formula where four incorrect answers remove one correct answer. The raw scores are then standardized and converted to a 100-500 scale.
🏆 Minimum Scores for Top Universities
Candidates must have a calculated score (minimum 0.5 net in relevant sections) to be eligible for placement.
📊 Section / sub-scoresSee all ▾
Writing
Not specified
Speaking
Not specified
Listening
Not specified
Reading
Yes
Grammar
Yes
Vocabulary
Yes
Analytical
Yes
Quantitative
Yes
Verbal
Yes
Subject
Yes
All Sub-Scores
Yes
📈 Avg First Attempt
240
🔼 Score Improvement
15% improvement is common for students who repeat the exam after a gap year.
💳 Registration & Fees
Fee (USD)
$10
See all ▾
10
Fee (INR)
₹830
See all ▾
830
Other
295 TRY per session
📝 Register Now →
📋 Policies (rescheduling, cancellation, verification, waivers)See all ▾
⏰ Register in Advance
4 months
🔄 Rescheduling Policy
Rescheduling is not permitted; candidates must wait for the next annual cycle.
❌ Cancellation Policy
No refunds are issued after the registration period ends, even if the candidate does not attend.
🔍 Score Verification
Yes
📋 Score Audit
Yes
↩ Reinstatement Policy
Not specified
🎁 Fee Waiver Criteria
Not specified
📅 Exam Dates & Schedule
📆 Available Months
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
🔁 Frequency
Once per year
📊 Results Declared
Approximately 30 days after the exam date
🔄 Retake Policy
Candidates can take the exam once every academic year during the scheduled dates.
⏰ Register By
4 months
✅ Eligibility & Access
🎂 Age Limit
None
🎓 Education Required
High school graduation or being in the senior year of high school.
🛂 Citizenship
Turkish citizenship, Blue Card holders, or foreign nationals with specific residency permits.
📍 Test Centers
188
More on accommodations, ID, and special versionsSee all ▾
🪪 ID Required
Yes
♿ Accessibility
Provisions include readers/scribes for visually impaired students and separate rooms for candidates with physical disabilities.
🔀 Special Versions
None
📐 Subject Variants
Social Sciences, Science, Mathematics, Literature, Foreign Languages.
🤝 Disability Accommodations
Extra time and assistive tools are provided upon submission of a valid medical board report.
🗓 Exam Day Guide
✅ What to Bring
Exam Entrance Document (Sınav Giriş Belgesi) and valid National ID Card with a photo.
🚫 Prohibited Items
Cell phones, smartwatches, bags, wallets, keys, and all types of food or drink except water in a transparent bottle.
📋 Exam Day Rules
No electronic devices, no watches, no jewelry, and no personal stationery. Doors close exactly 15 minutes before the exam start time.
After the exam: score reporting and deliverySee all ▾
⏱ Score Reporting
4 weeks
📤 Score Sending
Scores are automatically integrated into the YÖK (Higher Education Council) placement system.
🎓 Score Recipients
Turkish Higher Education Council and all public/private Turkish universities.
📚 Preparation Guide
📅 Recommended Prep Time
12 to 18 months
🗓 Avg Prep Months
10 months
Preparation focuses on the Turkish national high school curriculum across four years. Students typically use specialized question banks and attend private tutoring centers known as 'Dershane'.
💡 Top Tips & Tricks
Practice speed reading for the TYT session to manage the tight time limit. Focus on conceptual understanding in AYT as it carries a higher weight for four-year degrees.
Full study plan, resources, and common mistakesSee all ▾
📅 Study Plan
A typical 12-month plan involves completing the TYT curriculum by December and focusing heavily on AYT subjects from January to June. Mock exams should be taken weekly in the final three months.
📖 Recommended Books
Palme Yayıncılık Science Series, Karekök Mathematics, and Bilgi Sarmal Question Banks.
🏫 Popular Prep Courses
Final Akademi, Uğur Kurs, Sınav Koleji.
📱 Popular Prep Apps
Kunduz, Raunt, Vitamin Eğitim.
✅ Official Practice Tests
Yes
🆓 Free Online Resources
EBA (Education Informatics Network), ÖSYM past papers archive, and TRT EBA TV broadcasts.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
Spending too much time on a single difficult question in the TYT section. Ignoring the impact of high school GPA, which is added to the final YKS score.
💡 EduAtlasHub Exclusive Insights
🔍 Insider Tips
The '15-minute rule' is strictly enforced; if you arrive at the school gate less than 15 minutes before the start, you will not be admitted. Use the provided pencil and eraser as personal stationery is prohibited.
⭐ Unique Features
Includes a centralized placement system based on candidate preferences and ranking; the exam is split into basic and field proficiency over two days.
🎓 How This Score Impacts Your Application
This is the primary and often sole factor for university placement in Turkey. It determines both the university and the specific department a student can enter.
More insights: country notes, comparisons, myths, examiner tipsSee all ▾
🌍 Country-Specific Notes
The exam is extremely competitive with over 3 million applicants annually. It is a significant cultural event in Turkey that affects family life and student mental health.
⚖️ Comparison with Alternatives
YKS is broader than the SAT and more similar to the French Baccalaureate or the Chinese Gaokao in terms of high-stakes intensity.
🆕 Recent Changes
The minimum threshold score was abolished in 2022, and the duration of the TYT session was extended from 135 to 165 minutes.
🔜 Upcoming Changes
Discussions regarding digital transformation are ongoing, but no official date for a paperless YKS has been set.
🧐 Myths vs Facts
Myth: You can enter any department if you pass the threshold. Fact: Many high-demand departments have strict ranking requirements (e.g., Medicine requires being in the top 50,000).
👨‍🏫 Examiner Tips
Do not leave a question blank if you can eliminate at least two options, but be careful of the 0.25 negative marking penalty.
🏆 Success Stories
Thousands of students from disadvantaged backgrounds gain admission to prestigious institutions like Boğaziçi and METU through the centralized YKS system each year.
📋 Post-Exam Steps
Candidates must submit a preference list of up to 24 university programs through the AIS system in July.
🎯 Score Uses Beyond Admission
Used for some scholarship criteria and entry into the National Defense University (MSÜ).
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the YKS score valid?+
The YKS score is valid for 1 Year.
How much does the YKS cost?+
The exam fee is $10 (approximately ₹830 in India).
How often can I retake the YKS?+
Candidates can take the exam once every academic year during the scheduled dates.
When are YKS results declared?+
Approximately 30 days after the exam date
Which universities accept the YKS?+
YKS is accepted by 208.
Is a calculator allowed in the YKS?+
No
How should I prepare for the YKS?+
Preparation focuses on the Turkish national high school curriculum across four years. Students typically use specialized question banks and attend private tutoring centers known as 'Dershane'.
📝
Register for YKS
Geleceğin Senin Elinde
Register Now →
📊 Quick Facts
Official Site →
Conducted ByÖSYM (Ölçme, Seçme ve Yerleştirme Merkezi)
Year Started2018
CategoryNational University Entrance Examination
Last UpdatedJune 18, 2026
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