YKS

YKS stands for Yükseköğretim Kurumları Sınavı, the central examination used for admission to higher education in Turkey. Administered by the Student Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM), it was introduced in 2018 to replace the former YGS and LYS exams and to unify university entrance testing under a single framework.

The exam is organized into three main components: Temel Yeterlilik Testi (TYT), Alan Yeterlilik Testi (AYT), and Yabancı Dil Testi (YDT). TYT assesses basic competencies across Turkish language and literature, social sciences, mathematics, and science. AYT tests more advanced knowledge in specific subject areas aligned with applicants’ intended fields of study, such as mathematics, science disciplines, social sciences, and literature-related subjects. YDT measures foreign language proficiency, typically for applicants to programs requiring foreign language competence, with options such as English, German, or French.

Scoring and placement are determined through standardized results from the three test components. Applicants submit program preferences to ÖSYM, and university placements are made according to overall performance, available quotas for each program, and tie-break rules. The system emphasizes a national framework for ranking rather than multiple regional exams.

Eligibility typically includes high school graduates or those completing their secondary education in Turkey. YKS serves as the primary pathway for admission to most public and many private universities, though some institutions may require additional assessments or criteria.

The introduction of YKS reshaped Turkish higher education planning and preparation. Students devote substantial time to test preparation, and a broad ecosystem of study resources and preparatory courses has developed around the exam.