What is the YÖS Exam?
YÖS is an abbreviation for the Foreign Student Examination. It is an exam that foreign students who want to study at universities in Türkiye must take. This exam is important for international students applying to undergraduate programs at Turkish universities. YÖS generally measures Turkish language skills and basic academic knowledge. The exam results are used to determine which universities and departments students will be accepted into.
How is the YÖS Exam conducted?
The YÖS exam is an exam for foreign students applying to undergraduate programs at universities in Türkiye. The general format of the YÖS exam includes the following steps:
Application: Students submit their applications https://tryos.osym.gov.tr They can apply online. You can find detailed information in the application guide or by calling ÖSYM at 444 67 96.
Exam Topics: The YÖS exam generally measures Turkish language skills and basic academic knowledge. The exam typically includes subjects such as mathematics, science, social sciences, and Turkish. However, each university may have a different exam format.
Exam Date and Location: After completing the application process, students are provided with information regarding the exam date, location, and exam rules. The exam is usually held at a designated center in Türkiye. YÖS applications generally begin in February and March, and universities typically accept YÖS applications until May and June.
Results: Results are announced within a certain period after the exam. Results are usually announced on the university's official website.
During the preparation process for the YÖS exam, candidates usually attend Turkish language courses or study by solving various resource books and tests. Each university may have different specific rules and content regarding the YÖS exam, so applicants should pay attention to the official information of the relevant university.
What are the YÖS Application Requirements?
The application requirements for the Foreign National Student Examination (YÖS) are as follows.
In addition to being in their final year of high school or having graduated, candidates applying for the Foreign National Student Examination (YÖS) who meet the following criteria are also considered to have fulfilled the YÖS requirements and can participate in the YÖS Exam:
- Being Foreign Nationals
- Those who were born Turkish citizens and later obtained permission to renounce their Turkish citizenship (Blue Card – Law No. 5901)
- Those who acquired Turkish citizenship while being foreign nationals
- Dual Nationals
- Turkish citizens who have completed their education in a foreign country (it is mandatory that the last three years of their education were completed abroad!)
- Students who have completed their education and training at Turkish schools in a foreign country (e.g., the Western European Open High School Program)
- Those who have the GCE AL exam
- Foreign students who received their high school education in Türkiye
Candidates included in this category are considered to have met the YÖS requirements and are therefore eligible to take the YÖS exam.
Who cannot apply?
- Students who are citizens of the Republic of Türkiye and have graduated from high school in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
- Students who are both citizens of the Republic of Türkiye and citizens of another foreign country, and who completed high school in Türkiye.
- Dual citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
- Dual nationals studying at foreign high schools within the borders of Türkiye.
Cannot apply for YÖS!
Is Language Proficiency Required?
- Group A: will not encounter any obstacles related to the Turkish language in their higher education.
- Group B: An additional course, Turkish for International Students, is added to the curriculum.
- Group C: The student must either complete a Turkish preparatory course or obtain a Turkish language certificate from TÖMER.
What should the GPA be?
The most critical requirement for YÖS candidates is graduating from a school equivalent to a high school in Türkiye. These students must obtain an Equivalency Certificate, declaring that their diploma is equivalent to a high school diploma in Türkiye.
Some universities require a minimum GPA of 40-60. Departments like Medical Schools may have specific GPA criteria. These requirements can vary from university to university.
YÖS 2024 Exam Dates
The YÖS 2024 exam will be held twice this year. The first YÖS exam will take place on May 18, 2024. The second YÖS exam will be held on October 27, 2024.
Applications for the first YÖS Exam must be submitted between March 1, 2024 and March 18, 2024.
The application dates for the second YÖS Exam will be between August 16 and September 2, 2024.
The results of the first YÖS exam will be announced on June 14, 2024. The results of the second YÖS exam will be announced on November 22, 2024.
YÖS exam results will be accepted by all state universities, and universities will not be organizing their own YÖS – Foreign Student exams in 2024.
You can review the YÖS calendar in the table below.
| 1. YÖS Calendar | 2nd YÖS Calendar | |
| Application Date | March 1, 2024 – March 18, 2024 | August 16, 2024 – September 2, 2024 |
| Exam Date | May 18, 2024 | October 27, 2024 |
| Exam Results | June 14, 2024 | November 22, 2024 |
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