International students dreaming of a Turkish university inevitably come across the abbreviation YÖS. The YÖS exam in Turkey is the main tool for selecting international applicants, and its role in 2026 has not diminished. Running alongside it is TR-YÖS — a centralised exam from the state body ÖSYM. This guide covers both formats: the structure, the cost, the registration process and the best ways to prepare.
What YÖS and TR-YÖS are — the key differences
YÖS (Öğrenci Seçme Sınavı) is a test that each Turkish university organises on its own for international applicants. The syllabus and difficulty can differ from one university to another.
TR-YÖS is a centralised counterpart introduced by ÖSYM (the Assessment, Selection and Placement Centre). It is a single national exam that lets you submit your result to several universities at once. The first session of 2026 takes place in May — the current dates are published by ÖSYM on the official website.
Both tests examine mathematical skills, logical thinking and analytical abilities. It is on the basis of these results that universities decide on admission.
Structure and number of questions
TR-YÖS:
- 80 questions split into two blocks
- Mathematics — coefficient 0.55 per correct answer
- General ability / logic — coefficient 0.45 per correct answer
- Duration: 100 minutes
- Penalty for mistakes: a wrong answer affects the final score
University YÖS:
- 80–100 questions (depending on the university)
- Blocks: mathematics, logic, general knowledge
- Duration: 90–120 minutes
Cost of sitting YÖS and TR-YÖS
TR-YÖS: the cost is set by ÖSYM and varies depending on the exam centre — roughly 150 to 1,200 Turkish lira. Registration closes several months before the exam — watch the deadlines.
University YÖS: set by each university individually — usually 200 to 1,000 lira. There may be an additional charge for document processing.
Important: these amounts change every year. Check current rates on the official ÖSYM website or on the website of the specific university.
Can YÖS be taken online?
TR-YÖS: in person only, at official examination centres.
University YÖS: some universities allow a remote format. This is convenient for students living outside Turkey. An online exam requires a stable internet connection, a camera and a microphone.
Before registering for the online version, make sure the chosen university accepts such results — not all universities count them.
Which universities accept YÖS and TR-YÖS results
Most state and private universities in Turkey work with both formats. Minimum passing scores vary depending on the specialty.
- Medicine — a high score (check with the university)
- Engineering — a high score
- Computer science — a high score
- Business, humanities — a moderate score
Universities traditionally oriented toward TR-YÖS:
- Istanbul University
- Ankara University
- Hacettepe University
- Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ)
The full list of universities that accept international students and their requirements is available in the Edu Turkish university catalogue.
How to register for the exam
Registration for TR-YÖS
Registration for the university YÖS
Done through the official website of each university. Required documents:
- Passport
- Diploma or school certificate with a notarised translation into Turkish
- Academic transcript (notarised)
- Photograph in the required format
How many times you can sit it
There is no limit on the number of attempts for either TR-YÖS or the university YÖS. The fee has to be paid each time. Advice: do not rush your first attempt — it is better to complete full preparation.
How to prepare for YÖS and TR-YÖS
An effective preparation plan includes:
Regular practice with mock tests builds time-management skills and reduces anxiety before the real exam.
Comparison table YÖS vs TR-YÖS
- Organiser — YÖS: each university individually; TR-YÖS: ÖSYM (state body)
- Number of questions — YÖS: 80–100; TR-YÖS: 80
- Blocks — YÖS: mathematics, logic, general knowledge; TR-YÖS: mathematics + general ability
- Duration — YÖS: 90–120 min.; TR-YÖS: 100 min.
- Format — YÖS: in person / online (at some universities); TR-YÖS: in person only
- Applicability — YÖS: a specific university; TR-YÖS: most universities in Turkey
- Cost — YÖS: 200–1,000 TL; TR-YÖS: 150–1,200 TL
- Number of sessions — YÖS: depends on the university; TR-YÖS: several per year
