STS Medicine 2026: Complete 30 Q&A FAQ Pillar (Foreign Medical Graduate)

Related content: STS Medicine Hub | STS Duration | Syrian Physician | WHO WDOMS

Table of Contents

• Section 1: STS Medicine General (1-6)
• Section 2: Application Process (7-13)
• Section 3: Exam Structure + Curriculum (14-20)
• Section 4: Preparation + Study (21-25)
• Section 5: Post-Exam + Assignment (26-30)

Section 1: STS Medicine General

1. What is STS Medicine?

STS Medicine = Medical Doctorate Level Determination Exam (Tıp Doktorluğu Seviye Tespit Sınavı). The exam administered by the YÖK Equivalency Commission for foreign medical graduate physicians to practice medicine in Turkey. Held by Anadolu University on behalf of YÖK. Active since 2014 (replaced old "Equivalency Exam").

2. For whom is STS Medicine mandatory?

Per YÖK Equivalency Commission decision:

• Foreign medical school graduates (Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, Germany, etc.)
• Full curriculum mismatch decision (~80% of cases)
• Turkish citizens + foreign nationals equal (based on equivalency decision)
• Refugees / temporary protection (Syrian, Ukrainian, etc.) have some flexibility

3. When is STS Medicine?

Twice yearly:

• Session 1: March (usually 3-4th week Sunday)
• Session 2: September (3-4th week Sunday)

4. STS Medicine fee?

2026: ~3,000 TL (within Turkey) — ~5,000 TL (abroad). Collected by Anadolu University. Online payment or bank.

5. Is STS Medicine confused with YDUS/TUS?

NO — different exams:

• STS Medicine: EQUIVALENCY exam for foreign medical graduates
• TUS: Specialty exam for Turkish medical graduates
• YDUS: Subspecialty exam after TUS specialty

6. Is STS Medicine internationally recognized?

STS Medicine is Turkey-specific. Similar processes in other countries: USMLE (USA), PLAB (UK), Approbation (Germany), SCFHS (Saudi Arabia), DHA (UAE). After STS Medicine and Turkish diploma, additional process required for international recognition.

Section 2: Application Process

7. Who should take STS Medicine?

After YÖK Equivalency Commission decision — candidate's entry into the process is automatic. Foreign diploma equivalency application is made + commission gives either full recognition (rare), STS Medicine requirement (common), supplementary education (partial), or rejection (rare).

8. How to apply for YÖK equivalency?

Online application: denklik.yok.gov.tr. Documents:

• Passport
• Medical diploma (apostille + Turkish translation)
• Transcript (apostille + Turkish)
• Detailed curriculum (hourly) — critical
• Service certificate (if any practical experience)
• WHO WDOMS registration proof
• Notarized passport copy

9. Equivalency commission timeline?

6-18 months (complex cases up to 2 years). 4 possible decisions:

• Full equivalency: Direct Turkish physician rights (rare)
• STS Medicine requirement: Equivalency after passing exam
• Supplementary education: 2-4 semesters at Turkish medical faculty
• Rejection: Curriculum too lacking (rare)

10. How to apply for STS Medicine?

After YÖK equivalency decision + STS Medicine requirement, register at Anadolu University: anadolu.edu.tr/sts. Online application + fee payment + exam center selection.

11. STS Medicine application dates?

• March session: January application (usually January 5-25)
• September session: July application

12. Diploma from non-apostille country?

3-layer attestation process:

• Local Ministry of Education/Justice attestation
• Local Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Turkish Consulate

Duration: 8-12 weeks. Refugee situation (Syria/Afghanistan) UNHCR-coordinated alternative document process possible.

13. Is STS Medicine special for refugee candidates?

Some flexibility within Syria + Ukraine temporary arrangements (alternative documents, additional time, more flexible evaluation). Ministry of Health + UNHCR coordinated process. Details: Syrian Physician Pillar

Section 3: Exam Structure + Curriculum

14. STS Medicine exam structure?

Dimension	Detail
Question count	120
Duration	150 minutes
Type	Multiple choice (5 options)
Penalty for wrong	NO (only correct answers counted)
Passing score	60 (50% correct)
Exam language	Turkish (TYS C1 recommended)

15. STS Medicine topics?

• Basic Sciences (~30%): Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pathology, Pharmacology
• Clinical Sciences (~55%): Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics-Gynecology, Public Health, Emergency Medicine
• Turkish Health System (~10%): SGK + Ministry of Health + health services
• Medical Ethics + Law (~5%): Turkish physician rights + responsibilities

16. Where to find STS Medicine curriculum details?

Anadolu University STS Medicine guide (annually updated) + sample questions: anadolu.edu.tr/sts/tip. Open question bank + 5-year past exam archive.

17. Is Turkish insufficiency a problem in STS Medicine?

YES — exam in Turkish and clinical cases in Turkish terms. Medical Turkish (clinical terms + drug names + Turkish health system) requires 6-12 months additional preparation. Taking STS Medicine before TYS C1 is risky.

18. Turkish clinical guidelines?

• TKD (Turkish Cardiology Society) guidelines
• TPK (Turkish Pediatric Institute)
• TUSAB (Turkey Public Health Authority)
• Ministry of Health Treatment Guidelines
• These differ from international guidelines (ESC/AHA/WHO); STS responsibility is Turkish guidelines

19. STS Medicine certificate validity?

After passing STS Medicine, YÖK equivalency approval + Turkish Medical Diploma Equivalency Certificate. Lifetime valid (equivalency decision is final).

20. STS Medicine scoring?

Standard score 0-100. Passing: 60. High score (80+) = evidence of clinical quality, advantage in assignment preference.

Section 4: Preparation + Study

21. STS Medicine preparation duration?

Details: STS Duration Calculator

• Poland/Hungary graduate + good Turkish: 6-9 months
• Syrian/Iraqi + medium Turkish: 12-15 months
• Part-time worker: 18-24 months

22. Resource recommendations?

• Anadolu University STS Medicine guide (official)
• Turkish publisher STS Medicine book sets (Pelikan, Tıp Akademi)
• Online platforms (Anadolu University own platform)
• Turkish clinical guidelines (TKD/TPK/Ministry of Health)
• Harrison's Internal Medicine (Turkish version)
• Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics
• Schwartz's Principles of Surgery

23. Is STS Medicine coaching necessary?

NOT mandatory but accelerates. Rehber Panda STS Medicine coaching packages:

• Bronze (6,000 TL): 6-month guidance + resource recommendations
• Silver (10,000 TL): 6 months + Turkish support + sample exams
• Gold (14,000 TL): 12 months + 1-on-1 expert + complete package

Details: STS Medicine Hub

24. Can I prepare for STS Medicine while working?

YES — part-time process 1.5-2x duration (12-24 months). For refugee physicians, contracted health worker + parallel preparation is a common strategy.

25. STS Medicine success rate?

Anadolu University doesn't disclose exact rate but estimated 30-50% on first attempt. Second attempt rises to 50-70% (after gaps are filled).

Section 5: Post-Exam + Assignment

26. What happens after passing STS Medicine?

YÖK Equivalency Commission issues Turkish Medical Diploma Equivalency Certificate. Candidate gains Turkish physician rights:

• Ministry of Health registration
• TBB (Turkish Medical Association) registration
• Medical practice license
• Job application (public or private)

27. STS Medicine + mandatory service?

• Turkish citizen new Turkish physician: 1-2 year mandatory state regional service
• Foreign national post-STS: NO mandatory service; contracted state or private sector choice
• Syrian temporary protection: Ministry of Health contracted employment (Hatay/Şanlıurfa/Gaziantep intensive)

28. Can I take TUS after STS Medicine?

YES. Post-STS Turkish physician rights + TUS exam entry. Foreign national quota + Turkish citizen quota (if citizenship). Details: Foreign National TUS

29. STS Medicine + international career?

STS Medicine + Turkish diploma = basis for WHO WDOMS + ECFMG. Additional processes:

• US USMLE Step 1+2+3 (preparation + exam center in Turkey)
• UK PLAB
• Germany Approbation
• Saudi SCFHS

Turkish diploma serves as a bridge.

30. What if I fail STS Medicine on 1st attempt?

Re-enter 2nd session. Intensify weak topics + additional 3-6 months preparation. Number of STS Medicine attempts unlimited (with payment + application).

Bonus: STS Medicine Common Issues

Diploma approval rejected?

Right to appeal YÖK decision within 60 days + administrative court route. Qualified attorney consultation.

Supplementary education or STS Medicine?

Commission decides. Supplementary education is 2-4 semesters additional medical courses (at Turkish medical faculty). STS Medicine is a single exam. STS generally faster.

Non-apostille + war-affected country?

Syria (post-2011), Afghanistan (post-2021), Yemen, Libya — UNHCR-coordinated alternative document process. Ministry of Health additional flexibility.

Insufficient clinical period?

Some foreign medical faculties have insufficient clinical internships (compared to Turkish standard). Commission may decide on supplementary education requirement.

Persona-Based STS Medicine Strategy

Persona	STS Medicine Strategy
Poland medical graduate (Turkish citizen)	8-10 months preparation + STS Medicine + TUS subspecialty
Omar (Syrian refugee)	Lateral transfer + supplementary (STS backup)
Khalid (Saudi premium)	STS Medicine + Istanbul private hospital specialist
Germany diaspora	Approbation + Turkey STS backup
Iranian physician	3-layer attestation + Turkish + STS Medicine

Disclaimer

This content is for informational + AEO-optimized FAQ purposes; NOT a medical treatment recommendation. STS Medicine + YÖK equivalency rules may change annually; official: anadolu.edu.tr/sts + denklik.yok.gov.tr. For individual application, qualified consultant + medical reviewer-approved coaching recommended. Last updated: 2026-05-12. Medical reviewer: Foreign Medical Graduate Physician (anonymous).

More

STS Medicine details: STS Medicine Hub | STS Duration | Syrian Physician | WHO WDOMS | TUS Branch.