Related content: TR-YÖS Calculator | TR-YÖS vs Others | Univ Matching | Document Checklist

📅 Update: This content is based on the ÖSYM TR-YÖS 2026 guide + 2025 placement data, as of 2026-05-12. For annual changes, verification at osym.gov.tr is mandatory.

Section 1: Exam General Info (1-7)
Section 2: Registration + Documents (8-13)
Section 3: Score + Placement (14-20)
Section 4: University + Program Selection (21-26)
Section 5: Post-Exam + Graduation (27-30)

Section 1: Exam General Info

1. What is TR-YÖS?

TR-YÖS = Turkey Foreign Student Acceptance Exam (Türkiye Yurt Dışından Öğrenci Kabul Sınavı). Held twice yearly (March + October) by ÖSYM as a foreign student admission exam for Turkish universities. Replaced the old YÖS in 2018 as the single central exam (previously each university held its own YÖS exam).

2. Who is TR-YÖS for?

NON-Turkish citizens + foreigners wanting to study at the bachelor's level at a Turkish university. Turkish citizens (including diaspora) cannot take TR-YÖS — they take the YKS exam.

3. When is TR-YÖS held?

Twice a year:

1st Session: March (usually 2-3rd week Sunday)
2nd Session: October (usually 1-2nd week Sunday)

Candidates can take one or both sessions; the higher score is valid.

4. TR-YÖS exam structure?

Section	Question Count	Content
General Ability	40	Turkish + Quantitative reasoning + Verbal reasoning
Logical Relations	40	Shapes + Thinking + Logic
Total	80	130 minutes

5. Is there penalty for incorrect answers?

NO. There is NO penalty for incorrect answers in TR-YÖS — only correct answers are counted. Therefore, marking all questions is recommended.

6. Where can the exam be taken?

100+ countries outside Turkey + 30+ provinces within Turkey. Candidates choose centers during application (usually own country or nearby). In 2025, test centers in 70+ countries were open.

7. TR-YÖS validity period?

2 years. So with March 2026 score, university applications for 2026, 2027, 2028 can be made.

Section 2: Registration + Documents

8. Where to apply for TR-YÖS?

ÖSYM official: ais.osym.gov.tr. Online application is the sole channel. Candidates create account + enter personal information + choose exam center + pay fee.

9. TR-YÖS registration fee?

2026: 600 TL (within Turkey) — 800 TL (abroad). Payment online (credit card / bank transfer) or via ÖSYM partner bank branch.

10. TR-YÖS application dates?

March session: January application (approximately January 10 - January 25)
October session: July-August application

Late applications not accepted. Official calendar announced by ÖSYM.

11. Documents required for registration?

Passport (valid)
Biometric passport photo (online upload)
Contact info (email + phone + address)
Exam center preferences (3 options)
Payment receipt

12. When are TR-YÖS results announced?

1-1.5 months after exam (April for March; December for October). Results learned via ÖSYM ais.osym.gov.tr + certificate online.

13. TR-YÖS language?

Exam is offered in 7 languages: Turkish, English, Arabic, Russian, French, Spanish, German. Candidates choose language at registration. Turkish-choosing candidates have an advantage (for Turkish high school graduates).

Section 3: Score + Placement

14. How is TR-YÖS scored?

Standard Score formula: number of correct answers × coefficient + standard deviation normalization. Score range: 100-500. Annual average 250-300; 400+ required for medicine + engineering.

15. What is OBP?

OBP = High School Performance Score (high school diploma GPA converted to 100-scale). Affects 12% of placement score. Placement Score = TR-YÖS Standard Score + (OBP × 0.12).

16. Typical score ranges?

Score	Accessible Univ/Program
450+	Boğaziçi/METU Medicine + Bilkent Medicine English
400-450	Hacettepe/Istanbul Medicine + METU/Boğaziçi Engineering
350-400	ITU Engineering + Marmara/Ankara Medicine
300-350	Yıldız Technical Engineering + Ege Medicine + Çukurova Medicine
250-300	Most Anatolian univ medicine + Foundation English
200-250	Most bachelor programs + dentistry + pharmacy
Below 200	Limited choice + MYO (associate degree)

17. What to do if TR-YÖS score is low?

Retake October session same year (renewed preparation)
Retake next year (1 year intensive)
Apply to foundation university (low cutoff + paid but open)
Alternative country option (Poland/Hungary English medicine)
SAT/A-Level/Abitur application to some foundation universities

18. Is TR-YÖS score the same for all universities?

YES, single ÖSYM score. All Turkish universities place students based on this score. Foundation universities may have additional exams but TR-YÖS is standard accepted.

19. Is placement at one university only?

YES. ÖSYM placement system places candidate at the highest preference where seats remain among 15 preferences. Once placed, the candidate cannot look at other preferences (except reserve list).

20. Is there an interview after TR-YÖS?

Most state universities do NOT require interview (score only). Some foundation universities (Bilkent, Sabancı, Koç) may have additional interview or evaluation. Interviews rare for medicine + engineering.

Section 4: University + Program Selection

21. How does TR-YÖS preference selection work?

After results announcement, preference period (July). Enter ÖSYM preference system + 15 universities/programs in order. ÖSYM places (similar system to YKS).

22. Which universities accept TR-YÖS?

All 208 universities in Turkey (state + foundation) accept TR-YÖS scores. Foundation universities may also accept SAT/A-Level/local exam but TR-YÖS is standard.

23. TR-YÖS foreign student quota?

State universities have 5-30 foreign quota per program annually (quotas change yearly, ÖSYM guide). Foundation universities more flexible (50-100 quota).

24. Most popular programs?

Medicine (Turkish / English program)
Computer Engineering
Industrial Engineering
Business Administration
Law
Architecture
Theology (high Arab quota)
Pharmacy
Dentistry
International Relations

25. Turkish vs English program?

Dimension	Turkish Program	English Program
Univ count	Most state	Limited (Boğaziçi/METU/Bilkent/Acıbadem etc.)
Turkish requirement	TYS C1 mandatory (1 year TÖMER)	Not initially required (clinical phase additional)
Cost	Low ($7-15K/year)	Medium-high ($10-35K/year)
Graduation career	Turkey-focused + Turkish bargaining advantage	International + USMLE/Approbation ready

26. Are foundation universities preferred?

Advantages: Modern infrastructure + English program + flexible admission + international accreditation. Disadvantages: $15-35K/year fees. Good option for high-budget candidates (Anastasia-style premium candidate).

Section 5: Post-Exam + Graduation

27. Visa after TR-YÖS?

University acceptance letter + TR-YÖS certificate + other documents → apply at T.R. Consulate for student visa. Process 4-8 weeks. Details: Visa Pillar

28. Turkish preparation period?

If you win a Turkish program + your TYS C1 is insufficient, 1 year TÖMER mandatory preparation. Then university 1st year starts. Turkish preparation generally not required for English programs (except clinical phase).

29. Is TR-YÖS graduate Turkish diploma internationally recognized?

YES. Turkish university diploma recognized via Lausanne + Bologna system. For EU via Directive 2005/36 (3rd country process). For USA via WHO WDOMS + ECFMG. Details: EU Directive

30. Turkish citizenship for TR-YÖS graduates?

5 years legal residence (student period counts) + Turkish proficiency + no criminal record → right to apply for citizenship. Professional + Turkish spouse facilitating.

Bonus: TR-YÖS vs Alternative Exams

Exam	Validity in Turkey
TR-YÖS (ÖSYM)	All Turkish universities (state + foundation)
SAT (US exam)	Some foundation universities
A-Level (UK)	Some foundation universities
Abitur (Germany)	Some foundation universities (Turkish-German Univ active)
IB Diploma	Some foundation universities
Tawjihi (Arab world)	High school equivalency valid + TR-YÖS backup
Local high school (Bagrut/Matura/GAOKAO)	High school equivalency + TR-YÖS backup

Details: TR-YÖS vs Others Comparison

Persona-Based TR-YÖS Strategy

Persona	TR-YÖS Strategy
Aliyev (Azerbaijan)	Turkish exam + ITU Engineering target 400+
Anastasia (Russia)	Russian exam + Bilkent Medicine English target 410+
Ahmed (Egypt)	Arabic exam + Theology target 250+ (YTB primary)
Mohammed (Pakistan)	English exam + Bahçeşehir/Atılım IT target 300+
Ferzaneh (Iran)	Arabic/English exam + Hacettepe Pharmacy target 380+
Selin (Germany diaspora)	Does not take TR-YÖS (T.R. citizen), foreign diploma equivalency

Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes; not an official application guide. ÖSYM TR-YÖS guide + university official pages are main sources. Cutoff scores may change annually; candidates should consider as estimates + verify with ÖSYM for exact info. Last updated: 2026-05-12.

TR-YÖS details: TR-YÖS Calculator | TR-YÖS Comparison | Univ Matching | Document Checklist | Visa FAQ.

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