International students coming to Turkey are attracted by the country’s leading and quality education system, low tuition fees, universities with international recognition and numerous academic programs. But, students often ask themselves an important question before applying to a Turkish university: Which exams do they need to study in Turkey? 

That will vary from university to university, degree type to degree type and program to program. Some universities may have entrance exams (YÖS, SAT etc.) and others may concentrate on your academic qualifications and your English language proficiency. 

We help and guide students on all steps of the admission process, such as explaining the admission requirements of the universities, preparing for entrance exams, and ensuring students get into the leading universities in Turkey.

Do All Turkish Universities Require an Entrance Exam?

No. Not all Turkish universities have an entrance test.

The requirements for admission will differ based on:

1. This could be a public or private university.
2. Do you have an undergraduate or postgraduate program?
3. Language of instruction
4. Faculty requirements
5. (applicant’s citizenship)

Certain universities accept students on the basis of their academic performance, and others on basis of standardized test scores.

1. YÖS (Foreign Student Examination)

YÖS (Yabancı Uyruklu Öğrenci Sınavı) is among the most frequently used exams to gain admission to a Turkish public university as an international student.

It evaluates student’s academic skills not the content.

What is included in the YÖS Exam?

The test typically covers:

1. Mathematics
2. Logical reasoning
3. Using sound reasoning and logic to solve problems.Logical reasoning and analysis to tackle problems.
4. Basic geometry

The structure may vary from one university to another.

Who Should Take YÖS?

In general, students who wish to apply to undergraduate degree programs in public universities in Turkey are required to have YÖS.

Examples of common fields that use YÖS include:

1. Medicine
2. Dentistry
3. Engineering
4. Architecture
5. Pharmacy
6. Business
7. Social Sciences

Please note that admission policies from different universities are different, so please always check the specific university’s admission policy.

2. SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test)

Many Turkish universities also accept SAT scores instead of YÖS.

The SAT is an internationally recognized standardized examination widely accepted by universities around the world.

SAT Sections

The SAT usually measures:

1. Reading
2. Writing
3. Mathematics

There are universities that will require a minimum SAT score for admission.

Who Should Take the SAT?

The SAT is particularly helpful for students applying to:

1. In Turkey, there are international universities as well.In Turkey there are also international universities.
2. English-medium programs
3. The University of Oxford, Cambridge University, and London Business School are among the universities that accept international admission standards.

High SAT scores can help you gain admission to competitive programs.

3. English Language Proficiency Tests

In some cases, depending on the program, a score in English will be required if an English-taught program is to be chosen.

Typical English language tests are:

1. IELTS
2. TOEFL
3. English proficiency tests at the university level

The minimum score requirements are determined by each university.

In some institutions, there are also English preparatory programs for those who don’t have the necessary language skills

4. Turkish Language Proficiency

It is possible that students enrolled in a Turkish-medium program will be required to demonstrate their Turkish language skills.

Prior to the start of academic courses, some universities may require the students to attend a course of preparation in Turkish.

Also, students become more at ease in communicating with every day people in Turkey if they study Turkish.

5. GRE and GMAT (For Some Postgraduate Programs)

Some Master’s and PhD programs, especially in business, engineering, economics, or research-centric fields may require:

1. GRE (Graduate Record Examination)
2. GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)

These are only required for certain post graduate courses and not all universities.

Familiarize yourself with the requirements of your intended school.

Which Exam Is Best?

The appropriate exam depends entirely on your chosen university and program.

Here is a simple comparison:

Researching your preferred university early will help you prepare for the correct examination.

How to Prepare for These Exams

A lot of good results are achieved through preparation.

Let’s take a look at some helpful hints:

1. Have an understanding of how the exam is structured.
2. Do practice papers with authentic examples.
3. Make a study plan.
4. Develop Mathematics and reasoning for YÖS.
5. Improve English reading and writing skills in preparation for SAT and IELTS.
6. Take mock examinations.

Start preparing well in advance of the test date.

Practice builds confidence and performance.