2026 exam calendar — university, civil service and high school entrance exams
Upcoming Days
KPSS Secondary Education
October 25, 2026 · Sun
About this exam
KPSS Secondary Education is the exam for high school graduates applying for civil service positions. It consists of General Aptitude and General Culture tests.
Application dates
Aug 27 – Sep 8
About this exam
KPSS Associate Degree is the exam for two-year vocational college graduates applying for civil service positions. It consists of General Aptitude and General Culture tests.
Application dates
Jul 29 – Aug 10
About this exam
The Religious Services Field Knowledge Test (DHBT) is required in addition to KPSS for appointments to religious services positions under the Directorate of Religious Affairs, including imam-hatip and Quran course instructor roles.
Application dates
Sep 22 – Sep 30
About this exam
The Foreign Language Proficiency Test (YDS) measures the foreign language level of public servants. It is evaluated alongside KPSS results for overseas assignments and language allowance calculations. The exam is held twice a year.
Application dates
Sep 30 – Oct 8
About this exam
The Academic Personnel and Graduate Education Entrance Exam (ALES) is used for academic staff recruitment and master's/doctoral program admissions. It consists of Verbal and Quantitative sections, is held three times a year, and scores remain valid for 5 years.
Application dates
Oct 7 – Oct 15
About this exam
The National Defense University Military Student Candidate Selection Exam (MSÜ) is for candidates applying to Army, Naval and Air Force Academies and Non-Commissioned Officer Vocational Schools. Final-year high school students wishing to pursue a military university education may apply.
Application dates
Jan 5 – Jan 29
About this exam
The Interuniversity Foreign Language Exam (YÖKDİL) assesses foreign language proficiency for academic title applications and doctoral program admissions. It is the standard exam accepted for academic staff appointments at Turkish universities and is held twice a year.
Application dates
Jan 21 – Jan 29
About this exam
The Foreign Language Proficiency Test (YDS) measures the foreign language level of public servants. It is evaluated alongside KPSS results for overseas assignments and language allowance calculations. The exam is held twice a year.
Application dates
Feb 18 – Feb 26
About this exam
The Primary and Secondary Education Scholarship Exam (İOKBS) is for 2nd–8th grade students seeking a 25% scholarship at MEB-supported state schools. Successful students receive government-funded scholarships to continue their education.
About this exam
The Academic Personnel and Graduate Education Entrance Exam (ALES) is used for academic staff recruitment and master's/doctoral program admissions. It consists of Verbal and Quantitative sections, is held three times a year, and scores remain valid for 5 years.
Application dates
Mar 25 – Apr 2
About this exam
The High School Entrance Exam (LGS) is administered by the Ministry of National Education for 8th-grade students to enter competitive high schools such as Anatolian High Schools, Science High Schools and Social Sciences High Schools. It covers Turkish, Math, Science, History of Reforms, Religious Culture and English.
About this exam
The Basic Proficiency Test (TYT) is the mandatory first step for university entrance. It consists of Turkish, Social Sciences, Basic Mathematics and Science tests and lasts 90 minutes. All YKS candidates must take the TYT; TYT scores form the basis for higher education placement.
Application dates
Feb 6 – Mar 2
About this exam
The Field Proficiency Test (AYT) is the second session held the day after TYT, required for undergraduate program placement. It covers Turkish Language & Literature, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. The Foreign Language Test (YDT) is also held on the same day for candidates applying to foreign language departments.
Application dates
Feb 6 – Mar 2
About this exam
The Vertical Transfer Exam (DGS) enables graduates of vocational colleges and associate degree programs to transfer to related undergraduate programs. Administered once a year by ÖSYM, it consists of Verbal and Quantitative sections.
Application dates
May 15 – Jun 2
About this exam
The Academic Personnel and Graduate Education Entrance Exam (ALES) is used for academic staff recruitment and master's/doctoral program admissions. It consists of Verbal and Quantitative sections, is held three times a year, and scores remain valid for 5 years.
Application dates
Jun 10 – Jun 18
About this exam
The Interuniversity Foreign Language Exam (YÖKDİL) assesses foreign language proficiency for academic title applications and doctoral program admissions. It is the standard exam accepted for academic staff appointments at Turkish universities and is held twice a year.
Application dates
Jun 16 – Jun 24
About this exam
The Public Personnel Selection Exam (KPSS) for bachelor's degree graduates is required for civil service positions. General Aptitude (GY) and General Culture (GK) tests are held on the same day in two sessions; the Field Knowledge Test (ÖABT) is held separately. Central placement and appointments are evaluated together based on KPSS results.
Application dates
Jul 1 – Jul 13
Sessions
KPSS Secondary Education takes place on October 25, 2026 (Sunday).
DHBT (Religious Services) takes place on November 1, 2026 (Sunday).
YDS/2 takes place on November 22, 2026 (Sunday).
ALES/3 takes place on November 29, 2026 (Sunday).
KPSS Associate Degree takes place on October 4, 2026 (Sunday).
KPSS Bachelor (General Ability-Culture) takes place on September 6, 2026 (Sunday).
YÖKDİL/2 takes place on August 9, 2026 (Sunday).
ALES/2 takes place on August 2, 2026 (Sunday).
DGS (Vertical Transfer Exam) takes place on July 19, 2026 (Sunday).
YKS — AYT/YDT (University Entrance, Session 2) takes place on June 21, 2026 (Sunday).
YKS — TYT (University Entrance, Session 1) takes place on June 20, 2026 (Saturday).
LGS (High School Entrance Exam) takes place on June 13, 2026 (Saturday).
ALES/1 (Academic Personnel & Graduate) takes place on May 10, 2026 (Sunday).
İOKBS (Scholarship Exam) takes place on April 26, 2026 (Sunday).
YDS/1 (Foreign Language Proficiency) takes place on April 5, 2026 (Sunday).
YÖKDİL/1 (Academic Foreign Language) takes place on March 8, 2026 (Sunday).
MSÜ Military Student Exam takes place on March 1, 2026 (Sunday).
Official dates for national exams — university entrance, civil service, graduate and high school — are listed here, verified from official sources.
Yes, exam dates may be updated or postponed by the official bodies. Changes are verified against official sources; cancelled or postponed exams are clearly marked.