Student Selection and Placement System facts for kids

The Student Selection and Placement System (Turkish: Öğrenci Seçme ve Yerleştirme Sistemi, ÖSYS) or Higher Education Foundations Examination (Turkish: Yükseköğretim Kurumları Sınavı, YKS) is a big test in Turkey. It helps students get into universities. The test is given by a group called ÖSYM. In the Turkish education system, this exam is the main way to get into a university.

Many high school students take this exam each year. For example, over 1.6 million students took it in 2011. It is a multiple-choice test with five options for each question. Today, it has two main parts: the Core Proficiency Test (TYT) and the Advanced Proficiency Test (AYT).

How the Exam Started and Changed

The first version of this university entrance exam, called ÖSS, began in the late 1960s. Before that, each university had its own way of choosing students. But as more and more young people wanted to go to university, it became too hard for universities to handle all the applications.

So, the universities worked together to create the Higher Education Council. They also formed a special center called ÖSYM. This center was made to manage student selection and placement fairly.

Two Exams: ÖSS and ÖYS (1980–1999)

In 1980, the system changed to have two exams: ÖSS and ÖYS.

• The ÖSS tested knowledge from the ninth grade. If a student didn't get a good enough score on the ÖSS, they couldn't take the second exam.
• The ÖYS tested knowledge from the tenth and eleventh grades. This exam helped place students into the universities they wanted.

This two-exam system continued until 1999. Then, the ÖYS was removed, and it went back to being just one exam, the ÖSS.

The Single ÖSS Exam (1999–2005)

From 1999 to 2005, the ÖSS was a single exam that lasted 180 minutes. It had 180 questions. These questions checked students' thinking skills and their knowledge from high school.

Students had to answer questions from many subjects. These included mathematics, geometry, physics, chemistry, biology, Turkish language, history, geography, and philosophy.

There was also a separate foreign language exam called YDS. It was given a week after the main ÖSS. Students could choose to be tested in English, French, or German.

A student's total score on the ÖSS was made up of two parts. Most of the score came from the test itself. A smaller part came from their high school grades and how well their school had done on the exam before.

ÖSS with Two Parts (2006–2009)

In 2006, the ÖSS changed again. It became a 195-minute exam with two parts: ÖSS 1 and ÖSS 2.

• ÖSS 1 had 120 questions from ninth and tenth-grade topics. Everyone had to answer questions on Turkish, Math, Science, and Social Sciences.
• ÖSS 2 had 120 questions, but students only had to answer 60 of them. The questions depended on what subject area the student wanted to study at university (like science, social sciences, or foreign languages).

YGS-LYS System (2010–2018)

Starting in 2010, the exam system became similar to the old ÖSS-ÖYS system.

• Students first took the Transition to Higher Education Examination (YGS) in March. This exam had 160 questions in 160 minutes. It covered Turkish, math, philosophy, geography, history, religion, biology, physics, and chemistry.
• If students passed the YGS, they could then take the Undergraduate Placement Examination (LYS) in June. The LYS had five different sessions, unlike the old ÖSS which was only held once.

Students who only took the YGS could apply for two-year college programs. Those who took both YGS and LYS could apply for four-year university programs.

TYT - AYT (2018-Present)

Today, the university entrance exam is called the Higher Education Institutions Examination (YKS). It is still managed by ÖSYM.

The YKS has three main parts or sessions:

• First Session: Basic Proficiency Test (TYT). All students who apply for YKS must take this test. It covers:
  • Turkish language (40 questions)
  • Liberal arts (25 questions)
  • Mathematics (40 questions)
  • Science (20 questions)

• Second Session: Field Qualification Tests (AYT). These tests are optional. Students choose which ones to take based on what they want to study. They include:
  • Turkish Language and Literature and Social Sciences I Test (Turkish Language and Literature, History I, Geography I)
  • Social Sciences II Test (History II, Geography II, Philosophy Group)
  • Mathematic Test
  • Science Test

• Third Session: Foreign Language Test (YDT). This test is also optional. It checks students' skills in languages like English, French, German, Russian, or Arabic.

To choose a university program, students need to get a certain score on the TYT. For example, a score of 150 or higher on the TYT lets students choose certain programs. Higher scores on TYT and AYT parts (like science, verbal, or math) allow students to choose more advanced university programs.

Students who want to apply for programs that need a special talent test (like art or music) usually need a TYT score of 180 or higher.

The exam results are usually announced in June. Students then choose their preferred universities by the end of July. They find out which university they got into by the end of August. In Turkey, all schools follow a similar curriculum set by the government. This makes it easier to have one big exam for everyone.

Why Some People Criticize the Exam

Some people have concerns about the university entrance exam. One famous slogan used to criticize the old ÖSS system was "Life = 180 minutes?". This slogan meant that it seemed unfair to decide a student's future based on just a 3-hour multiple-choice test, after 12 years of schooling.

However, the head of the ÖSYM exam board has said that this exam is needed. This is because many more students want to go to university than there are spots available. For example, about 1.6 million students want to go to college, but there are only about 450,000 spots.

Because the school education might not be enough to pass the exam, many students go to private "cram schools" called "dershanes." These schools focus only on preparing students for the university entrance exam. Dershanes often compete to have the student who scores the highest in the country. When the exam results come out, these top-scoring students are often shown on TV and in newspapers.

See also

In Spanish: Sistema de Selección e Implantación de Estudiantes para niños

• Education in Turkey