New Date for ALES 2 Exam 2026; Why Was the Exam Postponed?

The Academic Personnel and Postgraduate Education Entrance Exam, abbreviated as ALES, is one of the most critical steps for students planning to pursue master's and doctoral degrees or to be employed as academic staff at Turkish universities. According to the latest announcements released by the Turkish Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM), the second stage of this exam in 2026 has undergone a scheduling change [1].

Change in ALES 2 Scheduling by ÖSYM According to the initial calendar announced in late 2025, the ALES/2 exam was scheduled to be held on July 26, 2026. However, in a new review conducted by the ÖSYM Executive Board, this date was moved to one week later. Candidates must now prepare to participate in this academic competition on Sunday, August 2, 2026 [2]. This change affects not only the exam date but also a chain of subsequent processes, including the result announcement date and university registration deadlines.

Main Reason for Postponement: NATO Summit in Ankara Many candidates wondered why a national exam of such importance was postponed. Official reports indicate that the NATO Summit held in Ankara in early July 2026 was the primary reason for this shift [3]. Due to strict security measures in the capital and the allocation of logistical resources and police forces to ensure the safety of diplomatic delegations, ÖSYM decided to adjust the July exam calendar to prevent any disruption in candidate transportation and maintain exam standards. This decision was also made to avoid overlap with other national exams such as MEB-AGS [4].

New Calendar; Exam Time and Result Announcement The ALES/2 exam will begin at its new date, August 2, 2026, at exactly 10:15 AM. Candidates should note that according to strict ÖSYM regulations, the doors to exam centers close at 10:00 AM, and entry will not be possible under any circumstances after that time [3]. The duration for answering questions is 150 minutes. Furthermore, based on the updated timeline, the final results of this exam will be announced on August 21, 2026, through the official ÖSYM results system [1].

Important Notes for Candidates on Exam Day Since entry documents will be issued based on the new date, candidates are required to obtain their new cards by visiting the AİS (Aday İşlemleri Sistemi) portal. It is mandatory to carry a valid ID and a printed copy of the entry document. It is also recommended that candidates arrive at the exam center at least one hour before the doors close, considering potential traffic changes in major cities [2]. The score obtained in this exam will be valid for 5 years and is accepted by all state and private universities in Turkey.