Complete Guide to Turkey's ALES 2026 Registration; Deadline, Fee, and Details

ALES (Academic Personnel and Postgraduate Education Entrance Exam) is one of the most important prerequisites for students planning to pursue Master's and PhD degrees in Turkish universities. According to the official announcement by ÖSYM on June 10, 2026, the registration process for the second session of this year's exam (ALES/2) has begun [1].

Schedule and Registration Deadline According to the announced academic calendar, candidates can register from June 10 to June 18, 2026 (until 23:59) [3]. For those who miss this window, ÖSYM has designated June 25, 2026, as the "Late Registration Day." It is important to note that the late registration fee is typically higher than the regular period [4].

Exam Date Change Due to NATO Summit A crucial point for this year's candidates is the change in the exam schedule. While previously scheduled for late July, the ALES/2 exam date has been moved to August 2, 2026, due to the NATO Summit in Ankara and related security and logistical measures [2]. Results are scheduled to be announced on August 21, 2026 [1].

Registration Fee and Payment Methods The fee for the ALES/2 2026 exam is set at 1200 Turkish Lira [5]. After completing the registration form on the AİS system, candidates must pay this amount via the ÖSYM online payment portal (sanalpos.osym.gov.tr) or through branches of partner banks including Akbank, Halkbank, and İş Bankası [3]. Failure to pay within the specified period will be considered a withdrawal from the exam.

How to Register via the ÖSYM System Registration is conducted entirely electronically through the Candidate Transactions System (AİS). Candidates must log in to ais.osym.gov.tr using their Turkish Identification Number (T.C.) or YU number and password [5]. Uploading a recent passport photo and selecting an exam center are essential steps. International students without a Turkish ID must first create a profile at an ÖSYM registration center [2].

ALES Exam Structure The ALES exam consists of 80 questions (40 mathematics and logic, 40 Turkish reading comprehension), which candidates must answer within 150 minutes [4]. The score is valid for 5 years and is required for admission to most public and private universities in Turkey.