Official 2026 Turkey LGS Exam Report: 994,000 Students Compete for High School Entry

The Ministry of National Education of Turkey (MEB) has released the final evaluation report for the High School Entrance Exam (LGS) for the year 2026. This report, which provides a detailed analysis of student performance in one of the most decisive exams of their academic careers, shows that 994,000 students participated in this academic competition this year [1]. These statistics, reflected by local media including "Son Kale İzmir," indicate a high participation rate among eligible students across the country.

Statistical Details and Candidate Participation Rates According to official data, the vast majority of students who graduated from the eighth grade participated in the LGS exam. The Ministry of Education report indicates that the examination process was conducted with high organization across all provinces of Turkey [2]. The figure of 994,000 participants in 2026, while showing a slight decrease compared to some high-population years in the past, still represents intense competition for seats in top Science High Schools (Fen Liseleri) and Anatolian High Schools [3].

Performance Analysis in Various Subjects A significant portion of the 2026 LGS report is dedicated to average scores in core subjects. Based on statistical analysis, students maintained relatively stable performance in Turkish and Science. However, Mathematics continues to be recognized as the most challenging section of the exam, playing the most significant role in the final ranking of candidates [1]. Education experts believe that conceptual and problem-solving skill-based questions were the primary factor in score differentiation for this subject.

Gender Distribution and Academic Success One of the highlights of this year's report is the continued relative superiority of female students in overall average scores. Data shows that subjects such as Turkish and foreign languages saw greater success from girls, while in technical subjects and mathematics, the competition between the two genders was reported to be very close [2]. The report also addressed the geographical distribution of success, with cities like Izmir, Ankara, and Istanbul continuing to hold the highest pass rates for elite schools [1].

Next Step: School Selection and Capacities With the release of this report and the clarification of scores, the critical school selection (Tercih) phase begins. The Ministry of National Education announced that the capacity of schools for gifted students and project schools for the new academic year has been adjusted in proportion to the number of participants to ensure educational equity [3]. Families and students must now make decisions about their academic futures based on this report and their percentile rankings.