LGS 2026 Marathon Begins in Kocaeli; Schedule Changed Due to World Cup

Today, Saturday, June 13, 2026, is one of the most decisive days for eighth-grade students across Turkey, particularly in Kocaeli province. The High School Entrance Exam (LGS) marathon began with an unexpected change in the academic calendar this year. According to local reports, including the "Özgün Kocaeli Gazetesi" newspaper, all necessary measures have been taken to ensure a safe and orderly examination process across the province [4].

Change in Schedule Due to the 2026 World Cup One of the highlights of this year's exam was the change in its date. While the exam was previously scheduled for Sunday, June 14, the Turkish Ministry of National Education (MEB) decided to move the competition forward by one day. The reason for this decision was the overlap of the exam with a critical match of the Turkish national football team against Australia in the 2026 World Cup [2]. Education officials chose Saturday for the exam to avoid traffic congestion and provide a more peaceful environment for students [6].

Exam Details and Participant Statistics in Kocaeli Nationally, approximately 1,022,658 students registered for this exam [3]. In Kocaeli province, thousands of students competed in various examination centers, including the cities of Izmit, Gebze, and Korfez. The exam was conducted in two separate booklets; the first booklet (Humanities section) began at 09:30 and included 50 questions with 75 minutes of time. After a 45-minute break, the second booklet (Mathematics and Science section) was distributed at 11:30, consisting of 40 questions and 80 minutes of response time [1].

Innovation in This Year's Exam: Free Nutrition Packs In 2026, the Ministry of National Education distributed "nutrition packs" to students for the first time. These packs, containing dried fruits, walnuts, and water, were distributed to reduce stress and provide energy for students during the break between the two sessions [7]. This initiative, which was welcomed by families in Kocaeli, is part of the government's new support program to promote the mental health of candidates during major exams.

Strict Rules and Results Calendar Discipline at the examination centers in Kocaeli was very high. According to the "15-minute rule," students who were more than 15 minutes late were not allowed to enter the session [5]. Additionally, carrying any electronic devices, smartwatches, or even jewelry was prohibited [6]. According to the official announcement by the Ministry of Education, students and parents will not have to wait long; the final results of the LGS 2026 exam will be announced on July 10, 2026, via the official MEB website, and the school selection process will begin immediately thereafter [3].