Revolutionary Decision by ÖSYM; The Dawn of the Digital Exam Era

Today, June 15, 2026, the Turkish educational landscape is buzzing with the new announcement from the country's assessment body (ÖSYM). Bayram Ali Ersoy, the President of this organization, unveiled a new roadmap during a visit to the Esenboğa Electronic Exam Center, which many consider a "digital revolution" in student selection and civil service recruitment processes [1].

Expansion of Digital Infrastructure Across Turkey According to the official announcement by ÖSYM, the ultimate goal is to equip all 81 provinces and prestigious universities in Turkey with Electronic Exam (e-Sınav) centers. Ersoy emphasized that in the near future, candidates will not have to travel to metropolitan areas to participate in specific exams [3]. This plan has started by prioritizing exams with fewer candidates and will gradually include larger assessments. The Esenboğa center in Ankara, with a capacity of 5,000 people, is currently recognized as the largest indoor electronic exam center in the world and will serve as a model for new centers across Turkey's 7 geographical regions [2].

Introducing e-TEP; A Transformation in Language Assessment One of the most significant parts of this revolutionary decision is the introduction and expansion of the e-TEP (Electronic English Proficiency Test). Unlike traditional exams that focused primarily on reading comprehension and grammar, the new digital system allows for the assessment of listening and speaking skills [1]. This move is a major step toward aligning Turkey's educational standards with international benchmarks such as TOEFL and IELTS.

Changes to the 2026 Exam Calendar Alongside these structural developments, ÖSYM reminded that the Higher Education Institutions Examination (YKS) will be held on June 20 and 21, 2026 [3]. Additionally, due to the NATO summit being held in Ankara in early July, some important exams, including ALES/2 and YÖKDİL/2, have been rescheduled to August to prevent any security or traffic interference [4].

Benefits of the New System for Candidates The transition to a digital system not only reduces the costs of printing and distributing paper booklets but also significantly increases exam security. In the new system, questions appear on monitors in encrypted form only at the moment the exam begins, and results will be announced in the shortest possible time (sometimes immediately after the exam) [2]. These changes are part of Turkey's 2030 vision for the full digitalization of government services.