Return of the Four-Skill Arabic Language Exam by ÖSYM

Bayram Ali Ersoy, President of the Assessment, Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM), announced a new development in the foreign language assessment system in his recent statements, which have been widely reflected in educational media. According to him, the Arabic language exam, which was previously mainly based on written and multiple-choice skills, will now be revived with a comprehensive structure based on the four main skills (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking) [1].

ÖSYM's New Approach to Language Assessment Speaking to the media, including the "Gazete Rize" news agency, Ersoy emphasized that the goal of this move is to raise language assessment standards in the country and align them with international criteria. He noted that the true assessment of candidates' linguistic ability is not possible through multiple-choice questions alone, and there was a strong need for oral and productive language sections [2]. The organization had previously implemented similar projects for the English language and now intends to repeat this experience for Arabic.

Importance of the Four Main Skills in the Arabic Exam The new exam is designed so that candidates must prove their ability in four separate sections. These sections include reading comprehension (Reading), composition (Writing), auditory comprehension (Listening), and verbal skills (Speaking). According to Ersoy, this exam model is of vital importance, especially for those planning to work in academic, diplomatic, and commercial fields, as it measures the ability to communicate live [1][3].

Timing and Implementation of the Exam Although the exact date for the first session of this comprehensive exam has not yet been officially finalized in the annual calendar, Ersoy assured that the technical infrastructure and specialized personnel for conducting the oral and listening sections have been prepared. More details regarding registration procedures and exam centers are expected to be published on the official ÖSYM website in the coming weeks [2]. This move is considered a major step toward the specialization of language certifications in Turkey, which could significantly impact the recruitment process and graduate student admissions.