Change in 2026 Turkey Exam Score Calculation; Cancellation of Controversial Questions

Today, July 17, 2026, Turkish university entrance exam (YKS) candidates were met with significant news at the top of educational media. According to a report by the reputable website Memurlar.Net, the score calculation system for this year's exam has changed due to the cancellation of a question in the mathematics booklet during the second stage of the exam (AYT). This development comes just days before the announcement of final results, as excitement reaches its peak among more than 2.4 million candidates [1].

Cancellation of Math Question 23 and Change in Weight Distribution The issue began after the exam was held in June, when educational experts and candidates protested the structure of question 23 in the mathematics section of the Field Proficiency Test (AYT). Following scientific reviews by the specialized committees of the Turkish Assessment, Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM), it was determined that the question contained structural ambiguity and lacked a single correct answer. According to official ÖSYM regulations, when a question is canceled, its score is not removed but is instead distributed proportionally among the remaining correct questions in the same section [3]. This means that the weighted value of each of the 39 remaining questions in the AYT math section has increased, which could seriously impact the final percentiles of the candidates.

Waiting for the Final Ruling on the Literature Question In addition to the math question, a question in the literature section is also under judicial review. Reports indicate that the relevant court is scheduled to issue its final ruling today, Friday, July 17. Educational analyst Mahmut Özay noted that the assessment center has made all preparations for announcing the results and is only waiting for the final status of this question before pressing the release button [1]. If the literature question is also canceled, it will mark the second major change in score calculation within a single year, which is rare in the history of Turkish exams.

Result Announcement Date and Impact on Rankings According to the official calendar, results were scheduled to be announced on July 22, 2026, but given the acceleration of legal processes, it is likely that results will be published earlier than expected, on July 20 (Monday) [2]. Experts warn that candidates should not rely solely on their raw scores; as questions are canceled and the calculation system changes, "standard deviation" will play a more decisive role. In the new system, candidates who answered more difficult questions correctly will have a better chance of achieving higher rankings due to the redistribution of the canceled question's weight [3].

Final Advice for Candidates and Families Given the moment-to-moment changes in how scores are calculated, candidates are advised to avoid estimating their rank based on unofficial software. Changes in coefficients and question cancellations mean that data from previous years (2024 and 2025) are not accurate benchmarks for this year's predictions. Families should reduce psychological pressure on students during these sensitive days and wait for the final report card, which will include the precise national ranking based on the new formula [1].