With the conclusion of the YKS and LGS exam marathon in June 2026, educational experts warn that the main problem for students is not the difficulty level of the questions, but the exaggerated meaning that families and society have assigned to these exams.
The 2026 Educational Marathon in Turkey
Today, June 14, 2026, with the final stages of the Higher Education Institutions Exam (YKS) taking place, one of the most sensitive educational periods for millions of students in Turkey has come to an end. Previously, the High School Entrance Exam (LGS) was held at the beginning of the month. However, beyond the numbers and rankings, the issue that has garnered more attention than ever this year is the crushing psychological pressure weighing on teenagers [2].
The Main Problem: The Meaning Loaded onto the Exam
According to an analysis published by the "Batman Çağdaş" newspaper, the root cause of anxiety in the YKS and LGS exams is not the structure of the exam itself, but the "meaning" attached to it [1]. For many Turkish families, these exams are not just an academic stage, but are viewed as the only way to guarantee their children's future, social status, and even existential worth. This perspective has led to exam failure being interpreted as failure in life as a whole, which has devastating consequences for the mental health of the younger generation.
The Role of Families and Social Expectations
Educational experts believe that the anxiety transmitted by parents is far more toxic than the stress of the exam session itself. In recent days, as the announcement of LGS results approaches, psychologists have emphasized that families must distinguish between "student effort" and "exam results" [3]. The pressure to achieve perfect scores in a highly competitive system has caused many students to suffer from early academic burnout.
The Need for a Change in Approach in the Educational System
As millions of candidates await the announcement of results in the coming weeks, debates about the need for structural reforms in how talent is assessed have resurfaced. Critics believe that as long as success is viewed solely through the lens of a multiple-choice test, the crisis of meaning and the resulting stress will persist [1]. The Turkish educational community now understands more than ever that children's intelligence and capabilities cannot be summarized in just a few hours of intense competition. To overcome this crisis, shifting society's view from "exam-oriented" to "skill-oriented" is an undeniable necessity.
The end of the YKS 2026 marathon; students and families awaiting results that are considered life-defining.
linkSources
- YKS ve LGS'de asıl sorun sınava yüklenen anlam — Batman Çağdaş (2026-06-12)
- YKS 2026 maratonu tamamlandı: Adaylar ve uzmanlar ne diyor? — Anadolu Ajansı (2026-06-14)
- LGS sonuçları öncesi ailelere psikolojik destek uyarıları — Milliyet (2026-06-09)
