2026 Turkey Legal Exams Calendar: HMGS and İYÖS Dates

Introduction to New Legal Exams in Turkey Based on new reforms in the Turkish judicial system, law graduates are required to pass the Legal Professions Entrance Exam (HMGS) to enter bar internship programs or participate in judicial and prosecutorial exams. Additionally, the Administrative Judiciary Pre-selection Exam (İYÖS) has been designed for administrative judge candidates. These exams, administered by the Measuring, Selection and Placement Center of Turkey (ÖSYM), ensure academic standards for entering the profession [1].

HMGS and İYÖS Exam Schedule for 2026 According to the latest announcement released in July 2026, the second phase of the HMGS and İYÖS exams for the current calendar year will be held in the autumn season. Candidates who did not achieve a passing score in the first phase (held in April) or those planning to participate for the first time must register within the specified timeframe. According to the official calendar, registrations will begin in late August, and the exam will be held in the second half of September 2026 [2].

How Many Times a Year Are These Exams Held? One of the most frequent questions from candidates is the frequency of these exams throughout the year. According to the resolutions of the Turkish Ministry of Justice, HMGS and İYÖS exams are typically held twice a year (once in spring and once in autumn). This approach allows candidates to try their luck again without losing a full year if they are unsuccessful in the first session [3].

Passing Requirements and Importance for Internship A minimum score of 70 out of 100 is required to pass these exams. Without a passing certificate in HMGS, no law graduate in Turkey can begin their legal internship at the bar associations. This law is mandatory for all students who graduated after the date specified in the Judicial Reform Law. Candidates must demonstrate sufficient mastery of subjects such as administrative law, constitutional law, and philosophy of law, in addition to civil and criminal law knowledge [1][3].

Final Notes for Candidates Given that today is July 3, 2026, candidates should finalize their study plans for the September exam now. Reviewing sample questions from 2024 and 2025 can greatly help in understanding the structure of ÖSYM questions in this field. Additional news regarding capacities and exam centers will be published through the official ÖSYM website.