Guide to 2026 Turkish University Entrance Exam (YKS) Base Scores and Rankings

YKS 2026 Status and Result Announcement Dates The Higher Education Institutions Exam (YKS) in 2026 was held on June 20 and 21, with millions of candidates participating in three stages: TYT, AYT, and YDT [1]. According to the official calendar released by the Student Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM), the evaluation process of answer sheets began immediately, and final results will be announced on July 22, 2026 [3]. Candidates can view their final report cards, including raw scores and national rankings, on the AİS system using their national ID number and password.

Differences in Base Scores for 2-Year and 4-Year Programs In the Turkish education system, university admission is divided into two main categories. 2-year or Associate degree programs (Ön Lisans) primarily admit students based on the TYT exam score, while 4-year or Bachelor's degree programs (Lisans) require meeting thresholds in the specialized AYT or YDT exams [2].

Since the 2026 base scores (Taban Puanları) are only determined after the completion of the preference and final placement process, candidates are currently using 2025 data as a reference. Popular fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and Physiotherapy at the associate level, and Medicine, Dentistry, and Law at the bachelor's level, continue to command the highest base scores [1][2].

Why Success Ranking is More Important Than Raw Score Educational experts emphasize that candidates should not focus solely on the raw score (Puan). The "Success Ranking" (Başarı Sıralaması) is a much more accurate criterion for program selection because scores may change each year depending on the difficulty or ease of the questions, while rankings remain more stable [1]. For example, a score of 400 in 2025 might result in a different ranking than the same score in 2026. Therefore, a detailed analysis of previous years' admission ranks in universities in major cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir is vital for a successful preference process.

Preparing for the Preference Process After the results are announced on July 22, the preference marathon will begin. Candidates have the right to choose a maximum of 24 programs/locations [2]. At this stage, in addition to base scores, it is essential to pay attention to university quotas (Kontenjan) set by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK). It is recommended that candidates organize their lists to include a combination of ideal, probable, and safe choices to maximize their chances of admission to public or private universities in Turkey [3].