Sudden Changes in YKS 2026 Exam Venues; Serious Warning to Candidates

With only a few days remaining until the start of Turkey's largest academic marathon, the 2026 Higher Education Institutions Exam (YKS), the release of entry card details has triggered widespread reactions. According to published reports, many candidates were surprised by their assigned exam locations, as the selected venues are far from their places of residence [2].

The 2026 Exam Center Change Crisis After the Turkish Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM) activated access to entry cards on June 10, 2026, it became clear that, unlike previous years, many candidates were assigned to centers outside their residential districts [1]. This issue, which received extensive coverage in local media including "Bugün Kocaeli," has led to protests by candidates on social media. Many believe this sudden planning could cause them to arrive late for the exam [2].

Precise YKS 2026 Exam Calendar According to the official announcement by ÖSYM, this year's exam will be held in three stages on June 20 and 21. The exact schedule of the sessions is as follows: - TYT (Basic Proficiency Test): Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 10:15 AM [3]. - AYT (Field Proficiency Test): Sunday, June 21, 2026, at 10:15 AM [1]. - YDT (Foreign Language Test): Sunday, June 21, 2026, at 3:45 PM [3].

The Strict 10:00 AM Rule One of the most important warnings from ÖSYM that candidates must strictly observe is the "15-minute rule." For the morning sessions (TYT and AYT), the doors of the exam centers will be closed exactly at 10:00 AM, after which no candidate will be allowed entry under any circumstances [1]. Given the unexpected changes in venue locations and the possibility of traffic, candidates are advised to be present at the location at least one hour before the doors close [4].

Vital Tips for Exam Day Candidates are required to obtain their entry cards from the AIS system and bring them along with their original photo ID (Turkish National ID card or a valid passport) [1]. Due to reports regarding changes in exam locations, it is strongly recommended that candidates personally check the route to their exam center before the exam day to avoid any timing issues [2].