Vital Advice from Mersin Experts for 2026 YKS Candidates

With the Turkish Higher Education Institutions Examination (YKS) scheduled for June 20 and 21, 2026, exam fever in the city of Mersin has reached its peak. Experts from the MERCİ Counseling Center, affiliated with the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality, released a comprehensive statement calling on candidates to maintain their composure and focus on psychological strategies [1][2]. According to the Measuring, Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM), more than 2.5 million candidates will participate in this academic marathon, and managing the final days can make a significant difference in the results.

Anxiety Management: Turning Threats into Opportunities Kerem İraydın, a specialist psychologist at the Mersin Counseling Center, emphasizes that a certain level of anxiety before the exam is not only non-destructive but can also increase focus and improve performance [1]. He believes candidates should not view anxiety as a negative feeling to be completely eliminated, but rather as a natural part of the success process. İraydın recommends that in the final week, students should avoid negative thoughts and failure scenarios, focusing instead on the efforts they have made so far [3].

One suggested technique for moments of intrusive thoughts is the "5-4-3" technique. In this method, the candidate identifies 5 things they see, 4 things they touch, and 3 sounds they hear to bring the mind back from the future (worry) to the present moment [7].

Diet and Sleep: Vital Pillars of Concentration Health and academic experts, including Professor Adem Aslan, warn that dietary habits in the final days have a direct impact on short-term memory [4]. Consuming fast food, carbonated drinks, and substances containing Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) can disrupt the retrieval of information stored in the brain. It is recommended that candidates consume organic proteins, olive oil, and complex carbohydrates.

Regarding sleep patterns, stabilizing the wake-up time is crucial. Candidates must synchronize their bodies with the exam start time (10:15 AM). The best time for brain cell regeneration and melatonin secretion is sleeping between 10 PM and 5 AM [4].

Technical Strategies and Time Management during the Session At this stage, Mersin experts suggest that candidates focus on analyzing mistakes in mock exams rather than studying new material, which may cause confusion [2]. Time management during the exam session is also key; candidates should not get into a "stubborn struggle" with difficult questions. Using the "Turlama" (cycling) technique—skipping time-consuming questions and returning to them at the end of the exam—can prevent time wastage and increased stress [7].

The Role of Families in Candidate Composure Families in Mersin play a decisive role in reducing psychological pressure. Yelet Pamir, a clinical psychologist, warns that parents must be careful not to transfer their own anxiety to their children [3]. Creating a calm environment at home, avoiding comparisons with others, and reassuring the child that their human value is not dependent on the result of this exam are among the most important duties of parents during these days [7].