ID Card Crisis in Turkey's 2026 University Entrance Exam; Candidate Faints Before Test

The administration of Turkey's national university entrance exam, known as YKS, is always accompanied by significant controversy and stress. However, in the 2026 exam, an incident occurred in the city of Samsun that once again brought the debate over strict entry rules and student mental health to the headlines. According to reports published by media outlets such as MSN and Habertürk, a young candidate lost the chance to participate in this life-changing competition due to an identity card crisis [1][2].

Details of the Incident at 19 Mayıs Anadolu Lisesi The incident took place in front of the entrance of the 19 Mayıs Anadolu Lisesi in the İlkadım district of Samsun. A candidate identified by the initials A.G., who arrived at the center to take the first stage of the exam (TYT), realized upon entry that they did not have their national ID card. Initially intending to enter with a driver's license, the student suddenly realized they had also lost the license on the way to the school [2][3]. This chain of unfortunate events and the fear of losing a year of effort caused the student to suffer a panic attack and faint in front of other candidates and parents.

Unsuccessful Family Effort and Medical Intervention As soon as the incident occurred, medical teams stationed at the site quickly intervened. While the medical staff were resuscitating the candidate, the family managed to deliver the national ID card to the center just 5 minutes before the exam started. However, due to the severe physical condition and lack of full consciousness, the student was not in a fit state to sit for the exam [1]. By decision of the emergency teams, the student was transported by ambulance to the Gazi State Hospital for intensive care. Thus, despite the identification document arriving at the last moment, the doors of the examination center remained closed to them [3].

Strict ÖSYM Rules and Constant Challenges The Measuring, Selection and Placement Center of Turkey (ÖSYM) has very strict rules for candidate identification. According to these rules, only a valid national ID card or a valid passport is accepted for entry, and in many cases, a driver's license is not recognized as an official identification document for the exam [4]. This incident once again demonstrated that even the smallest oversight in carrying documents can cost a student years of effort. Educational experts believe that excessive psychological pressure on teenagers in the days leading up to the exam is a major factor in such critical forgetfulness and severe physical reactions.

Necessity of Reviewing Emergency Protocols The occurrence of such incidents in the 2026 Turkish university entrance exam has sparked a wave of criticism on social media. Many users and parents believe that a more flexible mechanism should be considered for candidates who face document issues at the last minute. Although police and municipal forces in many cities like Istanbul and Gaziantep helped candidates reach their centers, the specific case in Samsun showed that stress can cause serious damage to students' physical health beyond a simple delay [5].