With the conclusion of the YKS 2026 exams, candidates are now in the critical phase of program selection. Experts warn that relying solely on raw scores instead of rankings is the biggest mistake that could jeopardize students' academic futures.
After the grueling marathon of the Turkish university entrance exams (YKS) held on June 20 and 21, 2026, more than 2.5 million candidates are now waiting for the final results to be announced on July 22 [2]. Meanwhile, the Posta newspaper, in a special report, examined common mistakes made by candidates and published warnings from education experts regarding the selection process [1].
Why is Rank More Important Than Score? Many candidates and families mistakenly believe that the raw score (Puan) is the primary criterion for admission to a specific program. However, education experts, including Dr. Elgiz, emphasize that the difficulty or ease of the exam each year causes scores to fluctuate, but what remains constant is the candidate's position relative to others, known as the "Rank" (Sıralama) [1]. For example, a score of 450 in 2025 might yield a rank of 5,000, but in 2026, due to easier questions, the same score might result in a rank of 8,000. Therefore, candidates must organize their list of 24 choices based on the rankings of previous years [3].
Strategy for Arranging the 24 Golden Choices In the Turkish selection system, candidates have the right to choose 24 programs/universities. Experts recommend that this list should not be filled randomly. The suggested strategy is as follows: - Dream Choices: The first 5 choices should include programs where the required rank is slightly higher than the candidate's rank [2]. - Realistic Choices: The middle 10 choices should exactly match the candidate's rank. - Safe Choices: The final choices should include programs where the candidate's rank is significantly better than last year's last admitted student to ensure definitive admission [3].
Expert Warnings About the Job Market Another key point emphasized in recent reports is not focusing solely on the university's name. Experts believe candidates should not choose a program they are not interested in or one with a weak job market just to enter a famous university [1]. Reviewing capacities, university facilities, and the alignment of the program with individual capabilities is more essential than anything else for candidates. It is also recommended that candidates carefully study the 2026 selection guide published by ÖSYM to become aware of the specific conditions of each program [2].
Timeline and Next Steps According to the 2026 academic calendar, official results will be announced on July 22, and the selection process will follow immediately, likely continuing from July 25 to August 2 [2]. Candidates should use this golden opportunity to research universities and consult with experienced advisors, and they should not leave the final submission of their choices to the last hours to avoid system traffic [3].
Education experts emphasize the importance of national rank over raw scores in the YKS 2026 selection.
linkSources
- Üniversite tercihinde bu hataya düşmeyin! Uzmanından YKS tercih uyarısı: 'Puana bakarak karar vermeyin' — Posta (2026-06-30)
- YKS tercihleri ne zaman yapılacak? Üniversite sınav sonuçları sonrası gözler tercih takvimine çevrilecek — Hürriyet (2026-06-25)
- Tercihini iyi yapan YKS'yi kazanacak! İşte uzmanından stratejik tavsiyeler — TGRT Haber (2026-06-23)
