TYT Social Sciences: History, Geography, Philosophy and Religion Topics

TYT social sciences is easy to leave until last, yet it counts in every YKS score. The test (Sosyal Bilimler) has 20 questions: 5 in history, 5 in geography, 5 in philosophy and 5 in religious culture (Din Kültürü). Some students answer 5 extra philosophy questions instead of the religion block. This guide covers the official units, the exemption rule, the 2026 paper and a practical study order.

Why TYT social sciences matter in your score

In the TYT score, social sciences carry a weight of 17, the same as science. Turkish and basic maths carry 33 each. Because TYT makes up 40% of every SAY, EA, SÖZ and DİL score, these 20 questions help every student. They also count for two-year önlisans programs, which use the TYT score alone.

For EA and SÖZ students, the same subjects come back in AYT. EA uses AYT history-1 and geography-1, while SÖZ adds history-2, geography-2, philosophy and religion. SAY students should also read our guide to TYT science topics.

How the social sciences booklet works

In ÖSYM’s 2026 booklet, the social sciences test had 25 questions, not 20. History came first (questions 1–5), then geography (6–10), philosophy (11–15), religious culture (16–20) and extra philosophy (21–25). Most candidates answer questions 1–20. However, candidates exempt from religious culture answer 1–15 and then 21–25 instead of 16–20. ÖSYM does not score answers marked in the wrong block, so know your option before the exam.

Who answers the extra philosophy questions?

The 2026 YKS guide sets the rule. A student is exempt if Din Kültürü ve Ahlak Bilgisi was not compulsory for them at secondary school, or if they took it under a different curriculum. İmam Hatip students and graduates are never exempt. Candidates choose option (1) or (2) on the application, and ÖSYM may check the choice against MEB’s e-Okul records. In 2026, candidates could still update it in ÖSYM’s AİS system until 23 March.

What about foreign students? We cannot give one rule here, because exemption depends on each student’s own school records. So check your e-Okul record with your school, and read the current ÖSYM guide before you choose. The same rule also exists in AYT, where exempt candidates answer 6 extra philosophy-group questions instead of the religion questions.

TYT social sciences topics by subject

MEB’s list of outcomes for the 2026 exams is the official topic list. It follows the school grades, and it does not say which units belong to TYT.

History

The 9th-grade units run from the first ages of humanity and the medieval world to the birth of Islamic civilisation and the first Turkish-Islamic states. Then 10th grade covers Seljuk Türkiye and the Ottoman state from 1302 to 1595. After that, 11th grade continues from 1595 to the 20th century. In addition, İnkılap Tarihi ve Atatürkçülük is a separate subject. It runs from the late Ottoman period through the War of Independence and Atatürk’s reforms to the 21st century.

Geography

Geography has the same four units at every grade from 9th to 12th: natural systems, human systems, the global environment (regions and countries), and environment and society.

Philosophy

In 10th grade, the units introduce philosophy, thinking with philosophy, its basic topics and problems, and philosophical reading and writing. Then 11th grade teaches the history of philosophy in five periods, from the 6th century BC to the 20th century.

Religious culture

The 9th-grade units are knowledge and belief, religion and Islam, Islam and worship, youth and values, and “Gönül Coğrafyamız”. Next, 10th grade adds God and humans, the Prophet Muhammad and youth, religion and life, moral attitudes, and interpretations in Islamic thought. MEB’s list also has 11th- and 12th-grade units.

TYT social sciences in the 2026 paper

We read the 2026 TYT booklet question by question. This is our own reading, not an official breakdown.

• History: questions 1 and 2 came from 9th grade (steppe culture and Turkish-Islamic states), and question 3 from 10th grade (the Ottoman vakıf, a charitable foundation). Questions 4 and 5 were İnkılap Tarihi: Mustafa Kemal’s Havza statement and the 1921 constitution (Teşkilât-ı Esasiye).
• Geography: the questions covered climate, volcanic landforms, population, regions and disaster management.
• Philosophy: the questions included the history of philosophy, from the Milesians and Heraclitus to Aquinas, Descartes, Rousseau and Bergson, and also phenomenology.

So TYT social sciences is not limited to 9th- and 10th-grade topics. In 2026, the history and philosophy questions also used topics taught in 11th and 12th grade. TYT science, by contrast, stayed within 9th- and 10th-grade units.

A practical study order for TYT social sciences

1. Settle your option early. Find out whether you will answer religious culture or the extra philosophy block.
2. Build history as a timeline. Start with the 9th- and 10th-grade units, then add İnkılap Tarihi, which gave two questions in 2026.
3. Study geography with maps. Begin with climate and landforms, then move to population, regions and disasters.
4. Learn philosophy in two steps. First, cover the basic topics and problems; then work through the history of philosophy period by period.
5. Cover religious culture steadily. Revise one unit each week, or more philosophy if you are exempt.
6. Practise with real papers. ÖSYM’s past papers page has every TYT booklet and answer key since 2018.

TYT social sciences: tips for Arab and international students

• Learn the key Turkish terms. Words such as “inkılap” (reform), “antlaşma” (treaty), “iklim” (climate), “nüfus” (population), “afet” (disaster) and “ahlak” (ethics) help you read faster.
• Read every word of the question. Small words such as “yalnızca” (only) or “değildir” (is not) can change the right answer.
• Keep a list of philosophers. Note each thinker’s period and main idea, then review it weekly.
• Do not skip this test. With a weight of 17, these nets lift your TYT score in every track.

How ILEAP Academy helps with TYT social sciences

ILEAP Academy is one of the first Arabic centers in Istanbul specialised in YKS. We start with a level test, so each student sees which subjects cost the most nets. Teachers explain the topics in Arabic and train the Turkish of the exam, which matters a lot here. In addition, timed practice exams show your nets in each subject, so you can follow your progress. We have three centers in Istanbul, and the same program also runs online. Discover ILEAP Academy to book a level test, and read our complete YKS exam guide.

Frequently asked questions

How many questions are in TYT social sciences?

Every candidate answers 20 questions, 5 per subject. The booklet has 25, because it also holds 5 extra philosophy questions for exempt candidates.

Can foreign students answer philosophy instead of religion?

Only if they meet ÖSYM’s exemption conditions, and that depends on their own school records. Check your e-Okul record with your school and the current ÖSYM guide before you choose.

Is TYT social sciences only about 9th- and 10th-grade topics?

No. In the 2026 paper, two history questions came from İnkılap Tarihi, and the philosophy questions included the history of philosophy. Both come after 10th grade in MEB’s list.