AYT Science Topics: Physics, Chemistry and Biology for SAY Students

AYT science topics are the core of the SAY track, the score type for medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, engineering and architecture. The AYT science test (Fen Bilimleri) has 40 questions: 14 in physics, 13 in chemistry and 13 in biology. Each subject carries a weight of 10 in the SAY score, so science together weighs as much as AYT maths. In this guide, we list the official units, explain what analyses of earlier papers show and give a practical study order.

Why AYT science matters for SAY

The SAY score combines TYT (40), AYT maths (30), and physics, chemistry and biology (10 each). AYT science counts only in SAY, so EA and SÖZ students do not need it. To get a SAY score at all, you need the TYT condition plus 0.5 net in one SAY test.

SAY also leads to the most competitive programs. In 2026, the minimum rankings were the top 50,000 for medicine, the top 80,000 for dentistry and the top 100,000 for pharmacy. Architecture needed the top 250,000, and engineering the top 300,000. So a few extra nets in science can move you across one of these lines.

Where the official AYT science topics come from

The 2026 YKS guide makes candidates responsible for MEB’s list of outcomes for the 2026 exams. The list follows each subject from 9th to 12th grade, but it does not split topics between TYT and AYT. In practice, AYT science builds mainly on 11th- and 12th-grade units, while TYT science used 9th- and 10th-grade units in 2026. Our guide to TYT science topics covers that base.

MEB has also announced a new skills-based question model for YKS from 2028, and it says the exam structure is not changing for now. So the 2027 exam should follow the current lists, but check the 2027 guide when it comes out.

AYT science topics by subject

Physics: 14 questions

In 11th grade, physics covers force and motion, and electricity and magnetism. Then 12th grade adds circular motion, simple harmonic motion, wave mechanics, and an introduction to atomic physics and radioactivity. It ends with modern physics and its uses in technology.

Chemistry: 13 questions

The 11th-grade units are modern atomic theory, gases, liquid solutions and solubility, energy in reactions, reaction rates and chemical equilibrium. After that, 12th grade covers chemistry and electricity, an introduction to carbon chemistry, organic compounds, and energy sources and scientific developments.

Biology: 13 questions

Biology in 11th grade starts with human physiology. It covers the nervous and endocrine systems with the sense organs, support and movement, digestion, circulation, respiration, the urinary system, and reproduction and embryonic development. Community and population ecology then completes the year. In 12th grade, the units are from gene to protein (nucleic acids, the genetic code, protein synthesis) and energy transformations (photosynthesis, chemosynthesis, cellular respiration). Plant biology and living things and the environment close the list.

Which grades do AYT science topics come from?

ÖSYM does not publish a grade split. However, school and teacher analyses of the 2021 and 2022 papers give a useful picture:

• Physics, 2021: 9 questions came from 11th-grade units and 5 from 12th grade.
• Chemistry, 2021 and 2022: in both years, 8 questions came from 11th grade and 5 from 12th grade.
• Biology: the questions built on 11th- and 12th-grade outcomes.

So AYT science is mainly an 11th- and 12th-grade test, and 11th grade carried the larger share in physics and chemistry in those years. Still, no rule excludes earlier topics, and every unit builds on your 9th- and 10th-grade base. Treat these numbers as a guide, not a promise, and check newer papers yourself.

A practical study order for AYT science topics

1. Check your TYT science base. Motion and force, atoms and bonding, and the cell support the AYT units.
2. Start physics with force and motion. Then move to electricity and magnetism, circular and harmonic motion, waves, and finally atomic and modern physics.
3. Build chemistry in layers. Begin with atomic theory and gases, then solutions, energy, rates and equilibrium. Leave electrochemistry and organic chemistry for later.
4. Take biology system by system. Cover human physiology one system at a time, then ecology, gene to protein, energy transformations and plant biology.
5. Rotate the three subjects every week. Leaving one subject for the spring is risky.
6. Practise full SAY sessions. Solve 40 maths and 40 science questions within 180 minutes, using ÖSYM’s past papers page.

AYT science topics: tips for Arab and international students

• Learn the Turkish terms early. Words such as “ivme” (acceleration), “manyetik alan” (magnetic field), “dalga” (wave), “çözünürlük” (solubility), “denge” (equilibrium) and “solunum” (respiration) appear across the units.
• Practise without a calculator. ÖSYM bans calculators, so train quick working by hand.
• Give each subject its fair share. Physics, chemistry and biology carry the same weight, so a weak subject pulls the whole SAY score down.
• Keep TYT in your weekly plan. TYT is still 40% of the SAY score.
• Use the net rule wisely. Every four wrong answers cancel one correct answer, so skip a question when you have no idea.

How ILEAP Academy helps with AYT science topics

ILEAP Academy is one of the first Arabic centers in Istanbul specialised in YKS. We start with a level test, so each student knows which AYT science topics to fix first. Teachers explain the topics in Arabic and train the Turkish of the exam step by step. In addition, timed practice exams show your nets in physics, chemistry and biology, 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 AYT science?

There are 40: 14 in physics, 13 in chemistry and 13 in biology. Each subject carries a weight of 10 in the SAY score.

Are AYT science topics only from 11th and 12th grade?

Mostly. Teacher analyses of the 2021 and 2022 papers placed the questions in 11th- and 12th-grade units. However, no official rule excludes earlier topics, and AYT questions build on your 9th- and 10th-grade base.

Do EA or SÖZ students need AYT science?

No. AYT science counts only in the SAY score, while EA and SÖZ use other AYT tests.