Is YKS Hard? An Honest Answer for Arab and International Students

Is YKS hard? It is one of the first questions Arab and international families ask when they hear about the exam. The honest answer is that YKS is hard in some ways and easier than its reputation in others. It is long, it is only in Turkish and the competition for top programs is real. However, it follows the high school curriculum, it has no pass mark and every part can be trained. In this guide, we look at what makes YKS hard, what does not, and how to prepare so the exam feels much smaller.

What makes YKS hard?

Most students who say YKS is hard point to five things. None of them is a secret, so you can plan for each one.

Time pressure

TYT has 120 questions in 165 minutes, so you have less than a minute and a half per question. AYT has 160 questions in 180 minutes. Speed is part of the test, and many students lose points simply because they run out of time. That is why timed practice matters so much.

Negative marking

Every four wrong answers cancel one correct answer. Your result is counted in nets, not in correct answers. As a result, guessing can hurt you, and students need to learn when to leave a question empty.

The questions are in Turkish

TYT and AYT are written only in Turkish, according to the 2026 YKS guide from ÖSYM. For a student who thinks in Arabic, even an easy maths question takes longer when the question text is slow to read. For many of our students, this is the main reason YKS feels hard at the start.

Competition for top programs

More than two million candidates apply for YKS each year. Places in medicine, dentistry and law go to the highest rankings. For example, in 2026 medicine required a SAY ranking within the top 50,000, and law required an EA ranking within the top 100,000.

A wide range of subjects

TYT covers Turkish, basic maths, science and social sciences in one session. Then AYT goes deeper into the subjects of your score type. So a student cannot study only one subject and hope for the best.

Why YKS is easier than its reputation

The other side of the story matters just as much. Here is why YKS is not as hard as many people think.

• There is no pass mark. The old 150 and 180 point thresholds were abolished in 2022. Today a calculated score is enough to take part in placement.
• Not every program needs a top ranking. Many bachelor’s programs have no minimum ranking at all, and past rankings are public on YÖK Atlas.
• The content is known. Questions follow the high school curriculum, and ÖSYM publishes past papers, so you always know what to train for.
• TYT counts everywhere. TYT makes up 40% of every SAY, EA, SÖZ and DİL score, so a strong TYT already carries you a long way.
• Students from Turkish high schools have a head start. If you study at a Turkish high school, you already follow the curriculum that YKS is built on.

Is YKS hard for Arab students?

For Arab students, YKS is hard mainly because of reading speed in Turkish, not because of the maths or science. In fact, many Arab students are strong in maths. The gap usually closes once they learn the exam vocabulary and the common question patterns. Also, there is one part where Arabic is an advantage: YDT, the foreign language test, is offered in Arabic, and it is used for the DİL score type.

How hard is YKS for your goal?

The right question is not only whether YKS is hard, but how hard it is for the program you want. Here is a rough picture based on the 2026 minimum rankings:

• Medicine: very competitive, top 50,000 in SAY.
• Dentistry and pharmacy: top 80,000 and top 100,000 in SAY.
• Law: top 100,000 in EA.
• Engineering and teaching: top 300,000 in the related score type.
• Many other programs: no minimum ranking, so a steady score is often enough.

So YKS is hard if you aim for medicine with little time left. On the other hand, it is very reachable for many good programs if you start early.

Six steps that make YKS easier

1. Start early. ÖSYM usually holds YKS in June, so starting in the autumn gives you about eight months.
2. Begin with a level test. First find your real level in Turkish, maths and science, then build the plan on it.
3. Make TYT your base. Because TYT counts for 40% of every score type, it is the best place to start.
4. Train with timed practice exams. Regular mock exams build speed, and they show which topics cost you nets.
5. Learn the Turkish of the exam. Study the words and sentence patterns that appear in real questions, especially in paragraph questions.
6. Review every mistake. After each practice exam, write down why you lost each net, and then fix that topic.

Common mistakes that make YKS harder

• Starting AYT before the TYT basics are solid.
• Solving many questions without ever timing yourself.
• Guessing on every question, even when you have no idea.
• Studying alone without anyone checking your nets.
• Leaving exam Turkish until the last months.

How ILEAP Academy makes YKS less hard

ILEAP Academy is one of the first Arabic centers in Istanbul specialised in YKS. Every student starts with a level test, then joins the right group. We explain topics in Arabic, train the Turkish of the exam step by step and run timed practice exams with clear net reports. 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 for the full picture of the exam.

Frequently asked questions

Is YKS hard compared with the SAT?

They are very different exams. The SAT is in English and can be taken several times a year. YKS is in Turkish, is held once a year and is the main route for students from Turkish high schools.

Is YKS hard to pass in six months?

It depends on your starting level and your goal. Six months can be enough for many programs. However, a very competitive goal such as medicine usually needs a longer plan.

Is TYT easier than AYT?

Usually yes, because TYT tests basic skills, while AYT goes deeper into each subject. Still, TYT is the part that every student must take, and it counts in every score type.