How to Choose a YKS Course in Istanbul: 8 Questions to Ask

Choosing a YKS course in Istanbul is a big decision for Arab and international families. The course will shape eight months or more of study, and the wrong choice costs time that cannot come back. Since 2026, many more foreign students must take YKS, so new courses are appearing quickly. Every YKS course in Istanbul promises results, but they work very differently. This guide gives you eight practical questions to ask before you register, so you can compare courses with a clear head.

1. In which language are topics explained?

For students who studied in Arabic, understanding comes first. A course that explains maths, physics or biology in Arabic lets the student grasp the idea quickly. However, the exam is in Turkish, so the best courses explain in Arabic and then connect each idea to the Turkish terms. Ask to see how a typical lesson moves between the two languages.

2. How do they train exam Turkish?

TYT has a full Turkish test, and every other question is written in Turkish too. Therefore, ask how the course trains reading speed, question words and the vocabulary of each subject. A good answer includes daily or weekly Turkish practice with real questions, not only grammar lessons. Our guide to Turkish for YKS explains what this practice should look like.

3. How often are practice exams held?

Timed practice exams are the engine of YKS preparation. Ask how often the course runs them, whether they follow the real TYT and AYT format published by ÖSYM, for example in the 2026 TYT booklet, and what happens after each exam. The review matters as much as the exam: students should see their nets per test and the topics behind their mistakes.

4. Does the program match my score type?

A student who wants medicine needs SAY: AYT maths, physics, chemistry and biology. A student who wants law needs EA. So ask whether the course builds groups or plans by score type, or whether every student follows the same program. You can read more about score types in our guide to TYT and AYT.

5. How big are the groups, and who follows up?

Small groups give each student more attention. In addition, ask who checks progress between lessons. A named teacher or advisor who reviews nets with the student, and keeps parents informed, often makes the difference in the last months.

6. Is there an online option?

Some weeks are busy with school exams, and some families live far from the centre. A YKS course in Istanbul that offers the same program online gives flexibility without losing the plan. Ask whether online students join the same practice exams and reviews.

7. Do they help after the results?

YKS does not end with the exam. After the results, students choose up to 24 university preferences, and a good list needs real rankings and honest advice. Ask whether the course helps with preferences (tercih) and how. For example, does it use last year’s base rankings from YÖK Atlas?

8. What exactly is included, and what does it cost?

Finally, ask for a clear written summary: weekly hours, subjects, number of practice exams, start and end dates, and the full fee. It is also fair to ask for a trial lesson or a level check before you pay. A transparent YKS course in Istanbul will answer all of this without pressure.

Red flags to watch for

• Promises of a guaranteed place or score, because no course controls the ranking.
• No regular practice exams, or exams without any review.
• No written schedule, subject list or fee.
• Pressure to pay on the same day, before a level check or trial lesson.

How to compare one YKS course in Istanbul with another

Make a simple table with the eight questions as rows and each course as a column. Then mark each answer as clear, unclear or missing. Usually, the right choice becomes obvious after two or three visits. Also, trust your child’s impression after a trial lesson: a student who understands the teacher will study more.

Why families choose ILEAP Academy

ILEAP Academy is one of the first Arabic centers in Istanbul specialised in YKS. Our program explains each topic in Arabic, trains the Turkish of the exam step by step and runs timed practice exams with clear net reports. Classes run in person in Istanbul and online, and we help students build their university preferences after the results. Discover ILEAP Academy to ask for a level check, and read our complete YKS exam guide for the bigger picture.

Frequently asked questions

When should I join a YKS course?

Ideally in the autumn of the year before the exam. ÖSYM usually holds YKS in June, so autumn gives about eight months for a full plan.

Is an online YKS course as good as in person?

It can be, if online students follow the same plan, take the same practice exams and get the same follow-up.

Should the course teach in Arabic or Turkish?

For most Arab students, the best mix is explanation in Arabic with systematic practice in Turkish, because the exam itself is only in Turkish.