YKS Ranking for Medicine: What You Need to Study Medicine in Türkiye

The YKS ranking for medicine is the number many Arab families ask about first. Medicine is one of the most wanted programs in Türkiye, and through YKS the door opens by ranking, not by a fixed passing score. Since 2026, foreign students from Turkish high schools also compete for these places through YKS. This guide explains how the ranking works, what the official minimum is and how to plan a realistic path to medicine.

How medicine admission works in YKS

Medicine uses the SAY (science) score type. Your SAY score combines TYT (40%) with AYT maths (30%), physics, chemistry and biology (10% each). ÖSYM then ranks every candidate by their SAY placement score, which also includes the bonus from the diploma grade (OBP).

Each medical faculty fills its places from the top of that ranking. So the question is not “what score do I need?” but “how high in the SAY ranking must I be?” Our guide to YKS score calculation explains how nets turn into scores.

The official minimum YKS ranking for medicine

In addition to the competition, there is an official floor. According to the 2026 programs and quotas guide from ÖSYM, medicine required a SAY ranking within the top 50,000 in 2026. Other health programs had their own floors:

• Dentistry: a SAY ranking within the top 80,000.
• Pharmacy: a SAY ranking within the top 100,000.

Foundation (private) universities may set stricter limits. Also note that the minimum is only the entry condition. Many medical faculties fill all their places with candidates ranked far higher than 50,000.

How to find the ranking you really need

The best tool is YÖK Atlas, the official database of programs. For each medical faculty, it shows last year’s base ranking (taban başarı sırası), which is the ranking of the last student who got a place. It also shows the number of places, the language of instruction and, for foundation universities, the scholarship level.

Use it this way:

1. List five to ten medical faculties you would really attend.
2. Note last year’s base ranking for each one.
3. Add a safety margin, because rankings change every year.
4. Turn that ranking into target nets for TYT and AYT with your teacher.

State or foundation university: two different races

State universities charge low fees, so their medical faculties are usually the most competitive. Foundation universities charge tuition, but they list each program with different scholarship levels, such as full scholarship, 50% discount or paid places. Each level has its own base ranking. For example, a full-scholarship place at a foundation university often needs a much higher ranking than a paid place in the same program.

So when you compare programs on YÖK Atlas, always compare the same type of place. Otherwise, a list that looks realistic on paper can be far from your real chances.

What it takes in nets

There is no single magic number, because rankings depend on how all candidates perform each year. Still, the pattern is clear. Medicine needs strong nets in all four AYT science and maths tests, plus a strong TYT, since TYT is 40% of the SAY score. For example, a student with excellent AYT biology but weak TYT Turkish will usually fall behind in the ranking.

In short, the YKS ranking for medicine rewards balance across every test, not one strong subject. Moreover, the diploma grade matters more than many students think. The OBP adds between 30 and 60 points, and near the top of the ranking a few points can move you thousands of places.

Notes for Arab students

Most medical programs in Türkiye teach in Turkish, while some teach in English. YÖK Atlas shows the language of each program, so check it before you build your list. Either way, the YKS exam itself is in Turkish, and long biology and chemistry questions reward fast reading.

If medicine is your goal, start early, choose SAY from the first month and track your nets every month. It is also wise to keep alternatives on your list, such as dentistry, pharmacy or other health sciences, each with its own ranking rules. Read our complete YKS exam guide and the guide on YKS for foreign students for the rules that apply to you.

How ILEAP Academy helps future medical students

ILEAP Academy is one of the first Arabic centers in Istanbul specialised in YKS. For SAY students, we focus on AYT maths, physics, chemistry and biology, explain each topic in Arabic, teach the Turkish science terms and track your nets against the YKS ranking for medicine you aim for. Classes run in person in Istanbul and online. Discover ILEAP Academy.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum YKS ranking for medicine?

In 2026, medicine required a SAY ranking within the top 50,000. Many faculties, however, filled their places with much higher-ranked candidates.

Can foreign students study medicine through YKS?

Yes. Foreign students who take YKS compete for the same medical places under the same ranking rules as Turkish students.

Does my diploma grade affect the ranking?

Yes. The OBP from your diploma grade adds between 30 and 60 points to your placement score, which can change your ranking noticeably.