Imagine sitting in a room with 1.7 million other people, all competing for the same goal. That is exactly what happened in Turkey on September 6, 2026. The country held the first session of its annual KPSS exam. KPSS stands for Public Personnel Selection Examination. It is the main gateway to government jobs across the nation.
The exam was conducted in 145 centers across all 81 provinces of Turkey. Candidates were given 130 minutes to answer 120 multiple-choice questions. The questions covered general aptitude, culture, history, and current events. Remarkably, about 64 percent of the candidates were women. Results are expected to be announced on October 7.
The competition is incredibly fierce because government positions are highly valued in Turkey. A stable salary, retirement benefits, and job security attract millions of applicants every year. Many candidates spend months preparing, and some take the exam several times. If the government created more positions, the pressure on candidates would decrease significantly.
High-stakes exams like the KPSS exist in many countries around the world. They raise important questions about fairness and opportunity in modern societies. Critics argue that a single exam cannot truly measure a person's ability. However, supporters believe standardized testing remains the most transparent method of selection.
