Every year, millions of young people in Turkey take a major exam. The Higher Education Institutions Examination, known as YKS, determines university admission. In 2026, more than 2.2 million candidates sat the basic test. Medicine, dentistry, and law continue to require the highest scores. New score rankings have been released to guide students' choices.
Medicine remains the most competitive field in Turkey's higher education system. This year, medical programs offered approximately 18,627 places nationwide. Nursing followed closely with 16,845 available seats. Dentistry provided around 6,587 places for aspiring students. The gap between available seats and applicants creates intense competition.
Research suggests that extreme academic pressure can harm students' mental health. Studies have found that nearly 48 percent of Turkish students experience exam anxiety. If the system relied on broader criteria, more students would feel valued. Some experts argue that a single exam should not determine a person's career. This debate is relevant in many countries, not only Turkey.
The discussion about medical school admission reflects deeper social questions. Societies must decide how to select people for important professions. A fair and transparent process is essential for public trust. However, reducing a student's potential to one test score is widely criticized. Finding a balance between fairness and well-being remains a significant challenge.
