What is YDS and what is it for?
Facts last checked against official sources on October 7, 2026.
Short answer
YDS (Foreign Language Proficiency Exam) is a national exam run by ÖSYM that documents how well someone reads and understands a foreign language. Its score is used for associate professorship, graduate admission, academic posts and the public-sector language allowance in Turkey.
What does it test?
There is no speaking, listening or writing section. 80 multiple-choice questions test vocabulary, grammar, translation and reading in 180 minutes.
When and how is it held?
In 2026 the paper YDS has two sessions: YDS/1 (April) and YDS/2 (November). ÖSYM’s e-exam centres in Adana, Ankara, İstanbul and İzmir also hold an e-YDS session almost every month; e-YDS gives the same rights as YDS.
English is the most common language. German, Arabic, French and Russian are also tested by multiple choice; some languages are offered only as e-YDS and others are tested by written translation.
Sources
Dates and rules can change. Check the organiser’s official page before you apply; that page is binding.
Start preparing for YDS today
Take the free level test to see where you stand; Prepina builds a 10–20 minute daily plan around your exam date.