The Measurement, Selection, and Placement Center (ÖSYM) of Turkey has officially announced the timeline and procedures for the 2026 Special Talent Exam (ÖZYES) preference process. Candidates who participated in the physical and skill-based examinations for sports sciences within the scope of the Higher Education Institutions Exam (YKS) can begin submitting their program choices starting September 24, 2026. This critical phase marks the final step for thousands of aspiring athletes, coaches, and sports educators seeking admission into competitive academic departments across Turkish universities.
According to the official statement released by ÖSYM’s Education Services, the preference window will open at exactly 15:00 (3:00 PM local time) on Thursday, September 24, 2026. Candidates will have a period of exactly one week to finalize their academic selections, with the system scheduled to close at 23:59 (11:59 PM) on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
To input their preferences, candidates must access the ÖSYM Candidate Transactions System (Aday İşlemleri Sistemi, commonly known as AIS) via the official website at ais.osym.gov.tr. Accessing the portal requires candidates to authenticate their identity using their Turkish Republic (T.C.) Identification Number and their personal candidate password. ÖSYM has emphasized that all submissions must be completed individually online; physical applications, mail-in forms, or hand-delivered preference sheets will not be accepted under any circumstances.
Crucial Warnings Regarding the ÖZYES Preference Guide
One of the most critical aspects of the announcement is ÖSYM’s explicit warning regarding the preference guide (tercih kılavuzu). The center noted that the preliminary guide published prior to the selection period is subject to updates and modifications. Consequently, the information, quotas, special conditions, and institutional rules listed in the initial document may change before or during the active preference window.
Candidates are strongly advised not to finalize their choices based solely on early versions of the guide. Instead, they must thoroughly review the most up-to-date guide published on the official ÖSYM portal immediately before submitting their selections. This step is vital, as any mismatch between the candidate’s qualifications and the specific requirements of their chosen programs could lead to the invalidation of their placement, even if their scores are otherwise sufficient.
The guide contains comprehensive details regarding university quotas, program-specific physical and medical requirements, regional campuses, and tuition structures for foundation (private) universities. For instance, certain sports coaching or physical education programs may require specific medical clearances, athletic backgrounds, or age limits that are detailed only within the footnotes of the preference guide.
Understanding the Role of ÖZYES in Turkish Higher Education
To appreciate the significance of this phase, it is essential to understand how the ÖZYES framework operates within Turkey’s higher education system. Historically, admission to sports sciences departments—which include physical education and sports teaching, sports management, coaching education, and recreation programs—was managed independently by individual universities. Each institution conducted its own special talent exams, leading to varied standards, scheduling conflicts, and logistical challenges for students traveling across different provinces to take multiple exams.
To address these inefficiencies and establish a more transparent, standardized, and equitable system, ÖSYM introduced the centralized Special Talent Exam (ÖZYES). Under this unified system, candidates take a standardized exam designed to evaluate their physical capabilities, athletic skills, and general coordination. The results of this exam are then combined with the candidates’ performance in the national Higher Education Institutions Exam (YKS) and their secondary education success score (OBP) to calculate a final placement score.
This centralized approach ensures that a candidate can use their standardized ÖZYES score to apply for programs at multiple universities nationwide without the need to travel to each campus for separate physical trials. The preference period starting on September 24 is the culmination of this unified system, where students rank their desired programs based on their calculated scores and national rankings.
Strategic Planning for the Preference Window
As the preference period approaches, education experts stress the importance of strategic planning. Unlike general academic programs where placement is determined primarily by written test scores, sports sciences placements involve a complex interaction of physical test results, theoretical exam scores, and high school academic performance.
Candidates are encouraged to evaluate their national rankings carefully rather than focusing solely on their raw scores. Since quotas for sports sciences programs are highly competitive, understanding the previous year’s entry trends and the specific weight of the ÖZYES score versus the YKS basic threshold score is key to making informed decisions.
Furthermore, experts recommend that candidates utilize the entire week provided by ÖSYM to consult with academic advisors, physical education teachers, and coaching mentors. Hastily submitting preferences on the first day is discouraged, as the system allows candidates to modify and update their choices as many times as they wish until the final deadline on September 30 at 23:59. However, once the deadline passes, no changes, additions, or deletions can be made to the preference list under any circumstances.
Technical Guidelines and System Security
Given the high volume of traffic expected on the AIS platform during the preference week, ÖSYM has put in place several technical guidelines to ensure a smooth user experience. Candidates are advised to avoid waiting until the final hours of September 30 to submit their preferences, as potential internet connectivity issues or system congestion could prevent them from completing their applications on time.
When navigating the ais.osym.gov.tr portal, candidates must ensure they receive a "Preferences Successfully Completed" confirmation screen and save or print a copy of their preference form for their personal records. This document serves as official proof of submission in the event of any technical discrepancies.
Additionally, candidates must keep their AIS passwords secure. Sharing credentials with third parties, including unofficial consulting services or internet cafés, carries significant risks of unauthorized modifications to preference lists. If a candidate has forgotten their password, they can reset it using the security questions established during registration or by obtaining a new password through the e-Devlet (e-Government) integration option available on the ÖSYM login page.
What Happens After the Preference Period?
Once the preference window closes on September 30, ÖSYM will begin the algorithmic processing of the submissions. The placement algorithm matches candidates to programs based on their preference order, their calculated placement scores, and the established quotas for each department. Special consideration is also given to national athlete quotas and other regulatory sub-categories defined in the official guide.
The results of the placement process are expected to be announced in the weeks following the deadline. Upon publication of the results, candidates will be able to view their placement status on the ÖSYM website. Those who are successfully placed will then need to complete their registration procedures at their respective universities within the designated registration dates, which will be announced separately.
For candidates who do not secure a placement in the initial round, there may be opportunities during subsequent additional placement rounds (ek yerleştirme), depending on whether any quotas remain unfilled after the primary registration period. However, eligibility for these additional rounds is strictly governed by ÖSYM rules, making the initial preference phase the most critical opportunity for securing a spot in a sports sciences program for the 2026-2027 academic year.
