Graduate-Level Entrance Exams
ALES Exam
About the ALES exam: ALES (Akademik Personel ve Lisansüstü Eğitim Giriş Sınavı), or the Academic Personnel and Postgraduate Education Entrance Exam, is a ranking test used to evaluate students who have earned a bachelor's degree from Turkish universities and wish to pursue a master's or doctoral degree at a state university. The exam has two main sections — verbal and quantitative — each divided into two parts of 40 questions. Candidates answer only three of the four parts, i.e., 120 questions in 180 minutes.
Organizing body: The ALES is organized by ÖSYM (the Student Selection and Placement Center).
Exam dates: The ALES is administered twice a year, in spring and autumn, and is held on a Sunday during each session.
Importance: All Turkish state universities require ALES results when applying to graduate studies, except for students applying to faculties of fine arts or music conservatories.
GMAT Exam
About the GMAT exam: The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a standardized exam primarily taken by individuals seeking to pursue graduate-level business administration programs, especially students planning to continue their education abroad. Success in the GMAT, alongside passing English proficiency exams such as TOEFL or IELTS, is required. The GMAT certificate is internationally recognized and is essential for anyone aiming to advance their academic career in business and management, including the MBA.
GMAT preparation: Preparation should begin several months before the exam date. Early registration is recommended in order to secure a suitable date, since exam slots are determined based on the number of applicants and demand.
GRE Exam
The GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) is a standardized exam designed to measure candidates' abilities in abstract reasoning, including analytical writing, mathematics and vocabulary. It is widely used by graduate schools and programs to evaluate applicants' suitability for their programs. The exam is usually taken on a computer but may also be administered on paper in regions lacking the necessary digital infrastructure. Test dates are scheduled based on the number of registrations and demand.
GRE sections:
- Analytical Writing: Assesses critical thinking and analytical writing skills. It includes two tasks: analyzing an issue and analyzing an argument.
- Quantitative Reasoning: Tests the ability to understand fundamental concepts in algebra, geometry and data analysis, and to apply these concepts to solve problems.
- Verbal Reasoning: Measures the ability to analyze and evaluate written information, understand the relationships between parts of a text and draw conclusions.
GRE preparation: Preparation requires intensive study and review. Many students join specialized prep courses or use resources such as books and online tutorials. Many official resources are also available from ETS, the body responsible for the GRE, including practice tests that simulate the actual exam experience.
Registration and scheduling: Registration for the GRE is available online through the official ETS website. Candidates can choose the date and center where they wish to take the exam. Early registration is recommended to secure the preferred date and location.
Recognition of scores: GRE scores are recognized worldwide by higher-education institutions, especially those offering graduate programs in arts and sciences, business administration and many other fields. GRE results can be a decisive part of university admissions and can also impact opportunities for scholarships and financial aid.
TUS Exam
The TUS is the medical specialty entrance exam in Turkey. It is intended for students who wish to pursue postgraduate medical training in specific specialties. The exam evaluates candidates' skills and knowledge across a wide range of medical fields and is a fundamental requirement for admission to medical specialty programs in Turkey.
Structure of the TUS exam:
- Basic Sciences Section: Contains questions related to basic medical sciences such as anatomy, physiology and molecular biology.
- Clinical Section: Focuses on clinical knowledge such as internal medicine, surgery and pediatrics.
Registration and application: The exam is administered by ÖSYM in Turkey and is held several times a year. Candidates must register through the ÖSYM website.
Importance: TUS results are decisive for admission to postgraduate medical training programs in Turkey. The score determines a student's ability to specialize in a particular medical field and to advance their medical career.
