Experts emphasize that after determining the program goal during the YKS preparation process, it is also critically important to set a target number of correct answers (net score) required for the desired department. One of the most common mistakes candidates make is repeatedly studying the same topics.
Expert Psychological Counselor Özgür Akoğlan advised that “Be sure not to neglect practice exams, and especially in the final month before the test, reduce the interval between practice exams to every three days.”
Özgür Akoğlan, Director of Educational Institutions and Guidance Services at Üsküdar University, shared important strategies and recommendations to help candidates increase their net scores during the Higher Education Institutions Exam (YKS) to be held on June 21–22, 2025.
High scores are the sole goal for many candidates
Stating that achieving high net scores is the main goal for many, Akoğlan explained that “The preparation process is a journey full of ups and downs for various reasons, such as tress, anxiety, and excitement being major ones. Despite these challenges, it is absolutely possible to reach your goals with high scores.”
Set your target net score!
Once a candidate sets their program goal, it is also essential to determine the net score needed to gain admission to the desired department. “Defining your net target helps prevent wasting time by struggling with difficult questions and losing morale. For instance, if the required score for your chosen program in TYT (Basic Proficiency Test) is 80 net, that means you can afford to leave about 40 questions unanswered.”
Don not keep focusing on the same topics
Answering frequently asked questions like “How can I increase my net score?”, “What is the maximum net I can achieve?”, and “How can I improve quickly?”, Akoğlan continued his remarks as follows: “One of the most common mistakes candidates make is repeatedly studying the same topics. As a result, they tend to answer only those parts in practice exams. Let’s not forget that learning new topics will help you progress. Understanding current topics and question distribution patterns that may appear in the YKS allows you to focus your efforts accordingly. This is especially crucial during the final two months. That way, you’ll know what to study and can prepare your study schedule more effectively.”
Avoid inefficient study habits
Expressing that one reason candidates may not see the desired results in practice exams is inefficient studying, Akoğlan stated that “There are many reasons for inefficient studying: you might be spending too much time on unnecessary parts of topics, taking excessive notes, or studying at the wrong time due to fatigue or lack of sleep. To eliminate these issues, you can consult your school guidance counselor to identify areas you need to improve. This allows you to detect and correct flaws in your study method and schedule. Most importantly, never stop identifying your mistakes and working to correct them.”
Be organized
Highlighting the importance of knowing exactly which topics to study before starting, Akoğlan advised that “If you internalize your work and use it as a source of motivation, you can implement your plan without feeling drained. Instead of making lengthy, complex plans, prepare short-term, focused ones. Often, when one item in a long plan fails, it derails the whole schedule and leads to disappointment. But with a limited to-do list, you have more flexibility to make up for setbacks.”
Expose yourself to many types of questions
Reminding candidates that teachers write the exam questions, Akoğlan noted that “The more questions you solve from various sources, the more you begin to see the questions through different teachers’ perspectives. One of the biggest benefits of solving many questions is being exposed to a wide variety of question types. You can turn your limited pool of questions into an ocean by practicing with questions of varying difficulty, that is easy, medium, and hard, from books and online platforms. This helps you recognize both the simplest and most challenging questions that could appear on a particular topic.”
Analyze your practice tests
“Never skip practice exams. In the final month before the exam, reduce your interval between practice tests to three days,” advised Akoğlan, and Akoğlan continued his remarks as follows: “You might be solving practice exams and test books regularly, but still making the same mistakes. Another mistake candidates make is failing to analyze their practice exams and tests after completing them. After every exam or test, you should analyze each incorrect answer to identify which topics and question types you struggle with. This will help you avoid repeating the same mistakes and allow you to track your progress over time and monitor your overall performance.”
Avoid reading carelessly
Due to exam anxiety, many candidates read questions too quickly, which can lead to misunderstanding or not comprehending the question at all. Akoğlan warned that “If you could understand a question and answer it correctly by reading at your own pace, avoid rushing through it and risking an incorrect answer.”
Understand the logic
Highlighting a recent shift in ÖSYM’s exam question styles, Akoğlan stated that “In recent years, ÖSYM has focused more on assessing analytical thinking, reasoning, and interpretation. These new question types can confuse students and lead to indecision. The key is not to rely on your own interpretations, but to base your answers solely on the information given in the question. To avoid mistakes, steer clear of personal assumptions and think only within the framework provided.”
Have a clear goal
Reminding students that the YKS preference period is very limited, Akoğlan said that “After the exam, many students don’t have enough time to fully think through their choices. Even students who’ve worked hard and achieved good results may end up making the wrong choices due to poor or rushed decision-making. To avoid these mistakes, set your goal early on and move forward with a realistic, goal-oriented study plan.”
Manage time well, and develop a biological clock
Akoğlan emphasized that many candidates fail to reach their full potential during the exam not because of lack of knowledge, but because of poor time management and made the following remarks: “Timing yourself during practice exams and tests is one of the most effective ways to fix this. Getting used to working under timed conditions trains your biological clock, enabling you to efficiently move on from time-consuming questions during the actual exam. And finally, remember that anyone who can identify and correct their mistakes can achieve their goals with effective study and determination.”
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)