Specialist Psychological Counselor Özgür Akoğlan, Manager of Educational Institutions and Guidance Services at Üsküdar University, made important suggestions that can be applied by candidates during the exam, ahead of the Higher Education Institutions Exam (YKS) to be held on June 20-21, 2026.
Akoğlan emphasized that exam success is closely related not only to the level of knowledge but also to the ability to manage knowledge correctly, and stated that staying calm and maintaining focus during the exam will significantly contribute to success.
Proceed without getting stuck in the first round
Akoğlan stated that students struggling during the exam should not spend too much time on a single question and listed the tactics that can be used and directly applied to maximize success during the exam as follows:
“The round technique (skipping); The moment you feel you can't solve a question on the first reading, mark it and quickly move on to the next question without dwelling on it. Completing all the questions you can in the first round gives you an idea about the overall exam and allows you to use the remaining time to focus on difficult questions more comfortably.
Read the question stems carefully!
Question stem reading strategy: Be sure to underline negative or inclusive expressions such as ‘is not’, ‘does not exist’, ‘is most’. This is the simplest yet most effective safety measure to prevent the mind from misinterpreting the question stem due to exam excitement.
Do the coding at the end of the page or section
Rounding and optical coding: Do the coding not immediately after each question, but after a section or page is finished. This allows your mind to rest for a short while and minimizes the risk of slipping.
Start with your strong area…
Exam start ritual: At the beginning of the exam, start with the branch or question type that comes easiest to you. This allows your mind to experience the feeling of accomplishment, triggering dopamine release and enabling you to proceed with higher self-confidence throughout the rest of the exam.
Do not neglect time control
Time management control: Be sure to check the time halfway through the exam and in the last 15 minutes. Controlling the remaining time makes you feel in control of the exam and prevents sudden panic attacks.
The result of TYT should not affect AYT
Emotional isolation: Whether TYT went well or badly, it should not affect AYT. If TYT was harder than you expected, turn a new page with the thought, ‘what's done is done, now it’s time to recover in AYT.’ If it went very well, continue to focus without falling into the complacency of ‘it's over’.
Transition to AYT with a different mental preparation
AYT focus: Reprogram your mind according to AYT's question type and weight. While TYT is speed and practice-oriented, AYT is knowledge and depth-oriented. Leave aside the fast rhythm from TYT and prepare yourself for the slower, more analytical, and more careful process that AYT requires.
Refresh your mind with small movements
Small physical movements: Get up from where you are sitting, take a few steps, stretch your shoulders and neck. Accelerating blood circulation disperses the feeling of fatigue caused by long periods of sitting and allows you to start with a fresher mind when you open the AYT booklet.”
Özgür Akoğlan concluded his words by saying, “These tactics aim to minimize exam mishaps you might experience while transferring the knowledge you have to the exam paper.”
Radically changing the diet routine can cause stress!
Research Assistant Dr. Hatice Çolak Çetinkaya from the Nutrition and Dietetics Department of Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences also evaluated nutrition habits in the pre-exam period.
Dr. Çetinkaya stated that radically changing students' diet routine days before YKS can cause stress in children, adding, “Also, switching to untested foods and a new diet routine can negatively affect the digestive system. It would be best for the student to adjust their existing routine with small steps. To keep blood sugar stable, it is recommended to eat 3 main meals and 2 snacks a day, consuming foods such as whole-grain bread, oatmeal, and bulgur. At the same time, protein sources such as eggs, legumes, yogurt, and cheese can be added to provide long-lasting and stable energy and support the feeling of satiety.”
Fruits and vegetables support attention and mood
Dr. Çetinkaya noted that fruit and vegetable consumption is important not only for physical health but also for mental performance, saying, “Increasing students' consumption of fruits and vegetables they like can help improve attention and psychological mood with their antioxidant content. However, it should not be forgotten that the most important thing is water consumption. Even mild dehydration leads to difficulty concentrating; it is recommended to drink at least 2-2.5 liters of water per day.”
Beware of fast food and high-sugar snacks!
Dr. Çetinkaya stated that ready-made and processed foods should be reduced as much as possible in the pre-exam period, and continued:
“Ready-made and processed foods, high-sugar snacks, and fast food should be minimized during this period. Foods that rapidly raise blood sugar will fall at the same speed, causing fatigue and difficulty concentrating. For foods consumed outside, especially in hot weather, there is a high risk of spoilage in chicken, creamy, and fried foods. This situation can lead to food poisoning and health problems such as gastroenteritis. If such an illness occurs very close to the exam, it can negatively affect the student's performance.”
The day before the exam, prefer familiar and easily digestible foods
Emphasizing the importance of nutrition the day before the exam, Dr. Çetinkaya said, “Easily digestible and familiar meals such as pasta, rice, soup, and vegetable dishes can be preferred. It would be logical to consider whole-grain options with a meal containing eggs, chicken, or legumes to provide sufficient protein. This helps with blood sugar regulation and energy storage for exam day. Adding plenty of vegetables and fruits to provide energy and vitamins would also be a good alternative.”
Dr. Çetinkaya also stated that fruit and vegetable consumption should not be neglected, adding, “However, if one is not accustomed to foods like vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, they should not be preferred due to the possibility of causing gas and bloating. Also, fatty, heavy, and fried foods, untested foods (allergy and digestive risk), carbonated and sugary drinks are among the foods to be avoided.”
Do not overfill your stomach on exam morning
Dr. Çetinkaya stated that the breakfast to be had on exam morning should be balanced and moderate, and noted the following:
“It is also important not to overdo breakfast. Instead of filling the stomach, a moderate, balanced meal should be aimed for. If a student is not used to breakfast, brain-friendly foods that will keep energy balanced for hours, provide a feeling of satiety, such as bananas, oat products, walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts (a small handful), protein bars, or fruit bars can be preferred. If a student has a breakfast habit, consuming boiled eggs or an omelet, toast made with whole-grain bread, and raw vegetables will store long-term energy.”
Do not drink coffee for the first time on exam morning
Dr. Çetinkaya also made important warnings about caffeine consumption, stating that students who regularly consume coffee or tea should not exceed their usual amount.
“A cup of filter coffee or 1-2 glasses of tea is usually sufficient on exam morning,” said Dr. Çetinkaya, and continued:
“However, for students who do not regularly consume coffee, taking caffeine for the first time on exam morning carries serious risks; palpitations, tremors, stomach discomfort, and excessive tension are much more pronounced in these individuals. We do not normally recommend energy drinks due to their content. On exam day, energy drinks should definitely be avoided.”
Students experiencing anxiety should eat small portions
Dr. Çetinkaya stated that exam anxiety can cause loss of appetite and digestive system problems, adding, “During this period, it would be more appropriate to eat small portions at more frequent intervals instead of large portions.”
Dr. Çetinkaya stated that some foods such as coffee, chocolate, onion, and mint can increase stomach sensitivity, and said, “Probiotic sources like yogurt, kefir, and ayran can support intestinal health. Additionally, herbal teas such as linden and chamomile can be preferred due to their calming effects and contribution to fluid intake.”
For success, the body must be prepared as much as the mind
Dr. Çetinkaya stated that skipping breakfast, consuming excessive caffeine, and resorting to energy drinks are among the most common mistakes students make in the pre-exam period, and concluded her words as follows:
“Our most important advice is for students to feel comfortable and safe. It is also very important for families to provide this environment. For exam success, not only the mind but also the body must be well prepared. In terms of nutrition, preferring familiar foods, consuming sufficient water, not skipping breakfast, and avoiding excessive caffeine are among the basic rules. These simple but effective suggestions will help students get the best return for their long-standing efforts. It should also be remembered that one should not overeat the day before the exam and not rely on energy drinks.”
