Özgür Akoğlan, Expert Psychological Counselor and Manager of Üsküdar University Educational Institutions and Guidance Services, gave candidates "pinpoint choice" tips.
Reminding that YKS preferences are made electronically between July 29 and August 10, 2026, via ÖSYM's Candidate Transactions System (AİS), Özgür Akoğlan said, “Candidates can make their preferences by logging into the ais.osym.gov.tr website with their T.R. Identity Numbers and passwords, or through the ÖSYM AİS mobile application they can download to their mobile phones. Additionally, direct access to the AİS system is possible via the e-Devlet portal. Physical submission of preferences from schools or by petition is not accepted; transactions are completed and approved entirely in a digital environment.”
"The right choice is not just about ranking high-scoring departments"
Akoğlan stated that the correct preference strategy should be formed with conscious planning, saying, “Creating a correct list for YKS preferences is much more than just listing places with high scores. With a correct strategy, you can use your success ranking most efficiently. First, you should look at the success ranking, not the score. Since the difficulty of questions in ÖSYM exams changes every year, scores fluctuate, but success rankings are a much more stable indicator. When preparing your list, you should only base it on your success ranking.”
"Divide your preference list into three groups"
Stating that a balance of risk, target, and safety should be established in a successful preference list, Özgür Akoğlan offered the following recommendations to candidates:
“In the second step, you should divide your preferences into three main groups. You can designate your first 3-5 preferences as the dream and risk group, choosing them from approximately 5% or 30% above your success ranking. You should allocate the middle 10-12 preferences to your ideal targets, which are very close to your own ranking. For the last 4-6 preferences, to avoid risk, you should choose from the safety group, which falls about 30% to 50% below your ranking.”
"When ranking the list, base it solely on your desires"
Expressing that the working logic of ÖSYM's placement system should be correctly understood, Özgür Akoğlan said, “When creating your list, you should keep the ranking range logical, but when arranging the items, you should prioritize your own desired order. Remember that the ÖSYM system scans your list from top to bottom and places you in the first place you can enter. Even if the success ranking is lower, you should list a department you desire more above a department you desire less.”
"Be sure to read the special conditions"
Emphasizing that the special conditions in the preference guide should not be overlooked, Özgür Akoğlan said, “When researching departments and universities, you must read the special conditions sections in the preference guide. Details such as age limit, health report, campus location, or preparatory class are included here. Additionally, you should research the department's academic staff, accreditation, internship opportunities, city structure, and accommodation conditions.”
"Check the threshold rankings"
Reminding that some programs have a success ranking threshold, Özgür Akoğlan stated, "You need to check the threshold rankings for departments such as medicine, law, engineering, architecture, teaching, dentistry, and pharmacy."
"Do not list a department you do not intend to attend"
Stating that only programs genuinely desired to be studied should be included in the preference list, Özgür Akoğlan concluded, “Most importantly, you absolutely should not add a place you do not intend to study to your list; even if you win and do not attend, your Secondary Education Achievement Score will be halved the following year.”
Preference Days will continue until August 10
Akoğlan stated that Üsküdar University offers free preference counseling services to candidates as part of its preference days, providing one-on-one support to candidates on department selection, career planning, and preference strategies during meetings conducted with expert academics and psychological counselors. Akoğlan invited candidates who will make their choices to the preference centers established on campuses.
