3 kinds of Turkish exams compared
Three kinds of certificate prove Turkish according to the CEFR, the Common European Framework of Reference with six levels from A1 to C2.
| Exam | Issuer | Levels | Typical purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| TYS (Türkçe Yeterlik Sınavı) | Yunus Emre Institute | B2 or C1 | degrees and scholarships in Türkiye |
| telc Turkish | telc gGmbH, Frankfurt, Germany | A1 to C1, school versions A2 to B2 | job applications, schools, training |
| TÖMER certificate | language centres of Turkish universities | up to C1, by course | enrolment at Turkish universities |
The exams are built differently. telc Turkish is a level exam, which tests exactly one level and which you either pass or fail. TYS tests in one sitting whether you reach B2 or C1. TÖMER certificates close a course at a university language centre, and each centre issues its own certificate.
You take all three certificates in person, while preparation and mock tests run online. Ask the body that wants proof, in writing, for the exact exam and the minimum level.
Which Turkish exam fits which goal
The right exam follows from your goal and from the list of the body that asks for proof.
| Your goal | Suitable exam | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Degree taught in Turkish in Türkiye | TYS or TÖMER, usually C1 | your chosen university's list |
| Skipping the preparatory year of Türkiye Scholarships | C1 from the Yunus Emre Institute or a university language centre | certificate before the degree starts |
| Job application in Europe | telc Turkish, often B2 or C1 | level that matches the job |
| School and youth | telc school versions A2, B1, B2 or junior A2 | age and level |
| Intermediate goal while learning | telc Turkish A2 or B1 | exam dates at a local centre |
Heritage speakers, people who learned Turkish at home, often speak at a high level but write with less confidence. A telc certificate at B2 or C1 makes sense for them once the written part is secure. Without a certificate, a CV often just says native speaker, which says nothing about written Turkish.
TYS with a certificate at B2 or C1
Türkçe Yeterlik Sınavı (TYS) is the Turkish exam of the Yunus Emre Institute, Türkiye's state cultural institute. It is built on the CEFR and tests reading, listening, writing and speaking.
Successful candidates receive a certificate at B2 or C1. A result under B2 leads to no certificate, so plan the TYS only once you are secure at B2. The exam runs three times a year, in Türkiye and in countries with Yunus Emre Institutes. In 2026, sessions took place on 17 May and 27 September, for example.
According to the institute, TYS was the first Turkish exam to receive the quality mark of ALTE. ALTE is the Association of Language Testers in Europe, whose members commit to shared quality standards. The institute publishes dates, locations and fees for each test centre. Its website also offers sample questions, so you can get to know the format and difficulty of TYS before you register.
telc Turkish from A1 to C1 as a level exam
telc gGmbH, a non-profit exam provider owned by the German adult education association, offers Turkish exams for adults at A1 to C1. It also has school versions at A2, B1 and B2 and a junior exam at A2. You take them at licensed test centres, which in Germany are often adult education centres.
- ✓telc certificates carry no expiry date.
- ✓Every level has its own exam, so telc also works for intermediate goals such as A2 or B1.
- ✗telc offers no remote tests for Turkish.
- ✗For admission to Turkish universities, TYS and TÖMER usually count.
According to telc, results arrive 4 to 6 weeks after the exam. Each test centre sets its own fee. Ask the centres near you for dates, because not every centre offers Turkish.
TÖMER certificates from Turkish universities
TÖMER is the name of the Turkish language centre at a Turkish university. These centres teach international students and issue their own certificates, up to C1 depending on the course. The scholarship programme Türkiye Scholarships runs its preparatory year at these centres, with 960 hours of Turkish and 140 hours of academic Turkish.
A TÖMER certificate is not a standard test like TYS. Each centre assesses by its own procedure. Ask your chosen university whether it accepts certificates from other centres or only its own.
Holders of Türkiye Scholarships skip the preparatory year if they already hold a C1 certificate from the Yunus Emre Institute or a university language centre in Türkiye. If an online course takes you to C1 and you pass the certificate before the degree starts, you save a whole year.
Online preparation for a Turkish exam
An online preparation course for Turkish must train four features that general courses often leave out.
- Endings under time pressure: Mistakes in vowel harmony and suffixes cost points in the written part. Write texts against the clock and have the endings corrected.
- Special letters in writing: Write ı, ğ, ş and ç correctly from the start, by hand or on a computer. A missing dot changes words.
- Listening at natural speed: Long words built from many suffixes are hard to break down at normal speed. Listen to news and interviews instead of textbook dialogues.
- Formal Turkish in speaking: Practise the polite form siz and factual contributions on social topics.
Once you have reached the target level, 6 to 12 weeks with a few hours per week usually cover format and timing. Two full mock exams under time pressure show whether you are ready.
Frequently asked questions about online Turkish test preparation courses
Which Turkish exam do I need for a degree in Türkiye?
For a degree taught in Turkish in Türkiye you usually need the TYS of the Yunus Emre Institute or a certificate from a TÖMER language centre, often at C1. Each university sets the exact requirement. Check your chosen university's list before you apply.
Which levels does the TYS Turkish exam test?
The TYS Turkish exam awards certificates at levels B2 and C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). A result under B2 leads to no certificate. The exam covers reading, listening, writing and speaking.
How often is the TYS Turkish exam held?
The TYS Turkish exam is held three times a year, in Türkiye and at Yunus Emre Institutes abroad. In 2026, sessions took place on 17 May and 27 September, for example. The institute publishes dates and fees for each test centre.
Can you take telc Turkish online from home?
telc Turkish is taken in person at a licensed test centre. telc offers no remote tests for Turkish. Only preparation and practice tests run online.
Which Turkish exam suits children and teenagers?
Children and teenagers can take the telc Turkish school exams at A2, B1 and B2 or the junior exam at A2. TYS is aimed at adults heading for a degree or a scholarship. Ask the school which exam it recognises.
How long does preparation for a Turkish exam take?
Preparation for a Turkish exam usually takes 6 to 12 weeks if you have already reached the target level. In that time you train the format, the time limits and the endings under time pressure. If you are still a whole level short, it takes considerably longer.
Sources
The information is based on these sources. Check fees and dates with the provider before you register.