More than 2.2 million students to take university entrance exam in Turkey

More than 2.2 million students across Turkey will enter the University Entrance Examination (YGS) on March 12, vying to secure a place in the country's top universities.

According to the Student Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM), some 2,265, 902 students will take the exam, up from the 2,178,563 who took the test last year.  

Participants have to answer 160 multiple choice questions in a number of fields including Turkish language, history, geography, philosophy, religion, mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology. 

Candidates who score more than 180 are able to apply to the second round of the national university exam, or LYS, which is required in order to be admitted to undergraduate programs.

The ÖSYM has released several warnings for the students in order for them to comply with the rules ahead of the YGS exam. It particularly noted that students should be at the schools where they are going to take the exam at least 15 minutes before it starts at 10 a.m. Those who arrive later than 9:45 a.m. will not be able to take the exam, it stated. 

Moreover, students must not be carrying items such as jewelry, wallets, watches and cellphones, the ÖSYM added.