The Turkish Proficiency Exam determines which CEFR level a candidate’s Turkish corresponds to. It is administered by an exam commission formed by the Centre’s Board of Directors under the Kilis TÖMER Teaching and Examination Directive.
| Section | Content |
|---|---|
| Listening | Multiple-choice questions on recorded texts |
| Reading | Multiple-choice questions on texts, grammar and vocabulary |
| Writing | Essay writing on given topics |
| Speaking | Individual 5–10 minute oral exam before a commission |
Each section is scored out of 100; the average of the four sections determines the level. Writing and speaking are scored with rubrics by two instructors; see Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting.
The candidate first briefly introduces himself or herself and then answers topic cards of increasing difficulty. The commission asks follow-up questions to determine the level.
| Stage | Sample Question |
|---|---|
| Warm-up | Could you introduce yourself? Where are you from, and which department were you admitted to? |
| Basic | What do you do in your free time? · Describe the city you live in. |
| Intermediate | What should we do to live a healthy life? · What are the advantages and disadvantages of the internet? |
| Advanced | Can distance education replace face-to-face education? Explain your view with reasons. · Interpret the proverb “Every door has a key.” |
Note: The exam itself is conducted in Turkish.
| Level | A1 | A2 | B1 | B2 | C1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TYS score | 30 – 44 | 45 – 59 | 60 – 69 | 70 – 79 | 80 – 100 |
Under Article 10 of the Kilis 7 Aralık University International Student Admission Directive, students must reach at least C1 in the Turkish Proficiency Exam or in the courses of Kilis TÖMER in order to register for courses and start their studies. Students who cannot meet the Turkish requirement within two years are dismissed from the University.
University students and staff take the first exam free of charge. Re-takers and external candidates pay the fee set by the Centre’s Board of Directors, which is announced in the exam announcement.
For students who started their studies with a B2 certificate and need a C1 certificate to graduate, a C1 exam in the same format as the TYS is held. Dates are announced.
Results are reported by the exam commission in a table showing skill scores (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking), the average and the level; after approval by the Centre Directorate they are announced on the website, and results of University students are officially sent to the Department of Student Affairs. See Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting.
Appeals against results are submitted to the TÖMER Directorate by petition.
Selected pages from the September 2022 TYS are available as a sample exam (PDF, in Turkish). The sample does not include all questions.