Home · Exam Guides · Unit 01
Unit 01
How Many YDS Points Do You Need?
score requirements by purpose: allowance, postgraduate study, academic posts
The Short Answer
There is no single "pass mark" in YDS. Your score (out of 100) is accepted or not depending on what you need it for. The most common thresholds are 70 for the language allowance, 55 for associate professorship (doçentlik) and PhD programmes, and 50 for research assistant and lecturer posts — but universities often ask for more.
Typical Minimum Scores
Rules and minimum scores can change and often differ between universities and institutions. Always check the latest official announcement (ÖSYM, YÖK, ÜAK or the institution's own call) before you apply.
| Purpose | Minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Language allowance (public employees) | 70 | Levels A (90–100), B (80–89) and C (70–79) are paid; YÖKDİL is not accepted. |
| Associate professorship (ÜAK) | 55 | YDS, YÖKDİL or an accepted equivalent. |
| PhD programmes | 55 | Many universities ask for 60–70 or more. |
| Master's programmes | set by each university | Often around 50–55; some programmes taught in Turkish ask for none. |
| Research assistant / lecturer posts | 50 | The call (ilan) may require a higher score. |
How Long Is Your Score Valid?
- YDS, e-YDS and YÖKDİL scores are generally valid for five years for postgraduate applications and posts.
- For the language allowance, when the five years end without a new exam, the level drops by one (A → B, B → C), and at level C the allowance stops.
- Some uses, such as associate professorship applications, may accept older scores — check the current rules.
How Many Questions Is That?
- Each correct answer is worth 1.25 points and wrong answers do not cancel correct ones. So 44 correct answers = 55 points, 56 correct = 70 points and 64 correct = 80 points.
- Test yourself with a full practice exam in our YDS section to see how far you are from your target.