With the 2025 Higher Education Institutions Exam (YKS) just days away, exam anxiety and uncertainty can put pressure on students. During this critical period, it is of great importance for candidates to minimize exam stress, keep their motivation high, and make the most of the remaining time. Istanbul Rumeli University Guidance and Promotion Coordinator Cihan Kuzgun provided valuable advice to YKS candidates on the strategies they should follow during this final stretch and the keys to success. Emphasizing that the basis for success in the exam is a “personalized and applicable study program,” Kuzgun states that students should go through this final period systematically and consciously.
Mock Exams: Simulation of the Real Exam
Cihan Kuzgun, who stated that mock exams have an indispensable place in the YKS preparation process, stated that the frequency of solving mock exams should be increased in this last period. It is recommended that students first reinforce the topics piece by piece with branch mock exams, then do a rehearsal exam with full mock exams in the TYT (Basic Proficiency Test) and AYT (Field Proficiency Tests) format. Kuzgun, who draws attention to the importance of solving mock exams at 10.15 in the morning, the time when the real exam will be held, says that this practice will help students' biological clocks adapt to the exam tempo on the exam day. Mock exams play a critical role not only in measuring knowledge levels, but also in managing the exam time, getting familiar with different question types and developing exam strategies.
Trial Analysis: Compass of Deficiencies
Emphasizing that just solving mock exams is not enough, Kuzgun states that detailed analyses conducted after mock exams are at least as important as solving them. Students need to carefully examine each question they made wrong in the mock exams, understand the reasons for these mistakes, and identify missing or incorrectly learned topics. After identifying the topics they made wrong, it is of great importance to return to these topics again to eliminate deficiencies and ensure correct learning. Mock exam analysis allows students to clearly see their strengths and weaknesses, allowing them to shape their study strategies accordingly.
Topic Review and Test Practice: The Way to Permanently Learn
In this last period approaching YKS, Kuzgun states that repetition of previously learned information should be a priority rather than learning new topics, and expresses that it is critical to review topics that are frequently made mistakes, especially in mock exams. After each topic review, it is recommended to gain practice and reinforce knowledge by solving short tests related to the relevant topic. These tests help to permanently learn missing topics and to be prepared for similar questions that may be encountered in the exam. Repetition and test practice ensure that the information learned is more firmly established in the mind and provides ease of recall at the time of the exam.
Paragraph and Problem Questions: Routine Solution Habit
Cihan Kuzgun, who emphasizes that one of the important skills that directly affects success in TYT and AYT exams is paragraph and problem solving skills, recommends students to acquire the habit of solving a certain number of paragraph and problem questions every day. This routine will significantly improve students' reading comprehension, interpretation, inference and quick solution skills. These skills also provide a great advantage in terms of time management in the exam and increase the probability of students answering more questions correctly.
Taking Time for Yourself and Managing Stress: Mental Balance
Kuzgun, who emphasizes that in addition to academic preparation, spiritual and mental health also play an important role in exam success, states that candidates should not completely restrict their social lives during this intense process. Factors such as spending time with family and friends, spending time on favorite activities, and regular sleep and nutrition help reduce exam stress and keep motivation high. Students taking time to rest and relax will positively affect their exam performance.
Getting to Know the YKS System and Being Prepared for Surprises
Kuzgun, who stated that another important aspect of exam strategies is to know the exam system well, recommends students to solve previous years' questions from both TYT and AYT exams and carefully examine the achievements determined by the Ministry of National Education (MEB). In this way, students can gain important information about the general logic of the exam, question styles, weight of the topics and difficulty levels, and can be more prepared for possible surprises that may be encountered in the exam.
Finally, Cihan Kuzgun conveys the following important message to YKS candidates: “Remember that in this difficult process, what is important is not only to work hard, but also to work correctly and effectively. Know your own learning pace, honestly accept your shortcomings and use this remaining valuable time in the most efficient way. Trust yourself, be planned and keep your composure. May success be with you.”
