With the 2025 Higher Education Institutions Exam (YKS) just around the corner, Istanbul Rumeli University Guidance and Promotion Coordinator Cihan Kuzgun gave important advice to candidate students to manage the exam more efficiently and effectively. Stating that success can be achieved not only with knowledge but also with good motivation supported by the right tactics, Kuzgun stated that mental endurance plays a big role both before and during the exam.
Positive Thinking Promotes Success
Kuzgun drew attention to the effect of positive thinking on exam success, and emphasized that thoughts that include disaster scenarios such as “I will not be successful in the exam,” “My competitors are better than me,” or “The questions will definitely be very difficult” should be avoided. He said that such thoughts disrupt focus during the exam and negatively affect success.
Time Management Strategies
Kuzgun, who stated that the tactics that candidates will apply to pass the exam are not complicated, said that the results of regular mock exams will both motivate the person and reinforce exam strategies. Kuzgun, who touched on the importance of time management, reminded that 165 questions will be solved in 120 minutes, especially in TYT, and that this is an exam that measures interpretation and analysis skills as well as knowledge.
Kuzgun, who stated that 180 questions will be solved in 160 minutes for AYT, said that focusing on the tests according to the score type will allow candidates to use their time more efficiently. He emphasized the importance of determining a target time for each test, marking and passing the questions when necessary without being stubborn with them, and returning to these questions in the remaining time.
Tactics to Strengthen Focus
Kuzgun, who also made various suggestions to avoid distractions and maintain focus during the exam, said that candidates can use breathing techniques that will help them stay calm during the exam. He stated that techniques that involve deep breathing, such as the 4-7-8 breathing method, will help reduce exam anxiety.
Kuzgun emphasized that it is healthier to approach the exam with the understanding of “I have to solve it correctly” instead of the pressure of “I have to finish” and recommended that students focus only on their own booklets and optical form and not turn their attention to their surroundings in a way that will distract them. He said that if the focus is lost, closing your eyes for a few seconds and regrouping can be effective.
Ways to Cope with Exam Stress
Kuzgun, who recommended that candidates who feel bad during the exam take a short break from solving questions and take deep breaths to relax their bodies and minds, stated that taking short breaks between tests will help maintain attention levels. He also stated that physically supported methods such as reading questions by underlining them or doing things with a pen can be useful when attention is distracted.
Positive Statements and Small Goals are a Source of Morale
Kuzgun suggested that candidates use positive sentences to motivate themselves when exam stress is intense, and stated that they can relax with thoughts such as “I will do my best” or “This is just an exam, it does not determine my entire life.” He also emphasized that the exam is not the end of life, but just a step in it, saying, “Even saying to yourself ‘I did a good job, congratulations’ after finishing a page can boost your morale.”
Detailed information and visual material on the subject are attached. I present it to you for your evaluation and wish you good work.
