TÖMER (Turkish Teaching Center) is one of the leading institutions for anyone who wants to learn Turkish. It is an educational institution dedicated to teaching the Turkish language and culture, serving as an important language center for international students. The TÖMER (or Turkish Proficiency) exam is a language requirement for bachelor's, master's, and doctoral applicants who wish to study in Turkish at universities in Türkiye.
As GLC Study Abroad, in this blog we will explain what TÖMER is, how the exam works, and the advantages of obtaining a TÖMER certificate.
Anyone planning to study in Türkiye is generally required to demonstrate Turkish language proficiency. Students who do not have the required level of Turkish are usually enrolled in a one-year preparatory language program before starting their academic studies. For example, if a bachelor's program normally lasts four years, students without sufficient Turkish proficiency may spend an additional year studying Turkish before beginning their degree.
The TÖMER exam evaluates a student's ability to understand, speak, read, and write in Turkish. It consists of four main sections:
Listening Reading Writing Speaking
Each section measures a different aspect of language proficiency. The total exam duration is approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.
Duration: Approximately 30 minutes
Content: Audio recordings on various topics followed by comprehension questions.
Duration: Approximately 60 minutes
Content: Reading passages on different topics followed by comprehension questions.
Content: Writing essays or compositions on assigned topics to demonstrate written communication skills.
Duration: Approximately 10–15 minutes
Content: Conducted as an individual or paired interview to assess spoken Turkish proficiency.
The Turkish language proficiency exam is divided into six levels:
A1 – Unsuccessful (Not accepted by any university) A2 – Unsuccessful (Not accepted by any university) B1 – Pass (Accepted by some universities) B2 (55–70 points) – Pass (Accepted by many universities) C1 (71–88 points) – Pass (Accepted by approximately 95% of universities) C2 (89–100 points) – Pass (Fully accepted by all universities)
The TÖMER/TYS certificate is generally required for:
Students applying for bachelor's programs with a high school diploma Students applying through the YÖS (Foreign Student Examination) Master's degree applicants Doctoral (PhD) applicants Individuals who wish to work in Turkish public institutions or certain private companies
It is highly recommended that candidates review sample TÖMER exam questions before their exam date. Familiarizing yourself with the exam format can significantly improve your chances of success.
At GLC Study Abroad, we provide comprehensive professional support for students preparing for the TÖMER exam. We also offer TÖMER preparation courses to help students achieve the required language level.
Students who do not achieve the required TÖMER score are generally required to complete a one-year Turkish language preparation program. This results in both additional time and additional educational expenses.
Universities admitting students through YÖS generally require TÖMER/TYS scores of 65–70 or higher. Universities admitting students based on a high school diploma typically require scores starting from 55–60.
During the Turkish Proficiency Exam (Türkçe Yeterlilik Sınavı - TYS), candidates are evaluated according to the following six proficiency levels:
A1 – Unsuccessful (Not accepted by any university)
A2 – Unsuccessful (Not accepted by any university) B1 – Pass (Accepted by some universities) B2 (55–70 points) – Pass (Accepted by many universities) C1 (71–88 points) – Pass (Accepted by approximately 95% of universities) C2 (89–100 points) – Pass (Fully accepted by universities)
Regardless of your score, every candidate who takes the Turkish Proficiency Exam (TYS) receives an official certificate indicating their Turkish language proficiency level.
