Is TR-YÖS Preference Order Important? How Is Placement Done?

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Is TR-YÖS Preference Order Important? Placement Guide

TR-YÖS preference order can be important in university placements. However, unlike the YKS, there is no single centralized preference system for TR-YÖS that covers all universities. After receiving their TR-YÖS results, candidates submit their preferences through the international student application systems of the universities they wish to apply to. Universities may consider criteria such as the TR-YÖS score, program quota, preference order, and in some cases country/nationality quotas together during placement. Therefore, it is important to rank preferences starting with the most desired program. YÖK also states that candidates apply directly to universities for international student admissions and that evaluations are carried out by the universities.

Is TR-YÖS Preference Order Important?

Yes, TR-YÖS preference order is directly one of the placement criteria at some universities.

However, it would not be correct to say that all universities use the same system. ÖSYM administers the TR-YÖS exam, but ÖSYM does not carry out university placement. Each university evaluates candidates according to its own international student admission directive and application guide.

For example, Marmara University explicitly states that candidates are placed in only one program by taking their preference order into consideration.

Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University, on the other hand, considers the following together in placement:

the candidate’s placement score,
preference order,
the number of students to be admitted from the same nationality.

Therefore, preferences should not be ranked randomly.

Are TR-YÖS Preferences Submitted Through ÖSYM?

No. This is one of the most important differences between TR-YÖS and YKS.

In YKS, candidates use the centralized preference system published by ÖSYM, while candidates applying to universities with a TR-YÖS result apply directly to the universities.

According to YÖK’s explanation regarding international student admissions, candidates must meet the exam and score requirements determined by the relevant university, apply directly to the university with their documents, and be evaluated by the university.

For example, if a student wants to apply in the same year to different universities such as:

Marmara University,
Istanbul University,
Sakarya University,
Erciyes University,

the student must complete the application procedures separately in each university’s application system. A preference made at one university does not directly affect the application at another university.

How Does TR-YÖS Placement Work?

Although the details vary by university, the general placement process works as follows:

The candidate checks the university’s application requirements.
The candidate uploads a valid TR-YÖS result to the application system.
The candidate makes preferences among the programs for which their score is sufficient.
The university checks valid applications.
Candidates are ranked according to the relevant evaluation score.
Program quotas are taken into consideration.
Preference order is included in the evaluation according to the university’s rules.
If applicable, a country/nationality quota is applied.
Principal and, where applicable, reserve candidates who are placed are announced.

At Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University, the placement scores of eligible candidates are first ranked from highest to lowest; then score level, preference order, and nationality quota are taken into consideration in placement.

This structure shows that a high TR-YÖS score alone is not always the only criterion.

Should Preferences Start with the Most Desired Program?

Generally, yes.

If a university takes preference order into consideration during placement, you should place the program you truly want to study higher on your list.

For example, your preference list might be:

Computer Engineering
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Industrial Engineering
Mechanical Engineering

If the candidate wants to study Computer Engineering the most, it may not be appropriate to place this program fourth simply because they think “my score may not be enough.”

Marmara University requires candidates applying for the 2026-2027 academic year to make their preferences from among the programs listed in the guide and states that placement is carried out in accordance with the rules determined by the university. The university’s placement page also explicitly states that preference order is taken into consideration.

Which Is More Important: A High Score or Preference Order?

There is no single answer to this question that applies to all universities.

At some universities, the primary criterion is a higher placement score. Preference order may then be taken into account when determining which program the candidate will be placed in or in the event of a tie.

In its current system, Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University first ranks candidates’ scores from highest to lowest and evaluates both score level and preference order during placement. Among candidates with the same score, priority is first given according to preference order, and if the tie continues, the younger candidate is given priority.

Therefore, there is no general rule such as:

“If I put the program as my first preference, I will rank ahead of a candidate who scored 50 points higher than me.”

The TR-YÖS score is a strong determining factor in most systems. Preference order may also become important depending on the university’s placement algorithm.

Is Preference Order Important for Candidates with the Same Score?

At some universities, yes.

For example, Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University considers preference order first when candidates have the same placement score. If the tie continues, priority is given to the younger candidate.

However, another university may consider:

high school diploma grade,
date of birth,
mathematics score,
exam ranking.

Therefore, the current placement rules of the university to which the application will be submitted should be reviewed separately.

Is Meeting the Minimum TR-YÖS Score Enough for Placement?

No.

The minimum TR-YÖS score announced for a program is generally the minimum threshold required for an application to be considered. For example, suppose the minimum score for a program is 350.

If the quota is 5 students and the scores of the applicants are:

the candidate who scored 360 may meet the minimum requirement but still not be placed in the program because of the quota.

Marmara University also explicitly states that meeting the application requirements does not mean acceptance for placement and that the university is free to fill or not fill its quotas.

Therefore, the “minimum application score” and the “score of the last admitted candidate” are not the same concept.

If I Am Not Placed in My First Preference, Will My Second Preference Be Evaluated?

This depends on the university’s placement system.

In a system that evaluates preferences in order, if a candidate is not placed in their first preference due to quota limitations or score requirements, the subsequent preferences may be evaluated.

However, during the evaluation:

the quota may already be full,
there may be candidates with higher scores,
the country quota may be full,
the program’s specific application requirement may not have been met.

Therefore, listing a program in the preference list does not automatically create a right to placement.

At some universities, a candidate is placed in only one program. Marmara University also states that candidates are placed in only one program by taking their preference order into consideration.

Does the Number of Preferences Vary by University?

Yes.

There is no fixed rule across Türkiye for TR-YÖS such as “5 preferences” or “10 preferences.”

Each university may determine in its own application guide:

how many preferences can be made,
whether preferences can be changed,
how many programs can be selected from the same faculty,
which programs can be selected.

Therefore, the number of preferences allowed by one university should not be assumed to apply to another university. Before completing the application form, the quota table and program-specific requirements should definitely be checked.

Does a Country Quota Affect TR-YÖS Placement?

Yes, it may affect placement at some universities.

In international student admissions, limits may be imposed on the proportion of students from the same country who can be admitted to a particular program or faculty.

For example, Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University applies, as one of its placement criteria, a rule that the number of admitted candidates of the same nationality must not exceed a specified proportion of the program quota.

Marmara University also applies a country quota in international student placement.

Therefore, even if two candidates have similar TR-YÖS scores, their citizenship status and the occupancy level of the relevant country quota may affect the result.

What Should Be Considered When Making TR-YÖS Preferences?

When creating a preference list, the name of the university should not be the only factor taken into consideration.

First, the following information should be checked:

the program’s minimum TR-YÖS score,
international student quota,
language of instruction,
annual tuition fee,
preparatory class,
Turkish or foreign language proficiency requirement,
country quota,
special program requirements,
number of preferences,
placement method.

Preferences should then be arranged according to the order of the programs the student genuinely wants to study.

For example, if the candidate’s main goal is Dentistry, before placing a less desired program in the first position simply because they think it is “safer,” they should review the relevant university’s preference and placement system.

Can You Apply to Multiple Universities with TR-YÖS?

Yes.

You can apply separately to different universities using the same TR-YÖS result. Making preferences at one university generally does not prevent you from applying to another university.

For example, if the candidate meets the requirements, they can use the same TR-YÖS result to submit separate applications to:

Marmara University,
Sakarya University,
Erciyes University,
another public or foundation university.

If the student receives admission offers from multiple universities, they can choose the university where they wish to register.

Common Mistakes in TR-YÖS Placement

The most common mistakes made during the preference period are:

not giving importance to preference order,
assuming that the minimum score guarantees placement,
not checking the program quota,
looking only at the university’s general application score,
overlooking a higher program-specific score requirement,
not checking the language of instruction,
not taking the country quota into consideration,
exiting the system without saving the application,
assuming that changes can be made after the preference period has ended.

In university admissions with TR-YÖS, the current guide of each university should be taken as the basis. The number of preferences, evaluation method, tie-breaking rules, and country quotas may vary by university.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TR-YÖS preference order important?

Yes. Some universities use preference order directly as a placement criterion. Marmara University and Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University are examples of universities that take preference order into consideration during evaluation.

Are TR-YÖS preferences submitted through ÖSYM?

No. ÖSYM administers the TR-YÖS exam, but international student placement is not centrally carried out by ÖSYM. Candidates use the application systems of the universities directly.

Does placing a program as the first preference increase the chance of placement?

In systems where the university takes preference order into consideration, placing a program higher on the list is important. However, preference order does not automatically take priority over a higher TR-YÖS score.

Is a candidate with a higher TR-YÖS score always placed first?

It depends on the university’s evaluation method. A higher score is generally one of the main criteria, but additional criteria such as preference order, quota, and country quota may also affect the result.

Will I definitely be placed if I exceed the minimum score?

No. The minimum score may be the threshold required to apply. Due to quotas and the scores of other candidates, a candidate who exceeds the minimum score may still not be placed.

If two candidates have the same score, which one is placed?

It varies by university. For example, at KSÜ, in the event of equal scores, preference order is considered first, and if the tie continues, priority is given to the younger candidate.

How many preferences can be made with TR-YÖS?

There is no fixed number of preferences across Türkiye. Universities determine the number of preferences in their own guides. Therefore, the current preference rules of the university being applied to should be checked.

Sources

Council of Higher Education – International Student Admission: candidates apply directly to universities, and evaluation procedures are carried out by the universities.