Frequently Asked Questions
The aim of the Turkish Preparatory Program is to enable international students to learn the basic rules of Turkish and, by developing their listening, reading, writing and speaking skills, to reach the level of language proficiency needed to follow their studies delivered in Turkish. The program aims for students to understand what they hear and read and to express their thoughts in both written and spoken form.
The Turkish Preparatory Program consists of four levels, each lasting nine weeks. The standard duration of the program is two semesters. Students receive 24 class hours of Turkish instruction per week according to their level. Instruction continues up to the B2 level, and students must successfully complete the B2 level in order to complete the program.
The Turkish Proficiency Exam (TMS) is held before the start of the academic year to determine students' Turkish language levels and whether they are exempt from the preparatory program. Exam dates are set in the academic calendar of the School of Foreign Languages and by decisions of the School's Executive Board. Students who score at least 70 out of 100 on the exam are exempt from the Turkish Preparatory Program. TMS-2, held at the end of the fall semester, is open to students enrolled in the Turkish Preparatory Program with a grade point average of at least 70.
In the Turkish Preparatory Program, the grade for each level is calculated from midterm assessment scores and the end-of-level exam score. Midterm assessments consist of tasks and assignments given in the second, fourth and sixth weeks of the nine-week level and account for 40% of the level grade. The end-of-level exam, which covers applied grammar as well as listening, reading, writing and speaking skills, accounts for 60% of the level grade.
The year-end grade is calculated by adding the scores the student received in the four levels and dividing the total by four. To successfully complete the Turkish Preparatory Program, students must successfully complete the B2 level, fulfill the attendance requirement and achieve an overall grade of at least 70 out of 100. Students who meet these requirements may begin their departmental courses and receive a certificate showing that they have successfully completed the B2 level.
Attendance is compulsory in the Turkish Preparatory Program. Students must attend at least 80% of the total class hours delivered during the Fall and Spring semesters. Students whose absences exceed 20% are considered to have failed due to absenteeism, and their year-end grade is recorded as “Fail”. Attendance is taken at every class hour, and each student is responsible for keeping track of their own attendance.
Students who do not complete or who fail the Turkish Preparatory Program may take the Turkish Proficiency Exam held at the beginning of the following academic year. Students who pass this exam are exempt from the preparatory program and may begin the courses of the department in which they are enrolled.
International students enrolled in Turkish-medium programs at Ankara Medipol University must demonstrate Turkish language proficiency before they can begin their departmental courses. Students who do not meet the exemption requirements set out in the directive must enroll in and successfully complete the Turkish Preparatory Program.
The following are accepted for exemption: a certificate or language document of at least B2 level obtained within the last two years from the İstanbul Medipol University Turkish Teaching Center, whose content is compatible with Ankara Medipol University's preparatory program; a C1 certificate obtained within the last two years from the Yunus Emre Institute's Turkish Proficiency Exam; and a certificate of achievement of at least C1 level obtained within the last two years from the e-YDTS administered by ÖSYM. Exemption requests must be submitted in writing to the Directorate of the School of Foreign Languages. Applications are evaluated and finalized by the Turkish Preparatory Unit Coordinator's Office.
Students who are unable to take an exam due to health problems must apply in writing to the Directorate of the School of Foreign Languages, with an official medical report documenting their condition, within five working days following the end of the report period. A make-up exam is organized for students whose excuse is accepted as valid by the Executive Board. Quizzes as well as project and assignment portfolio assessments are not covered by make-up exams.
Students who wish to appeal an exam result or request a re-evaluation must apply in person with a petition to the Directorate of the School of Foreign Languages within five working days of the announcement of the results. Applications are reviewed by the Directorate, and if a clerical error is found, the necessary correction is made within ten working days. The Directorate's decisions on these applications are final.