ÖSYM's Preference Guide Delay Victimized Millions of Candidates: Urgent Call from Eğitim Sen!

Ankara, Turkey - Although the results of the 2025 Higher Education Institutions Examination (YKS), which millions of university candidates were eagerly awaiting, were announced on July 19, the uncertainties during the preference period turned into a major crisis. The preference process, which would normally start on July 30, has been postponed due to the fact that ÖSYM (Measurement, Selection and Placement Center) did not publish the "preference guide" with the excuse of "we could not raise it". According to the new regulation, candidates will only be able to make their preferences between 1-13 August 2025. This has left more than 2,350,000 candidates and their families deeply concerned and victimized.

Past Applications on the Shelf: An Unprecedented Delay by ÖSYM

In the past, ÖSYM published the preference guide long before the exam results were announced so that candidates and counselors could manage a healthy preference process. This gave students enough time to research departments, familiarize themselves with universities and make informed decisions in line with their career goals. Counselors used to organize their annual education plans and counseling activities according to this calendar. However, the situation this year has completely abolished this long-established tradition, and ÖSYM's failure to publish the guide until the last moment has created a smokescreen over the future of millions of young people.

Candidates cannot predict which departments they will be placed in with their scores and rankings, making it impossible for them to create their preference lists. Education experts say this uncertainty demoralizes students, increases their stress levels and negatively affects their ability to make the right choice. Moreover, guidance counselors, who provide intensive counseling services during preference periods, have to revise their annual leaves and work schedules due to these sudden changes, which creates an additional disruption in the system.

Harsh Criticism from Eğitim Sen: "Institutional Incompetence and Public Irresponsibility"

One of Turkey's well-established education unions, Eğitim Sen, reacted strongly to this situation. In its statement, the union said, "In these days when all public institutions are dragged into structural problems and functioning is disrupted, the higher education system and ÖSYM are also in institutional inadequacy." The union emphasized that these structural problems create uncertainty for the future of millions of young people and pose a clear risk of victimization.

Eğitim Sen made an urgent call to ÖSYM, stating that the preference guide should be announced as soon as possible. The statement also underlined that ÖSYM should urgently review its institutional mechanisms and resolve its chronic structural problems. "In order to do so, ÖSYM should prioritize the public good and fulfill its responsibilities towards millions of students and society," the union said, pointing out that ÖSYM is more than just an exam center, it is a critical institution that shapes the future of young people.

Future Anxiety Increases: What to do?

This setback raises questions not only for 2025 YKS candidates, but also for the functioning of the entire education system and the effectiveness of public institutions. Experts state that ÖSYM should not only publish the preference guide, but also follow a transparent communication policy and share the reasons for this delay with the public in detail. It is also emphasized that institutional infrastructure should be strengthened and crisis management mechanisms should be established to prevent similar problems in the future.

ÖSYM's attitude during this process has been a source of great disappointment and anxiety for millions of young people who dream of university. It is crucial that ÖSYM and relevant institutions take action as soon as possible to ensure that the preference process is completed in a fair, transparent and stress-free manner.