YÖS Exam Fee (2025 to 2026): TR-YÖS vs University YÖS Costs, Payment, and Real Budgeting

If you’re planning to study in Turkey, the YÖS exam fee is one of the first costs you’ll face, and it’s also one of the easiest to misunderstand. People often ask for “the” YÖS fee, but there isn’t a single universal price that fits everyone.

That’s because there are two main routes: TR-YÖS (a central exam run by ÖSYM) and university-specific YÖS exams (run by individual universities that set their own rules). Fees also change by year, by country, and sometimes even by test center, so the only safe move is to confirm the current amount and payment page on the official exam site before you pay.

This guide explains how YÖS fees work in 2025 to 2026, what ranges students are seeing, and what else you should budget for so the exam cost doesn’t surprise your family at the last minute.

What is the YÖS exam in 2025 to 2026, and who sets the fee?

“YÖS” is short for a foreign-student entrance exam used for admissions in Turkey. In practice, students now see two different systems that happen to share the same nickname.

TR-YÖS (ÖSYM) is the centralized exam organized by ÖSYM (Turkey’s national exam authority). Many Turkish universities accept TR-YÖS scores for international student admissions, which means one exam can open doors at multiple schools, depending on each university’s policy.

University YÖS is an exam organized by a specific university (or sometimes a group of universities). That university sets the exam content, test locations, dates, and the fee, and the score is usually used for that university’s own admissions (and sometimes accepted by a limited set of partner schools).

One detail that affects your total cost is score validity. TR-YÖS scores are commonly valid for two years from the exam date, so timing matters. If you take the exam and then pause your plans, you might end up paying again later because your score expired, which can turn a “cheap” plan into a costly one.

TR-YÖS (ÖSYM) fee rules, countries, and why the price changes

For TR-YÖS, the fee isn’t the same everywhere. ÖSYM groups countries into pricing bands, so the exam can cost more in one place and less in another, even if it’s the same test and same date.

Based on late-2025 reported fee groupings for TR-YÖS, students were seeing these ranges:

• 900 TRY in lower-fee country groups
• 1,250 TRY in mid-fee country groups
• 2,700 TRY in high-fee country groups (this group includes Turkey and several other countries)

To make the number easier to picture, that’s often described as about $25 to $75 USD, depending on where you test and how your card converts the currency. Treat any USD number as a rough guide only, because exchange rates can shift sharply, and card issuers may add their own conversion fees.

Why does it change so much by location? Exam administration costs vary, and test centers in different countries have different pricing structures. The practical result is simple: the same student could pay very different amounts based only on where they sit for the exam.

University YÖS fees, why they vary so much, and what is included

University YÖS fees can feel unpredictable because each university sets its own price, rules, and payment method. Two schools can offer similar exams and still charge very different amounts.

In late 2025, many students reported university YÖS fees in a broad range of about 200 to 2,000 TRY (often described as roughly $6 to $55 USD). Some exams sit near the low end because the university wants high participation, while others cost more because of overseas centers, extra admin costs, or additional services.

Also, “the fee” may not include everything. Depending on the university and the exam center, you might see extra charges like:

• A small application system charge added at checkout
• Bank transfer fees (especially for international transfers)
• A printed document or certificate fee (if offered)

Some universities include these in one payment, others separate them, and the rules can differ across test centers even within the same exam.

How much is the YÖS exam fee right now, and what else should you budget for?

A smart plan treats the YÖS exam fee as the entry ticket, not the full cost of the trip. Families often budget only for the payment screen amount, then get surprised by travel, documents, and application charges that show up later.

Here’s a practical snapshot of fee ranges students commonly see for 2025 to 2026 planning, with the reminder that you must confirm the exact amount on the official site before paying:

Exam type	Who runs it	Typical fee range (TRY)	Typical fee range (USD, rough)	Why it changes
TR-YÖS	ÖSYM	900 to 2,700	$25 to $75	Country group, test location, exchange rate
University YÖS	Individual universities	200 to 2,000	$6 to $55	University policy, exam center, included services

Even if you find a lower exam fee, your total cost can still rise if you must travel to a far test city or pay for documents on a tight deadline. It helps to set a “true cost” budget early, then adjust once your test center and university list are final.

Typical total cost beyond the fee (travel, translations, and application costs)

Think of the process like packing for a trip: the suitcase is the exam fee, but the real cost is what you put inside it.

Common extra expenses include:

Travel to the exam city: If the nearest center is in another city (or another country), transportation can quickly cost more than the exam itself. Add local transport on test day, because arriving late can ruin months of prep.

Accommodation and food: Many students travel the day before, especially if the exam starts early. A one-night stay can be cheaper than risking a missed exam because of traffic, delays, or long check-in lines.

Passport and photo costs: Some students apply using a passport, and you’ll usually need recent biometric-style photos. It’s a small cost, but it’s a real one.

Document preparation: University applications often require a diploma, transcripts, and sometimes proof of graduation status. If documents are not in Turkish or English (depending on the school), you may need sworn translations, notarization, or both. Costs vary a lot by country, and the timing can be stressful if you leave it late.

Shipping and scanning: Some universities accept online uploads, but others still request mailed documents or originals at registration time. Courier fees can sting when deadlines are close.

University application fees: Some universities charge a separate application fee in addition to an exam fee, while others don’t. This matters if you apply to several schools.

Finally, be realistic about retakes. Most exams are not “free to retry.” If you sit for multiple university YÖS exams, you’ll pay each time, and if you miss a deadline you may lose that attempt entirely.

Refunds, cancellations, and late payment rules to watch for

Refund rules depend on who owns the exam, so always check the official policy before you pay. In many systems, once the registration window closes, refunds become limited or disappear, even if you have a good reason.

Also watch for late registration. A common pattern is that late registration exists but costs more, sometimes as a percentage increase, and the payment window may be very short. If you’re waiting for a passport renewal, travel permission, or exam prep results before registering, build in extra time so you don’t end up paying a late fee or missing the window.

If there’s any chance your plans will change, read the cancellation and refund section carefully, and take screenshots of the policy page for your records. Policies can update between seasons, and having proof of what you agreed to can save a lot of arguing later.

How to pay the YÖS exam fee safely, step by step

Payment mistakes waste time, and scams waste money. The safest approach is boring but effective: pay only inside official systems, confirm details twice, and keep proof like your future enrollment depends on it, because it might.

Use this quick checklist before you pay:

• Confirm the exam name and year (TR-YÖS vs a specific university’s YÖS)
• Confirm the test country and city you selected matches your plan
• Confirm the deadline for both registration and payment
• Check the exact amount in TRY, and expect conversion fees if your card is in another currency
• Pay only on the official website or official payment portal
• Save proof (receipt, application number, and payment status page)

Paying TR-YÖS fees through ÖSYM: what you need and what to save

TR-YÖS payments are typically handled through ÖSYM’s official candidate system and payment pages. While details can change by year, the usual flow looks like this:

You create or sign into your candidate account, complete the TR-YÖS application, select your test center, then pay online through the official payment area using a credit or debit card. If your bank account is in USD or EUR, your card provider converts the amount to Turkish Lira, and the final charge can differ slightly from what you estimated.

After payment, you’ll want to confirm the application status shows as paid, then download and save your exam entry document when it becomes available.

Save these items in more than one place (phone and email is fine):

• Your application or candidate number
• The payment receipt or transaction reference
• A screenshot of the status page showing payment completed
• The exam entry document when it’s released

If something goes wrong later, these are the items support teams usually ask for first.

Paying a university YÖS fee: common methods, common mistakes, and scam red flags

University YÖS payments can be smooth or messy, depending on the school. Common official payment methods include payment inside the university’s application portal, card payments on a university payment page, or a bank transfer to the university’s official account.

The details matter more than people expect. A small error can leave you “unpaid” even if you sent money, which can cancel your registration automatically.

Common mistakes that cause real problems:

Wrong reference number: Some universities require an application ID in the payment description. Without it, they can’t match the payment to your file.

Name mismatch: If the applicant name doesn’t match the application (different spelling, different passport name), the payment may be flagged for review.

Paying to the wrong account: Universities often publish official bank details, and scammers copy them with small changes. Always verify the account name and bank details directly on the official university site.

Scam red flags are usually obvious once you slow down:

• A request to pay through a social media link
• A request to pay into a personal bank account
• A “helper” sending payment details via WhatsApp that don’t match the university site
• Pressure tactics like “pay in 30 minutes or you’ll lose your seat”

If you want to reduce risk, keep your payments inside the official portal whenever possible, and keep the bank receipt or card transaction record as proof.

Conclusion

The YÖS exam fee depends on which route you choose and where you take the exam, so it’s normal to see different numbers even among friends applying in the same year. For 2025 to 2026 planning, students often see TR-YÖS fees around 900 to 2,700 TRY (roughly $25 to $75), while university YÖS exams often fall around 200 to 2,000 TRY (roughly $6 to $55), with real totals shaped by travel, documents, and application costs.

Before you pay, confirm the exact fee, deadlines, and payment page on the official ÖSYM or university website, then save every receipt and status screenshot. Pick your exam route, build a budget that includes the fee plus extras, and pay early so you don’t get hit with late fees or rushed mistakes, because planning is what keeps a simple exam payment from becoming an expensive problem.