20.06.2026 14:10
The plight of a Russian student in Alanya, Antalya, broke hearts. Amina Ozova, who said she had been preparing for the university entrance exam for four years, could not hold back her tears when she was not allowed to take the exam because her residence permit was classified as "short-term."
Thousands of students flocked to exam centers early in the morning for the first session of the Higher Education Institutions Exam (YKS), organized by the Measurement, Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM), the Basic Proficiency Test (TYT). After checking IDs and documents, candidates were admitted to the halls, while families continued their anxious wait in schoolyards and surrounding areas. A total of 16,569 students sweated for their futures in the exam held at 30 test centers across Alanya. While students experienced exam excitement inside, families waited outside with prayers for their children.
"I HAVE BEEN STUDYING FOR THIS EXAM FOR 4 YEARS"
Amina Ozova, a Russian national and student at Alanya Oba Nazmi Yilmaz Anatolian High School, who came to ALKU Faculty of Engineering to take the exam, shed tears, stating that she was not admitted to the exam because her residence permit document did not say "long-term." Ozova said, "I have been studying for the YKS exam for 4 years. I came to the exam today, but they did not let me take it. Because my ID is short-term, and they require a long-term ID. No information about this was given at school. One year of my life went to waste. I want to go to medical school, but they do not let me take the exam. I do not know what to do. The school did not tell me that I could not take the exam with a short-term ID."
"WE ARE ALWAYS WITH OUR CHILDREN"
Gazi Akca, 54, who brought his daughter to the exam, wished all candidates success, saying, "Today we set out on a blessed path for our children. Hopefully, it will be good for them as well. We are always behind our children. We strive for them to be good children to their homeland and nation. We wish all students taking the exam success and a blessed exam."