Who can take TUS?
Anyone who has graduated from a medical school in Türkiye can apply to TUS. Graduation date is not important; those who graduated years ago can also enter.
6th grade students (intern doctors) who are in their internship period can apply to TUS and take the exam. However, they must have completed their graduation in order to make a choice.
Graduates of a medical school outside of Turkey must obtain a "medical doctor equivalence certificate" in order to take TUS. This document is issued through the coordination of YÖK and the Ministry of Health. They cannot make a preference for TUS before the equivalence process is completed (in some periods, application for the exam may be allowed, but equivalence is a requirement for placement).
How Many Times Can I Take TUS?
There is no number of restrictions to take TUS (Medical Specialization Exam). In other words, candidates can take the exam as many times as they want and make a new choice for each exam. However; It is necessary to re-apply and pay a fee for TUS each time.
If someone who has previously completed a specialization and started their education passes the TUS again, they can leave their previous education and switch to a new branch. There may be some administrative restrictions or waiting periods for physicians who voluntarily leave their specialization training.
How many minutes does the TUS exam take?
The Medical Specialization Education Entrance Examination (TUS) consists of two sessions and lasts 270 minutes in total (4 hours 30 minutes).
Sessions and Durations
- Basic Medical Sciences Test (TTBT)
- Number of Questions: 100
- Time: 135 minutes
- Start time: 10:15
- Clinical Medical Sciences Test (CTST)
- Number of Questions: 100
- Time: 135 minutes
- Start time: 14:45
In each session, 100 questions are asked to candidates and each session lasts 135 minutes. The exam is organized by ÖSYM twice a year, usually in the spring and autumn semesters.
What Courses Are Available in TUS?
TUS (Medical Specialization Exam) consists of two tests and each test covers different subject areas. These courses measure the knowledge learned in medical school and include basic and clinical sciences. In basic sciences, topics such as Pharmacology, Pathology, Microbiology have a high percentage of questions. In clinical sciences, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics are the areas with the most questions. Each course has standard distribution rates determined by ÖSYM, but there may be minor fluctuations.
Is Foreign Language Proficiency Required for TUS?
There is no foreign language proficiency requirement to take TUS (Medical Specialization Education Entrance Examination).
However, some candidate groups may require a foreign language score to begin specialization training.
A foreign language certificate (YDS, e-YDS, TOEFL, etc.) is not required for TUS entrance exam. Anyone who has graduated from a medical school can take the exam.
Foreign Language Requirement to Start Specialist Training
Foreign language scores are not required for Medical Graduates (TC citizens) in Türkiye. Those who are placed with TUS scores can start specialization even if they do not have a language score.
For Foreign Medical Graduates (Those who have received equivalence), even if they have passed TUS, in order to start specialization training: They must get at least 50 points from YDS or an equivalent exam. This condition is to show official language proficiency. The Ministry of Health or YÖK requires this score.
How is TUS Score Calculated?
TUS score is the average of the standard scores calculated according to the candidate's net scores in the Basic Medical Sciences Test (TTBT) and Clinical Medical Sciences Test (KTBT) sessions. This calculation is made with the formula determined by ÖSYM.
Calculating Raw Nets
In each test: Number of correct answers – (Number of wrong answers ÷ 4) = Net (So 4 wrong answers cancel out 1 correct answer.)
Calculation of Standard Scores (SP)
ÖSYM for each candidate:
- TTBT Standard Score (SP1)
- Calculates the KTBT Standard Score (SP2).
This process is done according to the average and standard deviation of the exam. In other words, a weighted score is given according to the general success level, not according to everyone's net score.
TUS Placement Score (TUS Score)
The contribution of both tests is weighted equally at 50%.
What is the TUS threshold score?
There is no fixed minimum score (cut-off score) officially determined by ÖSYM to be able to make a TUS preference. In other words, you can make a preference as long as you take the exam and get a score. However; In order to make a preference, you must have a valid score in TUS. Zero or very low scores usually do not mean anything in preference, but technically, there is no obstacle for you to make a preference from the system.
Each branch has its own base score in terms of placement chances. For example, for some popular or low-quota branches, the base score may be over 60.
In practice, candidates generally try to get around 45-50 or above to make a choice and get placed. Because the lowest placement scores are around this area. If your target is a certain branch, it would be more efficient to examine the base scores of that branch in recent years and prepare.
When Does Assistantship Start After Passing TUS?
After passing TUS and completing the registration process, specialization training usually starts in September, which is the beginning of the academic year. In some institutions, depending on the placement date, training may start in August or September.
The duration of the assistantship varies depending on the branch, but generally lasts between 4-6 years. During this period, theoretical training, practical application, shifts and scientific research are carried out.
