What Is KPSS? Frequently Asked Questions About Türkiye’s Public Personnel Selection Exam
Taking the KPSS is one of the most important steps for anyone who wants to work in Türkiye’s public sector. But the KPSS can be confusing for many candidates: Which sessions should you take, who can apply and how are scores calculated? Following the KPSS Secondary Education exam taken by around 3 million candidates on 25 October 2026, we have answered the most frequently asked questions about the KPSS.
What Is KPSS and Who Can Apply?
The KPSS (Kamu Personeli Seçme Sınavı, or Public Personnel Selection Exam) is a centralized exam used to select candidates who want to work as civil servants or contract staff in government institutions. The exam is run by the Measuring, Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM), which handles both applications and results.
General Information About the KPSS
The KPSS is not a single exam but a family of exams organized by education level:
KPSS Bachelor’s (Lisans): General Aptitude-General Culture, Educational Sciences and Field Knowledge sessions for Group A positions
KPSS Associate Degree (Önlisans): General Aptitude-General Culture for associate degree graduates
KPSS Secondary Education (Ortaöğretim): General Aptitude-General Culture for high school graduates
DHBT: Religious Services Field Knowledge Test for religious services positions
The Bachelor’s, Associate Degree and Secondary Education exams used for Group B positions are held every two years, in even-numbered years. 2026 is one of these exam years.
Who Can Apply for the KPSS?
Each candidate applies for the exam that matches their education level. Bachelor’s graduates can also take the Associate Degree and Secondary Education exams; however, candidates can sit only one of these exams in the same exam period. Since each position may also have its own requirements, it is important to read the application guide carefully.
KPSS Application Requirements and Process
KPSS applications are made online through the ÖSYM Candidate Transactions System (ais.osym.gov.tr) or at ÖSYM application centers, on the dates announced by ÖSYM.
How to Apply for the KPSS
Log in to the ÖSYM system: Sign in to the Candidate Transactions System with your Turkish ID number and ÖSYM password, or with your e-Devlet credentials.
Check your details: Make sure your identity, contact and education information is up to date.
Pay the exam fee: Your application is complete once the fee is paid. Payment methods and the current fee are listed in each exam’s guide.
Confirm your application: Check your application status in the system and download your exam entry document before the exam date.
2026 KPSS Calendar
According to ÖSYM’s 2026 calendar, KPSS exam and result dates are as follows:
KPSS Bachelor’s (General Aptitude-General Culture and Educational Sciences): Exam on 6 September 2026, results on 7 October 2026
KPSS Group A Field Knowledge: Exam on 12-13 September 2026, results on 7 October 2026
KPSS Associate Degree: Exam on 4 October 2026, results on 30 October 2026
KPSS Secondary Education: Exam on 25 October 2026, results on 19 November 2026
DHBT: Exam on 1 November 2026, results on 25 November 2026
Dates may change, so always check the latest calendar at osym.gov.tr.
How Is the KPSS Exam Structured?
In the Bachelor’s, Associate Degree and Secondary Education exams, the main session consists of General Aptitude and General Culture tests. For example, in the 2026 KPSS Secondary Education exam, candidates answered 120 questions in 130 minutes: 60 General Aptitude and 60 General Culture.
Which Sections Are in the KPSS?
General Aptitude: Turkish (word and sentence meaning, paragraph comprehension, grammar) and mathematics (basic math, problems, numerical reasoning and geometry)
General Culture: History, geography, citizenship and current affairs
In addition, teacher candidates take the Educational Sciences and Teaching Field Knowledge (ÖABT) sessions, while candidates aiming for Group A positions take the Field Knowledge sessions.
What Topics Do KPSS Questions Cover?
The questions measure candidates’ basic reasoning skills and general knowledge. While the topic distribution is largely similar each year, the current affairs section changes depending on the exam year. That is why solving past exam questions and following current events are an important part of preparation.
How Is the KPSS Score Calculated?
First, the net score for each test is calculated. When calculating the net, 4 wrong answers cancel out 1 correct answer, so wrong answers lower your score. Blank answers do not affect the net. The nets are then converted into standard scores and weighted according to the score type to calculate your KPSS score out of 100.
Score types vary by education level: KPSSP3 is used for Bachelor’s graduates, KPSSP93 for Associate Degree graduates and KPSSP94 for Secondary Education graduates.
To see your estimated score right away by entering your correct and wrong answers, you can use our KPSS score calculator.
How Long Is a KPSS Score Valid?
KPSS scores are valid for the period stated in the relevant exam guide. Scores used for Group B positions can generally be used until the next exam, which means about two years. During this period, you can use the same score in central placements and institutional recruitment.
Conclusion: The Right Information Leads to the Right Step in the KPSS
The KPSS is one of the most important gateways for anyone aiming for a career in Türkiye’s public sector. Following the exam calendar, completing applications on time and preparing for the right score type are the most important steps on the way to becoming a public employee. While you wait for your results, do not miss out on opportunities in the private sector.
Create your profile on İşin Olacak, apply for job listings that match your career goals and take the first step towards shaping your future!
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