Turkey Ministry of National Education announces new exam system and holiday schedule

The Turkish Ministry of National Education (MEB) has launched the Common Written Exam System (OYSS) for the 2026-2027 academic year. The new system, aligned with the Turkey Century Education Model, aims to move beyond rote memorization by focusing on analytical thinking, problem-solving, and the application of knowledge through open-ended questions. The first round of exams for middle and high school students is scheduled to take place between November 3 and November 13, 2026.

In addition to the new assessment framework, the Ministry has released the official academic calendar. The first mid-term break for students will begin on November 16, 2026, and end on November 20, 2026. Including weekends, students will have a nine-day break before returning to classes on November 23, 2026. The calendar also specifies the dates for the semester break starting January 25, 2027, and the second mid-term break in March 2027.