6 February 2010 / TODAY’S ZAMAN, İSTANBUL
The spring semester starts on Monday, with 15 million elementary, middle and high school students returning to school as the two-week-long winter break, which started on Jan. 22, ends. Having started on Sept. 14, the 2009-2010 academic year will end on June 18.
The second semester will be full of examinations for middle and high school students. Middle school students will take the Level Determination Examination (SBS) on June 5, 6 and 12. The new university entrance examination system will be used for the first time this year. Under the new system, students will first take the Transition to Higher Education Examination (YGS), and those who pass will take the Undergraduate Placement Examination (LYS) to gain admission to an undergraduate department. Students who only take the YGS will be able to apply for associate degree programs. The YGS will take place on April 11 and the LYS on June 19-20 and June 26-27. The application date for the YGS, which started on Jan. 18, will end on Feb. 12, while the sign-up dates for the LYS are between May 3 and 14.
