Educational program
In addition to general English courses, American Time Language Schools also offer preparation programs for national and international exams. These exam preparation programs focus on past exam questions, exam techniques, and exam tips. Students enrolled in any of our exam programs can freely benefit from all activity classes and other facilities available to other American Time students.
National Exams
YDT (Foreign Language Test):
It is an exam organized by ÖSYM (Measuring, Selection and Placement Center) for the selection and placement of students who want to enter higher education programs primarily based on language scores.
The Higher Education Institutions Exam (YKS) is conducted in two sessions: the Core Proficiency Test (TYT) and the Advanced Proficiency Test (AYT).
Candidates who want to enter a higher education program with a language score are not required to take the AYT test. Therefore, the details of AYT will not be covered here.
In calculating your YKS Language score, 40% of your TYT result and 60% of your YDT result are considered.
Basic Proficiency Test (TYT) – It is held on a Saturday in June. It consists of 40 questions each in Turkish and Basic Mathematics, and 20 questions each in Science and Social Sciences. The total is 120 questions, and the duration is 165 minutes.
Foreign Language Test (YDT) – It is held on Sunday afternoon following the TYT. It is conducted in English, German, French, Russian, and Arabic. The total is 80 questions, and the duration is 120 minutes.
YDS (Foreign Language Proficiency Test):
It is an exam conducted by ÖSYM to determine the level of English proficiency. It has replaced KPDS and ÜDS. Not only those pursuing an academic career at a university but also those seeking a language allowance in the public sector, as well as many private sector organizations, accept this exam in their recruitment processes.
The total is 80 questions, and incorrect answers do not affect the score. The duration is 180 minutes. Each correct answer is worth 1.25 points, and the YDS score is calculated with the formula: correct answers x 1.25. It is held at least two times a year. Applications are made online through the ÖSYM website. The entrance fee is currently ₺490. Results are available within a month.
e-YDS:
The difference from YDS is that it is conducted electronically. The difficulty levels and scoring systems are the same. The exam is valid for 5 years.
Although it may vary depending on the relevant public institution and university, a score of 70 is generally sufficient for an academic career and receiving a language allowance.
For TUS and DUS candidates, YDS, e-YDS, TIPDİL, and YÖKDİL exams are accepted as proficiency exams.
YÖKDİL (Higher Education Institutions Foreign Language Exam):
YÖKDİL exam questions are prepared by Ankara University, and the exam organization is carried out by Anadolu University. It was created for academics to take a foreign language exam appropriate to their terminology. The total is 80 questions, and the duration is 180 minutes. It is held twice a year, and the fee is ₺490. The scoring system is the same as YDS, and it is valid wherever YDS is accepted.
It is conducted in three different fields: science, health, and social sciences. The exams in the fields of science and health are conducted in English, while the exams in the field of social sciences are conducted in English, German, Arabic, and French.
TIPDİL:
It is held twice a year. It is an alternative foreign language exam for TUS and DUS candidates to obtain language exemption in addition to YDS. It is conducted in English, German, and French. The total is 80 questions, and the duration is 150 minutes.
YÖS (Foreign Student Exam):
It is the exam taken by students who are not Turkish citizens and wish to pursue undergraduate or associate degree education at any university in Turkey. Until 2011, the YÖS exam was conducted by ÖSYM, but since then, the right to conduct the exam has been given directly to the universities.
Universities that do not conduct their own YÖS exams can accept the results of YÖS exams conducted by other universities and may even offer scholarships based on the exam results.
The exam consists of two parts: Turkish and Basic Learning Skills. The Turkish test does not affect the entrance score and is not mandatory. Those who do not answer or do not score sufficiently in the Turkish test will need to take Turkish preparatory courses. The Basic Learning Skills test can be conducted in different languages. The questions in Basic Learning Skills consist of mathematics, geometry, and logic (reasoning) questions.
Students enrolled in our YÖS preparation programs can register for English and all other language education programs with a 40% discount and participate in our English activity programs for free.
International Exam Preparation Programs
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language):
TOEFL is one of the most widely accepted tests of English proficiency in the world. Over 7,000 educational institutions, government agencies, professional organizations, and companies in 130 countries accept these test results as an indicator of English proficiency and evaluate the results accordingly. Many universities and educational institutions accept this test in place of exemption exams, and many companies and organizations consider TOEFL scores in hiring or promotions. TOEFL measures the reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills of candidates. The exam consists of four main sections (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) and is conducted online or in an authorized test center. TOEFL is administered by the US-based ETS (Educational Testing Service) and authorized test centers.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System):
IELTS is one of the most widely accepted tests of English proficiency. It is designed to measure the English language level of candidates who want to study or work in environments where English is used. More than 6,000 educational institutions, government agencies, professional organizations, and companies in over 120 countries accept these test results as an indicator of English proficiency and evaluate them accordingly. Especially for entry to higher education institutions in the UK, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United States, and for exemption from English preparatory classes at some universities in Turkey, this exam score is accepted. IELTS measures the language knowledge, reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills of candidates. The exam consists of four main sections (reading, writing, listening, and speaking).
FCE (First Certificate in English):
This exam proves that your general English knowledge is sufficient for studying or working in an English-speaking environment. It is conducted by Cambridge University. Many universities in the UK refer to FCE for language proficiency. It consists of five sections: reading, writing, grammar, listening, and speaking. The speaking section may not be on the same day. The speaking exam is taken with two different examiners and another candidate. The FCE exam score is valid for life and does not have an expiration period like many other exams.
TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication):
TOEIC, created by the US-based ETS (Educational Testing Service), focuses on English communication skills specifically for the business world and aims to measure proficiency. Each year, over 5 million candidates worldwide take this test. TOEIC questions are prepared using examples of speech and writing commonly used in daily work environments. Many institutions and companies accept the results of this test as an indicator to understand the English proficiency levels of candidates in job applications, language compensation, or promotions. The exam consists of four main sections (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) and is conducted online. TOEIC is administered by ETS-authorized test centers.
GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test):
This exam is required for candidates who want to pursue an MBA (Master of Business Administration) at universities abroad. It is administered by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). GMAT consists of four sections: analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Verbal, and Quantitative. The total time allocated for these four sections is 2 hours and 15 minutes with one optional 10-minute break.
GRE (Graduate Record Examinations):
This test is required for pursuing a master's or doctoral degree in engineering, science, and information technology departments at universities offering English education worldwide, primarily in the United States. It is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). GRE consists of three main sections: Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning.
SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test):
This exam is required for those who want to pursue university education in the United States. It is required of every US citizen who wants to pursue undergraduate education, and it is also required by some universities from foreign students. Universities generally require the SAT 1 exam, but depending on the department and school you want to study at, you may also need to take the SAT 2 exam. SAT 1 (Reasoning Test) is a general aptitude and knowledge test that takes about three hours and consists of two sections: Quantitative and Verbal. SAT 2 (Subject Tests) is a one-hour multiple-choice exam that measures your knowledge in areas such as biology, chemistry, physics, and history.
CAE (Certificate in Advanced English):
The CAE exam, conducted by Cambridge University, certifies the Advanced level in the business world and educational institutions. It measures whether the student has sufficient advanced English proficiency. It corresponds to level C1 in the European language passport. The questions are based on real-world topics. Those who speak English at this level can follow all academic courses at universities. They can communicate at a professional level in the business world. The certificate is accepted as an entry requirement by most universities in the UK.
CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English):
This is the highest-level exam in the Cambridge English exam package. Obtaining a CPE certificate shows that a student knows English at a level close to that of a native speaker and can study or work in all environments where English is used. The CPE exam is accepted as a high level of achievement in learning English by more than 18,000 educational institutions, companies, and public departments in 133 countries.
PET (Preliminary English Test):
This exam is designed by Cambridge English for students with intermediate English proficiency. It shows that you can communicate in English in everyday situations. It corresponds to level B1 in the European Language Portfolio.
KET (Key English Test):
This exam is designed for students who have taken an average of 250 hours of lessons or English practice and have basic English speaking, writing, and comprehension skills. The A2 KET exam is the first step for students to develop their English language skills for future work or education. It corresponds to the lowest level among Cambridge exams.
ACT (American College Testing):
The score obtained from this exam allows entry to all universities in the United States and 225 universities outside the United States. This exam aims to measure your existing knowledge accumulation after high school education in addition to your language proficiency. The ACT exam is held at many locations in the United States for American citizens and at selected test centers in many countries at certain times of the year for those living outside the United States.
ESP-English for Specific Purposes
English for Specific Purposes (ESP) has become one of the most important areas of English education today. Our primary goal is to equip students with the English language skills they will need in their target fields. ESP programs at American Time Language Schools are offered in three main areas: Business English, Tourism English, and International Legal English. Besides these three programs, many other ESP programs are available and can be taken as private lessons.