1- What is the Turkish Proficiency Exam (TDBS)?
It is an internationally administered exam developed by the Turkish Language Teaching Application and Research Center—operating under Maltepe University—designed to assess the language proficiency of individuals learning Turkish as a foreign or native language; it measures all four fundamental language skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
2- Does the Maltepe University Turkish Proficiency Exam have international validity?
The Turkish Proficiency Exam administered by Maltepe University is an exam with international validity.
3- Who prepares the Turkish Proficiency Exam?
The questions for the Turkish Proficiency Exam are meticulously prepared by a team of subject-matter experts. The quality and effectiveness of the questions are verified through reviews conducted by experts from the Exam Center Unit, independent measurement and assessment specialists, and linguists. Before the exam, the questions undergo multiple quality control stages—covering content, orthography, and measurement-assessment criteria—and are selected from the exam pool in a unique combination for each student. The audio passages in the listening section are recorded to simulate natural speech patterns before being presented to the candidates.
4- Who can take the Turkish Proficiency Exam?
Anyone wishing to measure their Turkish language proficiency can take the exam; this includes individuals learning Turkish as a second language, students required to document their Turkish proficiency for university applications and admission in Turkey, prospective teachers wishing to teach Turkish at various institutions abroad, and interpreters seeking to certify their Turkish language proficiency.
5- Why Should I Take the Turkish Proficiency Exam?
The Turkish Proficiency Exam is an assessment that measures and certifies your Turkish language skills. Success in this exam may exempt you from the language preparatory year at universities in Türkiye; it also allows you to demonstrate your Turkish proficiency during job interviews without taking additional language tests and serves as a formal credential for your academic career goals.
6- How Can I Apply for the Turkish Proficiency Exam?
To apply for the proficiency exam organized by the Turkish Language Teaching Application and Research Center, you must complete the application form.
7- Where Is the Turkish Proficiency Exam Held?
The exam is held in the cities you select during the application process. The specific addresses of the exam centers will be communicated to you via email and published on the website.
8- What Sections Does the Turkish Proficiency Exam Include?
The Turkish Proficiency Exam consists of the following sections: Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking (Interactive Conversation).
9- How Is the Turkish Proficiency Exam Conducted?
The Turkish Proficiency Exam takes place in two sessions. In the first session, candidates answer questions on reading, listening, and writing; in the second session, they answer speaking questions.
10- How is the Speaking Exam Conducted?
The candidate enters the exam room at the time previously communicated via email, and the exam begins upon entry. The candidate accesses the exam by clicking the link associated with their name, which was sent to their email address.
Candidates are asked three questions during the speaking exam. The first question is designed to get to know the candidate; it aims to alleviate stress and anxiety while assessing their true speaking ability.
For the second question, the candidate is given a topic and asked to express their thoughts on it, thereby assessing their ability to speak individually.
The third question assesses conversational skills. A follow-up question is asked based on the candidate's previous answer to evaluate the connection between the two responses.
Scoring is based on the consistency of the candidate's answers, their reactions to the questions, and the gestures and facial expressions used while speaking. The speaking exam constitutes a significant part of the overall assessment. It lasts approximately 10 minutes for each candidate.
11- How is the Reading Exam Conducted?
The exam consists of 50 grammar and reading questions. Candidates are expected to answer the randomly presented questions correctly. Grammar questions are distributed evenly across proficiency levels to accurately determine the candidate's actual level.
12- How is the Listening Exam Conducted?
Candidates are presented with a listening task selected at random. The audio recordings feature natural speech.
13- How is the Writing Exam Conducted?
Candidates are required to write a minimum of 250 words. Additionally, adherence to punctuation and spelling rules, as well as the coherence of the topic, serve as the scoring criteria for the writing exam. 14- Can I change my answers during the exam?
Candidates may change their previously selected answers as often as they wish during the exam.
15- When will the Turkish Proficiency Exam results be announced?
Exam results will be emailed to the examinee or published on the Maltepe TÖMER website within five business days of the exam's conclusion.
16- When will we receive the certificate?
Certificates are sent to you via email in PDF format within 3 business days of the announcement of results, or they can be collected in person.
17- What is the validity period of the certificates?
Certificates are valid for two years from the date of issuance.
18- What should candidates do if they lose their Turkish Proficiency Certificate?
Certificates that are still within their validity period are sent via email free of charge. They can also be collected in person.
19- How is the score distribution for the Turkish Proficiency Placement Exam structured?
The score distribution for the Proficiency Placement Exam is as follows:
Skill Area in the Test Number of Questions Points per Question Total Points
Reading 50 0.5 25
Listening 10 2.5 25
Writing 1 25 25
Speaking 2 12.5 25
20- What score do I need to obtain to qualify for a certificate?
The scores required for a certificate to be issued in your name are as follows:
A1 20-49
A2 50-59
B1 60-69
B2 70-79
C1 80-89
C2 90-100
21. What is the current tuition fee and total program duration for international students? Are there different duration options available? Could you also provide information regarding payment methods and the payment deadline?
You can find the current tuition fee and total program duration for international students at https://www.maltepe.edu.tr/tomer/tr.
22. Can I apply from outside Turkey?
Yes, you can.
23. What documents are required for the application?
You can find the full list of required documents at https://www.maltepe.edu.tr/tomer/tr.
24. Can I apply for the Turkish language course without being admitted to an undergraduate program?
You can apply directly to the language course without being admitted to an undergraduate program.
25. If I am accepted, will you issue an official acceptance letter that I can use to apply for a Turkish language course visa?
If you are accepted, an official acceptance letter is issued for use in your Turkish language course visa application.
26. Do you provide any guidance or assistance during the visa application process?
We do not provide guidance or assistance regarding the visa application process.
27. Is an entrance or placement exam required for admission?
No entrance or placement exam is required for admission.
28. I am at a beginner level in Turkish. Can I start directly at the A1 level if I have no prior knowledge of Turkish?
If you have no prior knowledge of Turkish, you can start directly at the A1 level. You do not need to take a placement test.
29. Is the Turkish language course a separate program, independent of undergraduate and other degree programs?
The Turkish language course is a separate program, independent of undergraduate and other degree programs. Those who successfully complete the Turkish language course may enroll in Associate, Undergraduate, and Master's degree programs.
30. Do you provide services or support regarding student accommodation or dormitories? If so, can you provide information on estimated monthly or annual costs and available facilities?
Services or support regarding student accommodation or dormitories are provided. You can find information about estimated monthly or annual costs and available facilities at https://www.maltepe.edu.tr/.
31. What is the application deadline for the upcoming term, and when is the next course expected to start?
Student application dates for each term are determined by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK). Applications from prospective students are accepted in accordance with the principles of the Maltepe University Turkish Language Teaching Application and Research Center (Maltepe TÖMER) Education, Training, and Examination Directive.
32. Are there any age limits, minimum grade point average (GPA) requirements, health report requirements, language certification requirements, or other prerequisites for international applicants?
Applications are accepted in accordance with the principles of the Maltepe University Directive on the Application, Admission, and Registration of International Students for Graduate Programs; the Maltepe University Directive on the Admission of International Students to Associate and Undergraduate Programs; and the Maltepe University Turkish Language Teaching Application and Research Center (Maltepe TÖMER) Education, Training, and Examination Directive.