In short, the main difference is your level of education. High school graduates take KPSS Secondary Education (Ortaöğretim), two-year vocational college graduates take KPSS Associate Degree (Ön Lisans), and four-year university graduates take KPSS Bachelor's Degree (Lisans). The test structure is largely the same; the main differences lie in exam frequency, score types, and available civil service positions.
Basic Rule: You Take the Exam at Your Highest Education Level
Choosing your education level in KPSS is not optional: you must enter the exam at the highest level you have graduated from. A graduate of a four-year degree program cannot take the Secondary Education or Associate KPSS thinking "the questions are easier". Even if they take it and get placed, their appointment will be canceled, leading to a loss of rights.
There is also flexibility if you have not graduated yet: final-year students who can graduate within the exam year can take the higher-level exam (for example, Bachelor's). Pay attention to the reverse situation: if a current bachelor's student takes a lower-level exam and gets placed, their appointment can be canceled if they graduate from their bachelor's program before the appointment date. Candidates who are near graduation must plan their status accordingly during the preference period.
Comparison of the Three Exams
| KPSS Bachelor (Lisans) | KPSS Associate (Ön Lisans) | KPSS High School (Ortaöğretim) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who can take it | 4-year faculty/college graduates | 2-year vocational school graduates | High school and equivalent graduates |
| 2026 exam date | September 6, 2026 | October 4, 2026 | October 25, 2026 |
| Exam frequency | Every year | Every two years (even years) | Every two years (even years) |
| Main score type | P3 | P93 | P94 |
| Questions / duration | 120 questions / 130 mins | 120 questions / 130 mins | 120 questions / 130 mins |
For details on dates and application periods, check our 2026 KPSS exam calendar article.
Is the Exam Content Different?
All three levels test General Ability (Turkish, Mathematics) and General Culture (History, Geography, Citizenship, Current Information); subject distribution is similar. The difference lies in how questions are tailored to the target group: Bachelor's questions suit university graduates, while Secondary Education questions match the high school curriculum. For full question distribution, see our article on how many questions are on the KPSS.
How Do Position Opportunities Vary?
Public institutions publish Group B civil service positions based on education levels: positions such as officer, secretary, technician, or health technician are selected using the score specified for that level (P3, P93, or P94). Generally, the variety of positions announced at the bachelor's level is wider. Group A positions, such as inspector or assistant specialist, are open only to bachelor's graduates and usually require Field Knowledge exam sessions. For candidates targeting positions in the Directorate of Religious Affairs, the DHBT requirement also applies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Associate and Secondary Education KPSS held every two years?
This is ÖSYM's policy: these two exams take place in even years (2024, 2026, 2028...) and scores remain valid for two years until the next exam. If you miss 2026, you must wait until 2028.
I graduated from open education (distance learning). Which level do I take?
Open education is treated the same as formal education: graduates of a 2-year open associate degree program take the Associate level, while 4-year open faculty graduates take the Bachelor level.
I have both an associate degree and a bachelor's degree. Which one do I use?
The highest level applies: if you have a bachelor's degree, you must take the Bachelor KPSS.
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