Exam comparisons
ALES vs DGS: Which Turkish Exam for Which Transfer?
ALES and DGS often get confused. Which is for graduate study/academic career, which is for vertical transfer from 2-year to 4-year programs?
| Comparison criterion | ALES | DGS |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Graduate / academic / KPSS A | 2-year to 4-year vertical |
| Questions | 120 (50 num + 50 verbal) | 120 (60 num + 60 verbal) |
| Duration | 150 min | 150 min |
| Per year | Spring + autumn | Once |
| Candidate | Bachelor student/graduate | Associate senior / graduate |
Verdict
ALES for graduate/academic targets; DGS for 2-to-4-year transfer. They don't substitute each other.
Frequently asked questions
Take both in the same year?
Possible if dates don't clash, but prep depth suffers — clarify priority.
Verified against official ÖSYM/MEB guidelines · Last updated: 2026-04-15