What is the TOMER exam and what is its significance for studying in Turkey?

If you are interested in studying in Turkey, you may have heard of the TOMER exam among the various international tests required for admission to Turkish universities. TOMER measures the Turkish language skills of students applying to study at Turkish universities. In this article, we will provide you with detailed information about the TOMER exam and everything you need to do to successfully pass the exam and secure your university acceptance.

TOMER Research Center

TOMER is the Center for Turkish and Foreign Languages Applications and Research, affiliated with Ankara University. It was established in 1984 and is similar to global language and cultural centers such as the British Council. It now has 11 branches spread across more than 7 major Turkish cities and serves approximately 55,000 students annually. The initial main goal of TOMER was to teach Turkish to non-native speakers.

What is the TOMER exam?

The TOMER exam is one of the most well-known international exams and is a requirement for admission to universities in Turkey, especially those with Turkish as the language of instruction. The test is administered by Ankara University and is held weekly. The registration fee for this test is 100 euros, and the minimum TOMER score required for university admission is 60. Therefore, during the test, you must answer at least 100 out of 240 questions. The TOMER test results are announced within a period ranging from 3 to 15 days after its completion.

The purpose of the exam is to assess the Turkish language proficiency of applicants to Turkish universities or those intending to work in Turkey. It is similar to the IELTS and TOEFL exams in English language proficiency. Therefore, anyone who wishes to work or study in Turkey must pass the TOMER test.

Skills assessed in the TOMER test

The TOMER exam is designed to assess the Turkish language skills of non-native speakers and evaluates the following skills:

• Reading skills
• Speaking skills
• Listening skills
• Writing skills

TOMER Certificate

This is the certificate awarded to students after successfully passing the TOMER test in the Turkish language. It is accredited by the Turkish Ministry of Higher Education and is recognized by most public and private Turkish universities.

This exam is crucial for obtaining university admission in some institutions and Turkish universities, especially those that do not include English as part of their program’s instruction and rely on Turkish as the primary language of instruction.

The validity of the TOMER certificate ranges from 6 months to 2 years. The exam is conducted at three levels: beginner (preparatory), intermediate (valid for two years), and advanced (the final level of the test). The duration of the TOMER study is approximately 8 months, and after that, students can obtain a C1 level for the advanced level.

Summary of TOMER Certificate:

The TOMER certificate is valid for a period ranging from six months to two years and is awarded for the elementary and intermediate levels. The validity of the elementary certificate is six months, and the test taker must achieve a B2 level to obtain the intermediate certificate, which is valid for two years and requires a minimum of B1 proficiency.

After the expiration of the certificate, the participant must take steps to renew its validity. Similar to the TOEFL test conducted by ETS in the United States, the TOMER test is also administered by the UTS (Turkce Uzaktan Sinavi) organization in Turkey.

What are the levels of the TOMER test in Turkey?

The TOMER test consists of six levels, starting from beginner level A1 to advanced level C1, where the student has achieved the highest scores indicating a significant proficiency in the Turkish language. The study period for the test is 8 months, and the test questions range from basic to simple. A1 is considered the elementary level, in A2, students can talk about themselves, and B1 and B2 levels require dealing with various daily situations. The highest level, C1, is the most challenging as it expects students to master the Turkish language enough to study medicine and pharmacy in Turkish universities.

Note: Applicants who score below 50 will not receive a TOMER certificate.

Level A1:

You will study the Turkish alphabet and language basics. After passing this level, you will be able to understand Turkish expressions and express yourself using short sentences and body language. At this level, the student’s ability to answer daily questions with very simple answers is measured. The minimum passing grade is 50.

Level A2:

After passing this level, you should be able to express yourself using basic words, expressions, and structures. You will also be able to understand short texts. The grade level ranges from 50 to 59.

Level B1:

After passing this level, you should be able to express your feelings, desires, and interests clearly. Additionally, you will be able to easily understand written texts and have a moderate knowledge of the Turkish language to handle personal tasks or communicate with others using simple expressions. To succeed at this level, you must achieve a grade average between 60 and 65.

Level B2:

After passing this level, you should be able to understand general information about various topics and issues. You should be able to communicate easily with native Turkish speakers, meaning you have a good knowledge of the Turkish language to handle any unexpected situations. The overall grade range for this level should be between 66 and 70.

Level C1:

Upon completion of this level, you should be able to understand TV programs and long conversations clearly and express yourself fluently as if you were a Turkish citizen. Additionally, you should be able to speak Turkish professionally, even in unexpected situations. Therefore, at this level, your total grades should range from 71 to 100.

Level C2:

After passing this level of the TOMER test, you should be able to understand long and complex texts and express your opinions in detail on any topic. This is the most advanced level in the TOMER test, where you can speak Turkish fluently as if it were your native language.

What documents do you need for registration for the TOMER exam?

To register for the TOMER exam, the student must prepare several documents and necessary personal information during registration. These documents include:

• Two passport-sized photos
• Payment of the exam fees
• Valid passport
  • If you don’t have a passport, you need to translate your identification card into Turkish.

What is the cost of the TOMER exam?

The cost of the TOMER exam can depend on the organizing institution. If the applicant wants to obtain a diploma, they need to pay around 3,000 Turkish liras, and approximately 2,000 Turkish liras for the certificate.

The cost of the TOMER exam can vary from center to center, but generally, the cost ranges from $250 to $350 per level, and these fees can be paid in two installments.

What are the dates and details of the TOMER exam in Turkey?

The exam is held daily from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
A placement test is conducted before a person can register for the exam.
The registration office is open from 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM on weekdays and from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM on weekends.
TOMER exam fees are paid in Turkish lira.

Who needs to take the Turkish TOMER exam?

Anyone seeking to work in the Turkish language, pursue higher education in Turkey, or apply for any scholarship program in Turkey needs to demonstrate proficiency in the Turkish language. Therefore, the TOMER exam is one of the requirements for admission to Turkish universities for students intending to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Turkish. At the undergraduate level, universities typically apply this exam after enrollment, and students study the language in the first preparatory year before starting their academic program. At the master’s level, a TOMER certificate must be attached during the application process.

In conclusion, if you have decided to study in Turkey, you should be aware that the TOMER test in the Turkish language is one of the necessary exams that you must pass, especially if you intend to study at universities that teach their programs exclusively in Turkish. You can now contact the Safa team for information on registration at Turkish universities, as they are your first companion for studying in Turkey.