TOGS (TED Okulları Giriş Sınavı — the TED Schools Entrance Exam) is prepared by the Measurement and Evaluation Unit of TED Headquarters and used at Turkish Education Association schools for two purposes: middle and high school admission and merit scholarships. It covers Turkish, Mathematics, Science, Social Sciences and English — the Ministry of National Education learning outcomes taught up to the exam date in the student's current school year. The TOGS used for scholarships is held once a year, in January. This guide explains who takes TOGS, how it relates to scholarships and how to prepare, based on TED Üsküdar College's current rules.
How is TOGS used for admission?
At TED Üsküdar College, admission depends on the school level. At every level, the Psychological Counselling and Guidance (PDR) Unit carries out a Student Assessment:
| Level | Admission |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten (ages 4 and 5) | Student Assessment |
| Primary (grades 1-4) | Student Assessment |
| Middle school (grades 5-8) | TOGS and the Student Assessment |
| High school (preparatory year and grades 9-12) | TOGS and/or the LGS result, with the Student Assessment |
| Transfer into grades 9 and 10 | In addition, a written and oral English proficiency exam |
| Grades 11 and 12 | No transfer students from other schools |
Students coming from abroad first need an equivalence certificate. See our guide to enrolling a foreign student in a Turkish school.
What does the exam test?
TOGS has five subjects:
- Turkish
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Sciences
- English
The exam covers the Ministry learning outcomes taught up to the exam date in the student's current grade. A grade 5 student taking the exam in January, for example, is tested on what they have covered in grade 5 up to that day. Ask the Admissions Office for the current number of questions and time allowed.
At TED Üsküdar College, TOGS is taken by students from other schools who wish to continue to middle or high school there, and also by the school's own students from grade 5 onwards. Results are reported as learning-outcome reports, so the exam also shows where a student is strong.
The Student Assessment
The Student Assessment carried out by the PDR Unit is a chance to get to know the student and family — the student's interests, study habits and how they are likely to settle in. It is not a test, and there is nothing to prepare.
TOGS and scholarships
Under the TED Üsküdar College Internal Regulation on Scholarships and Discounts, TOGS merit scholarships work as follows:
- When: Once a year, in January, by decision and under the coordination of TED Headquarters. The date is announced separately.
- Who can take it: Students in grades 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, the high school preparatory year and grade 9. It is open to the school's own students and to students at all other schools.
- Rates: Which score (percentile or ranking) receives which rate is set by the Board of Directors before the exam and announced after the governorship approves the exam.
- Duration: A TOGS scholarship is valid until the end of the student's current school level.
- Conditions: A year-end weighted grade average of 85 or above, no referral to the disciplinary board, and unexcused absence of no more than 10 days.
- Retaking: A student who wins a scholarship can retake TOGS the following year to keep or increase it. According to the school's assessment page, successful students must take this exam to benefit from a scholarship each year.
The school's other scholarships and discounts:
| Scholarship or discount | Details |
|---|---|
| LGS Merit Scholarship | Based on LGS score and percentile; rates are announced each year after the LGS and the scholarship lasts until the end of high school (LGS scholarship guide) |
| Internal Student Merit Scholarship | At the end of each year, at each level (grades 5-8, preparatory year, grades 9-11): 75% for first, 50% for second and 25% for third place; valid for the following year |
| Sibling discount | 5% for each sibling studying in the same term |
| TED alumni discount | 10% for students whose mother or father graduated from a TED high school |
| Early registration and advance payment | Announced each year with the fees |
The Turkish Education Association has also offered the Full Education Scholarship since 2003-2004 to successful students with limited financial means. It has a separate application through TED headquarters; see ted.org.tr (in Turkish).
How to prepare
Because TOGS tests the Ministry learning outcomes the student is already covering at school, no special course is needed. Things that help:
- Reviewing all five subjects: giving Turkish, social sciences and English as much time as maths and science.
- Reading in English: regular reading and vocabulary work.
- Timed practice: solving a few questions at home against the clock reduces nerves on the day.
- Rest: a good night's sleep and arriving early.
Five questions to ask the school
- When is this year's TOGS, and how many questions and how much time are there?
- Which scores or percentiles do this year's scholarship rates depend on?
- On which dates can a student take TOGS for admission?
- When and how are results announced?
- Can scholarships and discounts be combined?
Registering at TED Üsküdar College
TED Üsküdar College is the school of the Turkish Education Association, founded in 1928, in Çengelköy, Üsküdar, Istanbul; it opened in 2022-2023 as TED's 45th campus. It teaches from preschool to high school, with an English preparatory year in high school and the IB Diploma Programme in grades 11 and 12.
For details, see the Student Admission Procedure, Scholarships and Discounts and Registration Fees pages. For TOGS dates, call +90 216 424 44 44.