A first in Turkey: Special YKS exam held for student who had an epileptic seizure and those who helped

In Sivas, a candidate suffered an epileptic seizure during the Basic Proficiency Test (TYT), the first session of the Higher Education Institutions Examination (YKS), which was administered by ÖSYM on June 8. Some candidates in the hall helped the student who was having the seizure and assisted in getting them out of the hall. While the ÖSYM regulations require that the remaining time of the exam be added to the session, the 15-second addition provided by the hall president and proctors did not satisfy the candidates.

Upon the applications filed by the parents, ÖSYM offered the candidates the option of either receiving additional points or retaking an equivalent exam. The candidates requested that the exam be repeated. Today, ÖSYM held a YKS exam for 8 candidates at the Cumhuriyet University Primary School in Sivas.

12 PEOPLE ASSIGNED TO DUTY

The 8 candidates who listened to their conscience and helped the student having the seizure instead of continuing the exam took the test today at Cumhuriyet University Primary School. The exam for the 8 people was no different from the general exam. Police officers performed body searches on the candidates entering the building. Items prohibited from being brought into the exam hall were not allowed inside. After ÖSYM officials checked the candidates' identification and exam entry documents, the candidates were admitted to the hall. For the exam involving 8 students, 12 people were assigned to duty, including 1 building supervisor, 1 assistant, 1 building manager, 1 device operator, 2 service staff, 2 police officers, 2 substitute proctors, 1 hall president, and an ÖSYM representative.

A FIRST IN TURKEY

The YKS exam taken by the 8 people differed from the general exam only in terms of the number of participants. In terms of exam procedures, it was identical to the general exam. The hall door was closed at 10:00. All 8 candidates took their places in the hall. While they sweated over their desks, their families waited outside with excitement for the exam to end. This practice carried out by ÖSYM was a first in Turkey.

Ahmet Yıldırım, whose child took the exam, thanked ÖSYM and said, “A student had fallen ill during the exam. There was a loss of 30-40 minutes in the ensuing commotion. With the decision to repeat the exam, ÖSYM resolved the grievances of our students.”

Murat Akpınar, the father of Melike Naz Akpınar who took the exam, stated that ÖSYM had restored the students' rights, saying, “Our children had lost time due to a student who had a seizure during the exam. We made the necessary appeals. Upon this, ÖSYM restored our students' rights. For this reason, we thank everyone involved. Since the number of students is small, we think the exam results will be announced as soon as possible. We do not know what path will be followed regarding placement. We expect support so that our students do not experience any grievances during the placement process as well.”