The KPSS ÖABT field, while similar to the Public Personnel Selection Examination, is a specific test that prospective teachers must take. The Teacher Candidate Knowledge Test is a professional entrance exam required for those who wish to become teachers. Although the general KPSS used to be considered sufficient for teacher candidates, authorities later introduced the Teacher Candidate Knowledge Test to create a more effective and objective selection process.
The Teacher Candidate Knowledge Test is an additional exam required alongside the Public Personnel Selection Examination. Candidates who want to work as teachers in the public sector and who graduated from the relevant departments must take the KPSS ÖABT. Candidates who do not take this exam cannot be appointed as public school teachers.
How Long Is the Teacher Candidate Knowledge Test?
Exam durations for the Teacher Candidate Knowledge Test vary depending on the specific tests administered. Candidates seeking a teaching position and public school appointment face different time limits for each section of the Teacher Candidate Knowledge Test.
Time limits are determined based on the number of questions in each section, and general exam rules apply. The ÖABT durations are set with reference to the Public Personnel Selection Examination’s time allocations, so ÖABT sections follow those guidelines.
Questions for the Teacher Candidate Knowledge Test are prepared from sections that also appear in the KPSS, making this exam KPSS-based in structure.
The exam durations by type are as follows:
- The Teacher Candidate Knowledge Test consists of 50 questions in its subject-specific section. Candidates have 75 minutes (1 hour 15 minutes) to complete these 50 questions.
- There are two categories derived from KPSS sections. The first category is the “General Culture” section, which includes 60 questions. The second category is “General Ability,” which also contains 60 questions. The combined time for these two sections is 130 minutes (2 hours 10 minutes).
- The “Educational Sciences” section is allotted 100 minutes (1 hour 40 minutes).
Which Subjects Are Covered by the KPSS ÖABT?
The state has announced the branches in which the KPSS Teacher Candidate Knowledge Test will be applied. Following that announcement, recruitment in many branches was planned according to the specified exam schedule.
The ÖABT branches include:
- Turkish language,
- Preschool teaching,
- Primary classroom teaching,
- Primary education mathematics teaching,
- Science education,
- Science and technology,
- Social studies,
- Turkish language and literature,
- Foreign language teaching (German and English),
- History,
- Geography,
- High school mathematics teaching,
- Physics,
- Chemistry,
- Biology,
- Religious culture and ethics.
In Which Cities Is the Teacher Candidate Knowledge Test Conducted?
Although the Teacher Candidate Knowledge Test is not held in every district, it covers many provinces across the country. The provinces where candidates can sit for the ÖABT include the following:
- Ankara,
- Adana,
- Antalya,
- Bursa,
- Diyarbakır,
- Erzurum,
- Eskişehir,
- Gaziantep,
- Van,
- Trabzon,
- Samsun,
- Sivas,
- Malatya,
- Konya,
- Kayseri,
- İzmir.
How Are Appointment Scores Calculated for the Teacher Candidate Knowledge Test?
Appointment scores after the Teacher Candidate Knowledge Test are evaluated in two categories. Candidates’ scores are determined and separated based on these categories. The scoring methods used when calculating results for the KPSS ÖABT are as follows:
- P121 score: This score is specific to the subject branches for the Teacher Candidate Knowledge Test. The P121 is calculated from the Subject Knowledge Test and includes the General Culture, Educational Sciences, General Ability, and the Teacher Candidate Knowledge Test sections.
- P10 score: This score is used for appointment procedures. The P10 score, used for teacher applications, is calculated from the General Ability, General Culture, and Educational Sciences exams.
What Are the Percentage Weights in the Teacher Candidate Knowledge Test?
Each exam included in the Teacher Candidate Knowledge Test carries specific percentage weights. These percentages are applied when calculating final scores. The weights are especially important for determining the P10 and P121 scores.
The percentage weights are as follows:
- From the General Culture section: 30% toward P10 and 15% toward P121.
- From the General Ability section: 30% toward P10 and 15% toward P121.
- From the Educational Sciences section: 40% toward P10 and 20% toward P121.
- The Teacher Candidate Knowledge Test contributes 50% to the P121 score.
What Are the ÖABT Score Weights for Turkish Language Teaching?
Candidates aiming to become Turkish language teachers must reach a specific score calculated according to the weighted components of the ÖABT for that branch.
The weight distribution for Turkish language teacher scoring is as follows:
- Subject training test: 20%,
- Text-related tests (genres and learning): 10%,
- Reading comprehension techniques: 20%,
- Vocabulary test: 14%,
- Turkish grammar: 16%,
- Language learning outcomes, learning areas and acquisition: 20%.
How Are the Weights Distributed for Foreign Language Teaching ÖABT?
Appointments for foreign language teachers are made based on ÖABT results calculated with specific percentage weights. For English, German and French language teaching, the breakdown is:
- Language proficiency: 50%,
- Linguistics and grammar: 16%,
- Language literature: 14%,
- Subject training: 20%.
Who Is Eligible to Take the Teacher Candidate Knowledge Test?
All candidates who want to work in institutions affiliated with the Ministry of National Education (MEB) may take the Teacher Candidate Knowledge Test. Percentage weights vary by branch. Candidates must meet certain requirements to sit for the Teacher Candidate Knowledge Test, which is a university-level exam.
These eligibility requirements include:
- Graduation from the relevant faculties, such as Arts and Sciences or Education Faculties,
- Successful completion of teacher training (pedagogical formation) programs,
- Having graduated from their university by the application date to MEB.
Does the 40-Year Age Limit Still Apply for Teacher Appointments?
Previously, there was a 40-year age limit for first-time teacher appointments. Applicants were not to have turned 40 by the application date; candidates who had reached 40 could not be appointed even if they achieved qualifying scores.
According to Article 11, paragraph 1, subparagraph (g) of the Ministry of National Education’s Regulation on Appointment and Transfer of Teachers, this rule has been revised. For first-time appointments, applicants must not have reached 40 years of age as of the application date. The rules differ for contract teachers.
For those serving as contract teachers within MEB who have already completed one year of service as a contract teacher, the 40-year limit does not apply. These individuals may be appointed to MEB institutions after taking the KPSS ÖABT and achieving successful results.