Vertical Transfer Examination (DGS): The Complete Guide for Associate Degree Students
How to successfully transfer from a 2-year associate degree program to a 4-year bachelor's program in Turkey.
Kampusportal Akademi
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In the Turkish education system, the DGS (Vertical Transfer Examination) is a highly competitive exam that allows graduates of 2-year vocational schools to transfer directly into the 3rd year of a 4-year bachelor's degree program.
Understanding the Exam Format
Unlike general university entrance exams that test all high school subjects, the DGS is purely an aptitude test. It consists exclusively of Mathematics/Geometry and Turkish Language/Logic questions. It is designed to test your analytical thinking, reading comprehension, and speed.
The Quota Challenge
The hardest part of the DGS is not the difficulty of the questions, but the severely limited quotas. A faculty that accepts 200 regular students might only accept 3 DGS transfer students. This means you must aim for top percentile rankings.
The Importance of Your GPA
Your Associate Degree GPA is converted into points that are added to your DGS exam score. Maintaining high grades during your 2-year program is absolutely critical. A high GPA can compensate for a few missed questions on the exam.