Automatic Transition to Galatasaray High School Has Ended
Official titleRegulation on the Amendment to the Regulation on Galatasaray High School, Galatasaray Secondary School, and Galatasaray Primary School Affiliated with Galatasaray University
The transition requirements for Galatasaray Secondary School graduates to Galatasaray High School have been made more stringent; it has been made mandatory for graduates to be in the top 4% percentile in the central examination.
Before
Galatasaray Secondary School graduates were able to transition directly to the high school.
After
It has been made mandatory for graduates to be placed in the top 4% percentile in the central examination in order to transition to the high school.
Details of the Regulation
With the new regulation amendment published by the Ministry of National Education, a significant threshold has been introduced to the internal transition system of the schools within Galatasaray University. With the amendment made to Article 12 of the Regulation, the requirement to be ranked within the top 4% achievement percentile nationwide in the central examination conducted by the Ministry (national exams such as LGS) was added for students who complete Galatasaray Secondary School to be able to enroll in Galatasaray High School.
The regulation also made a terminological update, replacing the phrase "joint examination" with "central examination." This amendment aims to maintain the standard of academic achievement at the high school level and align it with national examination results.
As an important exception, a provisional article was added in order to protect vested rights. Accordingly, the 4% percentile requirement shall not apply to students who were enrolled in the first grade of Galatasaray Primary School prior to the 2026-2027 academic year. These students will be able to continue to transition to the high school level under the old system.
Questions You Might Have
- Will every student graduating from Galatasaray Secondary School no longer be able to transition to the high school?
- Yes, graduates who fail to place in the top 4% percentile in the central examination will not be able to continue to Galatasaray High School.
- My child is currently in the 3rd grade at Galatasaray Primary School; will this threshold exam affect them?
- No, students who enrolled in the 1st grade prior to the 2026-2027 academic year have been exempted from this new rule.
- When does this rule take effect?
- The regulation entered into force as of August 11, 2026; however, the 4% requirement will cover newly entering students.
Key Terms
- Merkezi Sınav
- LGS and similar placement examinations conducted simultaneously nationwide by the Ministry.
- Yüzdelik Dilim
- The ratio indicating the position of a student's examination performance among candidates across Turkey.
- İhdas Etmek
- To enact or establish a new rule or article.
Affected Sectors
- Education
- Students
- Parents
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REGAS Commentary
This decision effectively restricts the "automatic transition" era for students coming from its own secondary school to Galatasaray High School, one of Turkey's most prestigious educational institutions. Being a student of the school itself will no longer be sufficient on its own to advance to high school; proof of academic achievement (top 4%) will be required. Granting an exemption to those enrolled before 2026 preserves the principle of "predictability" in terms of law.