OBP
An achievement-score abbreviation whose context changes by stage. The local-placement measure in LGS and the Secondary Education Achievement Score in YKS are not the same calculation or use.
ScoresUNDERSTANDING THE TERMS
Education Glossary
A glossary centre explaining examination, placement, programme, scholarship and transition terminology from preschool to university.
The same abbreviation can have different meanings at different stages. In particular, school-achievement measures discussed in LGS are not identical in calculation or use to the Secondary Education Achievement Score used in YKS. Glossary entries will explain context, common confusions and official verification sources rather than giving only a short definition.
01Open the official source
02Assess learner fit
03Keep alternative routes
CONNECTED GUIDES
Where can you go from here?
01
Terms Used by Tools
Understand the criteria used by calculators and comparators before reading results.
Open guide → 02LGS Terms
Understand percentile ranks, central and local placement.
Open guide → 03Vocational Education Terms
Separate ATP, AMP, MESEM, field, branch and placement.
Open guide → 04University Terms
Understand programme, department, faculty, vocational school, DGS and MTOK.
Open guide →Core glossary groups
Basic education: e-registration, catchment area, provisional registration, inclusion, guidance centres and gifted education.
LGS and high school: central placement, local placement, percentile rank, entry score, ATP, AMP, MTAL, MESEM, field, branch and placement.
University: YKS, TYT, AYT, YDT, associate degree, bachelor degree, faculty, vocational school, MTOK, DGS, transfer, double major, minor, ECTS and accreditation.
Glossary-entry standard
- Short, clear definition
- Stage where the term is used
- Terms commonly confused with it
- Why it matters
- Current official source
- Related guides and tools
Search foundation
The core terms are already searchable within this centre. As the glossary grows, every term will gain its own URL, an alphabetical index and related-content links.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions that arise while deciding
These answers provide general guidance; check the official document for the relevant year for rules that can change.
01Does OBP mean the same thing everywhere?
No. The examination and placement context must be checked. LGS and YKS contexts are explained separately.
02Are ATP and AMP school types or programmes?
They are different programmes within vocational and technical secondary education. A school can contain different programmes.
03Are department and programme the same?
Everyday use can blur them. In university preferences the official programme name and code control; a department can be a wider academic unit.
04Is an entry score set by the school?
It is generally formed by the last admitted applicant in a previous cycle, not a fixed future guarantee set by the school.
05Are DGS and MTOK the same?
No. DGS is a transfer examination after an associate degree; MTOK concerns specified quotas linked to vocational fields.
06Is a glossary definition enough to act?
No. It supports understanding. Current official guides and special conditions must be read before an application or preference.
07Can one abbreviation have different meanings?
Yes. Read it with its context and authority. A glossary entry should show the education stage and commonly confused terms.
08Does the glossary replace the official definition?
No. It supports understanding, while the current official guide controls rules, rights and procedures.
09Should an old term be deleted?
It can be retained with an archive label so older documents remain understandable, while clearly stating that it is no longer current.
10Why link related terms?
Concepts such as achievement points, placement scores or MTOK may be misunderstood alone. Links to related terms, calculators and guides reduce confusion.
SEARCH
Search core education terms
Percentile rank
Shows relative position among examination candidates. Changes in quotas and applicant distributions matter when comparing historical school data.
LGSCentral placement
Placement into secondary schools that admit learners using the central examination score.
LGSLocal placement
Placement into schools using address and the priority criteria defined in the current guide.
LGSATP
Anatolian Technical Programme, a vocational programme with greater emphasis on academic preparation for further study alongside vocational subjects.
Vocational educationAMP
Anatolian Vocational Programme, combining general subjects with vocational knowledge and applied skills.
Vocational educationMESEM
Vocational Training Centre, a distinct model combining school and workplace-based vocational education.
Vocational educationMTOK
Higher-education quotas connected to specified vocational and technical secondary fields; it is neither examination-free nor guaranteed progression.
UniversityTYT
The Basic Proficiency Test session of YKS. Current question, timing and use rules are checked in the annual ÖSYM guide.
UniversityAYT
The Field Proficiency Tests session of YKS and an important component of relevant bachelor-degree score types.
UniversityYDT
The Foreign Language Test session of YKS. Languages and rules are verified in the annual guide.
UniversityAssociate degree
Usually a two-year higher-education programme, common in vocational schools, with possible DGS progression routes for specified programmes.
UniversityBachelor degree
A higher-education programme usually lasting four years, or longer for certain professions.
UniversityFaculty
An academic unit within a university delivering undergraduate and postgraduate education in related fields.
UniversityVocational school
A higher-education unit commonly delivering vocational associate-degree programmes.
UniversityDGS
The Vertical Transfer Examination used for progression from specified associate degrees to specified bachelor programmes.
UniversityGuidance and Research Centre
An official service involved in guidance and special-education assessment and support processes.
Support servicesScience and Art Centre
A centre providing supplementary education to learners identified for gifted education support.
Support servicesMTAL
Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School.
Vocational educationAlan
A broad education cluster containing related occupations.
Vocational educationDal
A more specialised route within a vocational field.
Vocational educationStaj
Workplace experience with defined aims, duration, records and supervision.
Vocational educationWorkplace Skills Training (Workplace Skills Training (İşletmede Beceri Eğitimi))
Training that develops vocational skills through school–employer coordination.
Vocational educationMaster Instructor (Master Instructor (Usta Öğretici))
A qualified person responsible for the learner’s vocational training in the workplace.
Vocational educationJourneyperson Qualification (Journeyperson Qualification (Kalfalık))
A stage and certificate showing defined vocational competence.
Vocational educationMastery Qualification (Mastery Qualification (Ustalık))
A certificate showing advanced occupational competence and, under relevant conditions, a route to opening a workplace.
Vocational educationCoordinating Teacher (Coordinating Teacher (Koordinatör Öğretmen))
A teacher coordinating learning and monitoring between school and workplace.
Vocational educationECTS
A European Credit Transfer value representing student workload.
UniversityDouble major
Completion of a second bachelor programme when conditions are met.
UniversityMinor
Completion of a limited additional course package alongside the main programme.
UniversityRank
A candidate’s position relative to others in the relevant score type.
UniversityIEP
An individualised education programme organising goals, support and adaptations around a learner’s needs.
Foundational educationInclusive education
An approach supporting every learner’s access, participation, learning and belonging.
Foundational educationSchool readiness
Holistic readiness including self-care, communication, emotional regulation, movement and curiosity.
Foundational educationSOURCES AND BOUNDARIES
Where should you verify the information?
MEB
2026 Secondary Education Transition Preference and Placement Guide
Open official source ↗MEBMesleğim Hayatım vocational education portal
Open official source ↗ÖSYMÖSYM 2026 YKS Guide
Open official source ↗YÖKYÖK Atlas
Open official source ↗Examination, registration, preference, quota, scholarship and curriculum rules can change. Open the current official document for the relevant academic year before acting.