Becoming a Champion in Exams: A Case Study of Top Performers in Türkiye’s HEIE

Year 2025, Volume: 13 Issue: 2, 1009 - 1038, 30.07.2025

Abdullah Atli , Murat Canpolat , Yeliz Yazıcı Demir

https://doi.org/10.46778/goputeb.1576102

Abstract

In many countries, securing admission to a prestigious university requires passing various competitive examinations. In Türkiye, the Higher Education Institutions Exam (HEIE) is taken annually by approximately 2-3 million students and is the primary pathway to university admission. Despite an extensive body of literature on exam preparation, research on the characteristics of students who achieve top scores remains limited. Existing studies often lack comprehensive insights into the personal attributes, preparation methods, and overall strategies employed by these high-achieving individuals. This multiple case study aims to fill this gap by examining the experiences of five students who attained top ranks in the HEIE. Through in-depth interviews, we explore four key themes that contribute to their success: personality traits, study strategies, educational background, and sources of support. Our findings offer a nuanced understanding of the factors driving exceptional performance in high-stakes exams, providing valuable implications for educators, policymakers, and students seeking to optimize their preparation for similar competitive assessments.

Keywords

University Entrance Exam , Exam Champions , Exam Success

Ethical Statement

Inonu University Social and Human Sciences Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee has approved the compliance with the ethics committee principles with the 6th decision number in the 8th session dated 27.04.2020.

Supporting Institution

This study is supported by TÜBİTAK 1002 Program under the title number 121K042.

Sınavlarda Şampiyon Olmak: Yükseköğretim Kurumları Sınavında En İyi Performans Gösterenler Üzerine Bir Vaka Çalışması

Abstract

Birçok ülkede, prestijli bir üniversiteye kabul edilmek için çeşitli rekabetçi sınavları geçmek gerekmektedir. Türkiye'de Yükseköğretim Kurumları Sınavı (YKS) her yıl yaklaşık 2-3 milyon öğrenci tarafından üniversiteye girişte birincil yol olarak kullanılmaktadır. Sınava hazırlık konusunda geniş bir literatür olmasına rağmen, en yüksek puanları alan öğrencilerin özelliklerine ilişkin araştırmalar sınırlı kalmaktadır. Mevcut çalışmalar genellikle bu yüksek başarılı bireylerin kişisel özellikleri, hazırlık yöntemleri ve kullandıkları genel stratejilere ilişkin kapsamlı bilgilerden yoksundur. Bu çoklu vaka çalışması, YKS'de üst sıralarda yer alan beş öğrencinin deneyimlerini inceleyerek bu boşluğu doldurmayı amaçlamaktadır. Derinlemesine görüşmeler yoluyla, başarılarına katkıda bulunan dört temel temayı araştırıyoruz: kişilik özellikleri, çalışma stratejileri, eğitim geçmişleri ve destek kaynakları. Bulgularımız, yüksek riskli sınavlarda istisnai performansa yol açan faktörler hakkında incelikli bir anlayış sunmakta ve benzer rekabetçi değerlendirmelere hazırlıklarını optimize etmek isteyen eğitimciler, politika yapıcılar ve öğrenciler için değerli çıkarımlar sağlamaktadır.

Keywords

Üniversite Giriş Sınavı , Sınav Şampiyonları , Sınav Başarısı

Ethical Statement

İnönü Üniversitesi Sosyal ve Beşerî Bilimler Bilimsel Araştırma ve Yayın Etik Kurulu, 27.04.2020 tarihli 8. Oturumda 6. Karar sayısı ile etik kurul ilkelerine uygun olduğu onaylanmıştır.

Supporting Institution

Çalışma TÜBİTAK 1002 Programı kapsamında 121K042 desteklenmiştir

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