Celebrating ÖSYM’s visit to Oxford and the future of English assessment in Türkiye

In a significant move for English language assessment in Türkiye, the Student Selection and Placement Centre (ÖSYM) has officially recognized the Oxford Test of English (OTE).

The recognition expands the range of valid English proficiency tests accepted by Turkish universities and institutions, and represents the beginnings of a deeper collaboration with ÖSYM.

In May 2025, a senior ÖSYM delegation visited our Oxford office, marking a milestone in Türkiye’s engagement with global standards in educational assessment.

Steps to OTE recognition in Türkiye

The Oxford Test of English (OTE) is an online, modular English proficiency test aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). It assesses candidates at A2, B1, B2, and C1 levels in four key skills: Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing. The exam is designed for flexibility: test-takers can choose to sit individual modules or the entire test. The full exam takes about two hours, and results are typically released within five working days.

In early 2025, ÖSYM formally recognized OTE, meaning that Turkish higher education institutions can now accept OTE scores for language exemption and programme applications.

Recognizing OTE also marks a shift in how Türkiye can engage with global academic institutions and integrates technology and quality assurance into its educational measurement systems.

ÖSYM’s Oxford visit: strengthening ties

In May 2025, we welcomed a delegation led by Professor Dr Bayram Ali Ersoy, President of ÖSYM, to mark the beginning of a formal collaboration aimed at aligning Türkiye’s assessment practices more closely with international standards, especially in the context of language testing.

During a strategic meeting, our colleagues and ÖSYM representatives shared insights into exam design, item development, test delivery, and quality assurance processes with a strong emphasis on the use of digital technologies in assessments.

Sara Pierson, our Managing Director of English Assessment, reflected on the day by highlighting the mutual aim to progress towards long-term academic cooperation, technical exchange, and innovation:

“It was a pleasure to host senior delegates from ÖSYM at our offices. This visit marks a significant step in our partnership as we further develop our English assessment presence across Türkiye. Our discussions highlighted the value of international collaboration and the role of technology in advancing assessment quality and accessibility. I am delighted by the strong partnership that we have formed and look forward to further collaboration in the future.”

A new era in English assessment for Türkiye

With the recognition of OTE and further collaboration planned, we are excited to be able to work closely with ÖSYM to offer:

• More flexible testing models that suit diverse learner needs
• Faster and more reliable results, helping streamline university admissions and preparatory programme decisions
• Improved test security and standardization using international best practices
• Digital integration, aligning with Türkiye’s broader goals for educational digital transformation.

In the context of global mobility, where English proficiency is often a prerequisite for academic exchange and employment, adopting respected assessment tools like OTE contributes to improving Türkiye’s competitiveness and the international credibility of its education system: for example, by helping institutions attract international students and expanding their role in cross-border academic partnerships.

We are pleased by ÖSYM’s recognition of the Oxford Test of English, and what it means for language assessment in Türkiye: a more flexible, digital, and learner-oriented approach, and more accessible and efficient testing for individuals, supporting institutional goals for internationalization and quality assurance.

You can find out more about the Oxford Test of English here.