TÖMER online Turkish course: exam preparation for C1

This TÖMER preparation course gets you ready for a Turkish proficiency exam, either a university TÖMER exam or TYS, most often at the C1 level Turkish universities ask for. You prepare online with Ceylan Meriç, a native Turkish speaker with an MA in Teaching Turkish. She has taught for 8 years, and TÖMER, TYS and university C1 are among her specialties.

Why prepare with Turkly

• A teacher who prepares students for these exams. TÖMER, TYS and university C1 are regular work for Ceylan, so lessons go straight to the skills and task types you'll be tested on.
• All four skills, every week. Reading, listening, writing and speaking each get practice. It's common to read at a higher level than you write or speak, and TÖMER exams such as Ankara's require a minimum score in every part.
• Your starting point, measured. The free trial and level test show how far you are from C1, so the plan is based on your real level.
• Feedback on your writing and speaking, the two skills you can't really check on your own. In one-to-one lessons Ceylan corrects your answers and shows you how to improve them.
• Explanations in English or Turkish. If an academic structure is unclear, she can explain it in English. Most exam practice happens in Turkish.

"I started Turkish with you, and now I read and write everything thanks to you," one of Ceylan's students told her. You can find more of her teaching on her verified Instagram, @turkishlessonstr, with over 13,000 followers.

How it works

1. A free trial lesson of 20 to 30 minutes. Ceylan checks your level, asks which exam and which university you're aiming for, and when you need the certificate.
2. A plan for your exam. You get a route from your current level to the level you need, with time set aside for the skills where you're weakest.
3. Online lessons of 50 to 60 minutes. Each lesson comes with materials and practice for the days in between, such as a writing task to hand in or a listening exercise.

What TÖMER and TYS test

Both exams test reading, listening, writing and speaking. Who sets them, and how, is where they differ.

TYS (Türkçe Yeterlik Sınavı) is set by the Yunus Emre Institute. It is one exam with one format, and it now certifies B2 or C1 only.

TÖMER is the usual name for a university's Turkish teaching centre, and each centre writes its own exam. Ankara University's TÖMER, for example, splits speaking into an interactive part and an oral presentation. Other centres use different formats and scales, so a "TÖMER C1" means something only once you know which TÖMER issued it.

Our article TÖMER vs TYS: which Turkish C1 certificate do you need? compares the two exams in detail and links to the official pages.

How preparation works

Below C1, the first job is getting to the level. Grammar and vocabulary come first, then academic reading and listening. Exam practice is added as you get closer.

Near C1, lessons turn to the exam itself. You work through each type of task, write timed texts and get them corrected, practise speaking on the kinds of topics exams use, and learn to manage your time in each section. You'll also see where you tend to lose points and fix those first.

How long this takes depends on where you start and how much you can study each week. The trial gives you an honest estimate, and how long it takes to learn Turkish explains the usual timelines.

Which certificate for which goal?

If your university doesn't name a certificate, read its rules carefully or ask the international office before you book an exam. When you start your degree, Turkish for your first semester at a Turkish university covers the language of lectures, emails and seminars.

Price

Prices aren't published on the site. The trial lesson is free. When you send a request, Ceylan replies within 24 hours with prices and the preparation options that fit your exam date.

Frequently asked questions

Can you guarantee I'll pass?

No honest teacher can promise an exam result. What you get is a clear picture of your level, practice in every part of the exam and regular feedback, so you'll know where you stand before you book.

Can I prepare online if the exam is in person?

Yes. The skills are the same whether you sit the exam online or at a centre. Online lessons let you prepare from your home country before you move to Türkiye.

I'm at A2 or B1. Is it too early to start?

It's a sensible time to start. You'll build the language you need first, and exam practice comes in as your level rises. The trial shows how far you have to go.

How does scheduling work across time zones?

Lessons are online, so you can join from any country. Include your time zone and your exam date in your request, and Ceylan will reply with times that work.

Are lessons in English or Turkish?

Ceylan explains in English or Turkish. Exam practice is in Turkish, and she uses English when a point is easier to explain that way.

How do I start?

Fill in the lesson request form on this page. Say which exam and university you're aiming for and when you need the certificate. Ceylan will reply within 24 hours to arrange your free trial.

Start your TÖMER preparation

Find out how far you are from C1 with a free trial lesson of 20 to 30 minutes, where Ceylan checks your level and looks at your exam date with you. You can take the free Turkish level test first if you'd like a starting score.