Exam-Related Problem of the Graduates of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration: The Case of the District Governor Candidate Exams

Abstract

Public administration is a multidisciplinary field encompassing all management activities of the state at both central and local levels. The education of this discipline in Türkiye has a long-standing history dating back to the Mülkiye Mektebi established in the final years of the Ottoman Empire. Today, the number of schools offering education in this field and the number of students has increased, with thousands of students graduating each year from Political Science and Public Administration departments. After graduation, the stage of preparing for prestigious and challenging public institution examinations begins. Among the relevant examinations are the district governor candidate examinations, which are one of the most important career milestones for graduates of these departments. These examinations, which the author also experienced by achieving high scores, are extremely complex and uncertain marathons for candidates. Indeed, the constantly changing format of the exam, the exam dates that are not clearly announced in advance, and the content that is not fully aligned with the curriculum encountered by students in their undergraduate education make this process uncertain and stressful for candidates. This situation makes it difficult for candidates to prepare systematically and over the long term, creating unequal conditions. Within the scope of this article, the historical development of public administration and education in Türkiye, the current situation and fundamental problems experienced with the district governor and district governor candidate examinations are discussed in detail, supported by the author's personal experiences. The study uses a descriptive analysis method, examining official documents, announcements and examination information from previous years. The lack of primary sources is one of the limitations of this study. In light of the findings of the research, a series of concrete recommendations are presented with the aim of making the process fairer, more transparent, and more predictable for candidates. It is believed that these recommendations will enable candidates to manage their time and resources much more efficiently. Ultimately, the reorganisation of the district governor candidate examinations will not only enable candidates to prepare more effectively for the examination but will also contribute to the development of qualified administrators. The study aims to initiate a discussion within academic and bureaucratic circles regarding the examination process and ultimately to offer recommendations to decision-makers for improving its implementation.