What is the ALES Equal Weight (EA) Score?
If you are applying to graduate programs in Business Administration (MBA), Economics, Psychology, International Relations, or Law in Turkey, the admissions committees will evaluate your ALES Eşit Ağırlık (EA) score. Translated as "Equal Weight," this score type requires candidates to demonstrate a balanced proficiency in both mathematical reasoning and verbal comprehension.
Unlike the SAY (Quantitative) or SÖZ (Verbal) scores, which heavily favor one section over the other, the EA score levels the playing field. To experiment with different scoring scenarios and find the optimal balance for your skills, you can use our ALES Puan Hesaplama tool.
The Mathematics of the EA Score
The defining characteristic of the EA score is the symmetrical distribution of its coefficients. Both the Quantitative and Verbal sections contribute equally to your final result.
The standard calculation formula for the EA score is:EA Score = 50 + (Quantitative Net * 0.5) + (Verbal Net * 0.5)
Remember, your "Net" score is calculated after applying the guessing penalty (4 incorrect answers cancel out 1 correct answer).
The Beauty of the 0.5 Coefficient
Because both sections carry a 0.5 multiplier, one net from the Quantitative section is mathematically equal in value to one net from the Verbal section. This provides EA candidates with incredible strategic flexibility.
Let's look at three different candidates who all aim for an EA score of 80 (which requires 60 total Nets):
- Candidate A (Balanced approach): 30 Quantitative Nets + 30 Verbal Nets.
(30 * 0.5) + (30 * 0.5) = 15 + 15 = 30 points added to the base 50 = 80 Points. - Candidate B (Math whiz): 45 Quantitative Nets + 15 Verbal Nets.
(45 * 0.5) + (15 * 0.5) = 22.5 + 7.5 = 30 points added to the base 50 = 80 Points. - Candidate C (Language expert): 15 Quantitative Nets + 45 Verbal Nets.
(15 * 0.5) + (45 * 0.5) = 7.5 + 22.5 = 30 points added to the base 50 = 80 Points.
On paper, all three strategies yield the exact same score. Your goal as an EA candidate is not necessarily to be perfect at everything, but to accumulate the highest total number of Nets, regardless of where they come from.
Strategies for EA Candidates
Because you have the freedom to choose where your points come from, time management becomes your most powerful weapon.
1. Identify and Exploit Your Strengths
Are you a foreign student applying for an MBA? If your Turkish reading speed is slow, do not waste 10 minutes on a complex Turkish reading comprehension paragraph. Instead, skip it and use those 10 minutes to solve three math problems. Since both yield the same 0.5 coefficient, the math questions are a much better return on investment for your time.
2. The Standard Deviation Nuance
While the coefficients are perfectly balanced at 0.5 in theoretical calculations, official ALES results factor in standard deviation based on the national average. Because candidates generally perform worse on the Quantitative section nationwide, math questions often have a slightly higher standard deviation. This means that in the official results, a Quantitative Net might actually be worth 0.52 points, while a Verbal Net might drop to 0.48 points.
If you are equally good at both sections and run short on time, prioritize finishing the math section, as it usually holds slightly more weight in the final statistical adjustment.
3. Avoid the "Sunk Cost" Fallacy
Many EA candidates get stuck on a difficult Logic Puzzle (Sayısal or Sözel Mantık) and refuse to move on because they've already spent 4 minutes on it. In an exam where every question across both sections has an equal baseline value, getting stuck is fatal. If a question isn't solved in 2 minutes, guess (if you can eliminate options) or leave it blank and find an easier question in the other section.
Conclusion
The ALES Equal Weight score rewards flexibility and self-awareness. By using the ALES Puan Hesaplama calculator to test your practice exam results, you can quickly identify which section yields points faster for you, allowing you to tailor a strategy that maximizes your total Net count within the 150-minute time limit.
