The crystallization kinetics of ZrO2-Y2O3 (3 mol%) dried gels prepared by four different methods was studied by differential scanning calorimetry. It was found that the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami model cannot be used for the description of crystallization of tetragonal zirconia crystals formed in the gel. It was established that this crystallization process can be described by the empirical Sestak-Berggren equation. The influence of the method of preparation is discussed.