Education in Israel: school stages, Bagrut, and university admission
A factual overview of Israel's school stages, the Bagrut matriculation system, the Psychometric Entrance Test (PET), and higher education admission.
In short
Israel maintains a structured education system administered by the Ministry of Education. Compulsory schooling spans twelve grades across primary, middle, and upper secondary tiers. Public education operates through recognized streams serving diverse cultural and linguistic communities, including state secular, state religious, Arab, and ultra-Orthodox institutions. High school studies culminate in the Bagrut matriculation certificate, which assesses student mastery across mandatory core disciplines and elective academic majors. Entrance to Israeli universities and academic colleges requires both the Bagrut certificate and the Psychometric Entrance Test (PET), a standardized examination administered by the National Institute for Testing and Evaluation (NITE). Together, secondary matriculation performance and psychometric results form a composite admission score that determines placement in higher education programs.
School stages
Primary and secondary education in Israel spans twelve years of formal study, organized into three stages according to national educational legislation. The standard school year begins on September first and concludes in late June for elementary pupils or mid-June for secondary students.
- Primary School (Beit Sefer Yesodi): Covers Grade 1 through Grade 6 for children aged six to twelve. Curriculum focuses on basic literacy, Hebrew or Arabic language acquisition, mathematics, natural science, geography, music, and physical education. Core instruction is delivered primarily by a homeroom teacher, supported by specialized subject instructors in science and physical culture.
- Middle School (Chativat Beynayim): Covers Grade 7 through Grade 9 for pupils aged twelve to fifteen. This intermediate tier was established to bridge elementary foundations and specialized high school studies. The curriculum expands to include algebra, Euclidean geometry, introductory physics, biology, history, civic education, and a mandatory foreign language, generally English alongside Arabic or Hebrew.
- Upper Secondary School (Chativat Elyona): Covers Grade 10 through Grade 12 for students aged fifteen to eighteen. Education at this level shifts toward academic departmentalization and credit accumulation. Students fulfill common core requirements while choosing one or more specialized subjects, known as expanded tracks, in fields such as advanced mathematics, physics, computer science, biology, chemistry, literature, or social sciences. Successful completion leads to the Bagrut matriculation diploma.
Curricula in use
The Israeli public school system is organized into distinct educational streams designed to accommodate the nation's diverse demographic traditions while adhering to a shared national core curriculum.
| School Stream | Instructional Language | Educational Orientation | Main Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Secular (Mamlachti) | Hebrew | General academic and liberal studies | Bagrut Matriculation |
| State Religious (Mamlachti-Dati) | Hebrew | Academic studies with intensive Jewish heritage | Bagrut Matriculation |
| Arab and Druze Sector | Arabic | Academic curriculum highlighting Arab/Druze culture | Bagrut Matriculation |
| Independent Ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) | Hebrew / Yiddish | Intensive Torah studies and basic core subjects | Bagrut / Internal Certificates |
| International and Diplomatic Schools | English / French | Foreign national or international frameworks | International Baccalaureate, SAT |
State secular and state religious streams follow educational standards formulated by the Ministry of Education, sharing universal requirements in mathematics, science, English, and civics. International schools operate primarily in central urban areas and cater to expatriate families and international students.
Exams by stage
Standardized evaluation in Israeli schools combines internal school-based grades with external national examinations administered by the Ministry of Education.
- National Meitzav Benchmarks: Administered in Grade 5 and Grade 8, these diagnostic evaluations assess school-level performance in mathematics, mother tongue, English, and science to guide instructional improvements.
- Bagrut Matriculation Examinations: Administered during Grades 10, 11, and 12, the Bagrut is the central secondary credential in Israel. Examinations are calibrated in study units termed Yehidot Limud, ranging from one to five units per discipline:
- Mandatory Core Subjects: All matriculation candidates must sit examinations in Hebrew or Arabic grammar and literature, English language, mathematics, civics, history, and Jewish thought or cultural heritage.
- Unit Depth and Specialization: English and mathematics are taken at three, four, or five study units. Five-unit courses represent the most advanced syllabus level and carry bonus weighting in higher education evaluations. In addition, candidates must complete at least one academic major at the five-unit level.
- School Magen Grade: A student's final Bagrut score in each subject blends the external national examination grade with an internal protective school mark (Tsiyun Magen), reflecting semester tests and class participation throughout the year.
University entry
Higher education in Israel includes research universities, publicly funded academic colleges, and private specialized institutions accredited by the Council for Higher Education (CHE).
Undergraduate admission operates on a selective numerical index known as the Sekhem or composite score. This composite rating balances two primary metrics:
- Weighted Bagrut Grade Average: The student's matriculation grade point average, calculated after applying institutional bonus multipliers for five-unit completions in mathematics, physics, and science disciplines.
- Psychometric Entrance Test (PET / Psychometry): A standardized examination developed and scored by the National Institute for Testing and Evaluation (NITE). The PET measures cognitive abilities across three test sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and English. The test is offered in Hebrew, Arabic, Russian, French, and a combined English-Hebrew version across five annual test windows.
Selective departments such as medicine, engineering, law, and computer science establish elevated Sekhem thresholds. Candidates whose secondary schooling took place in a non-Hebrew environment must also demonstrate Hebrew proficiency through the YAEL exam, while international students submit recognized foreign benchmarks including the SAT, International Baccalaureate, or ACT.
Preparing with GetMyMockTest
GetMyMockTest offers focused question sets and timed mock examinations to support candidates preparing for major secondary and tertiary examinations in Israel.
- Bagrut Matriculation Practice: Practice questions across core mathematical problems, calculus, and scientific reasoning for secondary syllabi.
- Psychometric Entrance Test Preparation: Improve pacing and analytical problem solving across Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and English sections.
- International Examination Review: Access practice materials for global entrance requirements, including SAT, International Baccalaureate, IELTS, and TOEFL assessments.