Is the Bagrut the same as the SAT?

No. The בגרות is a subject-by-subject matriculation credential marked out of 100 per subject. The closest SAT equivalent is the separate פסיכומטרי test, scored 200 to 800.

What does 5 units mean in the Bagrut?

Units (יח״ל) show a subject's level and scope. One unit is about 90 classroom hours, so a 5-unit subject represents at least about 450 hours; units are not college credits.

What is a passing Bagrut grade?

The ordinary pass mark for a Bagrut subject is 55, on a scale up to 100. A narrow זכאות חריגה rule allows one failing mark under strict conditions.

How can a Bagrut average be over 100?

Universities add a בונוס to eligible 4 and 5-unit subjects when they calculate an admissions average. The certificate mark stays at most 100; Tel Aviv University gives an example average of 108.39.

What changes in the psychometric in December 2026?

From December 2026 the פסיכומטרי has only verbal and quantitative domains, weighted equally. English is tested separately through אמירנט.

Israeli Bagrut: Units, Grades, Psychometric

The Credential

On the label or sign

בגרויות: Bagrut exams

בגרות / בחינת בגרותMatriculation exams

bagrut / bchinat bagrut

US English

Matriculation exams; loosely, a high-school exit credential

UK English

Matriculation exams; loosely, a GCSE or A-level profile

What it is

בגרות is the umbrella term for Israel's upper secondary matriculation exams and, colloquially, the resulting credential. A בחינת בגרות is one exam in one subject, and each subject and level has its own result.

The difference

בגרות is not one test and not the Israeli SAT; it is a subject-by-subject credential with set study levels.

Common mistake

Do not call בגרות "the Israeli SAT" or assume "I did my bagrut" names one exam.

On the label or sign

זכאי לתעודת בגרות: eligible for a matriculation certificate

תעודת בגרותMatriculation certificate

teudat bagrut

US English

High-school diploma plus subject transcript, roughly

UK English

A-level or GCSE results plus school-leaving credential

What it is

תעודת בגרות is the formal Ministry of Education certificate for a person who meets all eligibility requirements. The תעודת בגרות lists subjects, unit levels and final marks; graduates from 2017 onward can download a digitally signed copy.

The difference

A תעודת בגרות is more specific than a US diploma and is not identical to an A-level certificate.

Common mistake

Do not translate תעודת בגרות only as "high-school diploma" and lose the subject levels that drive admissions.

גיליון ציוניםGrade transcript

gilyon tziyunim

US English

Transcript or grade report

UK English

Statement of results or transcript

What it is

A גיליון ציונים is the detailed grade sheet of subject and level results. The Ministry's digital service provides both the certificate and the גיליון ציונים.

The difference

A גיליון ציונים is not proof of Bagrut eligibility.

Common mistake

Do not assume a גיליון ציונים proves entitlement to a full תעודת בגרות.

On the label or sign

האם את/ה זכאי/ת לבגרות?: Are you eligible for Bagrut?

זכאות לתעודת בגרותBagrut eligibility

zaka'ut le-teudat bagrut

US English

Eligibility for a full matriculation credential

UK English

Eligibility for the matriculation certificate

What it is

זכאות is earned only after all requirements are met: at least 21 externally examined or approved units, a 5-unit advanced subject, internal requirements in science, general studies and PE, and the community involvement program.

The difference

A transcript can show marks without זכאות.

Common mistake

Do not equate 12 years of school, some exams or 21 units with full זכאות.

On the label or sign

תע״ג: high-school completion certificate

12 שנות לימוד / תעודת גמר תיכוןHigh-school completion

shteim-esre shnot limud / teudat gemar tichon

US English

Completion of 12th grade

UK English

School-leaving certificate

What it is

12 שנות לימוד or a תעודת גמר תיכון (תע״ג) is proof of 12 years of schooling. A תע״ג can support employment or entry to some training and preparatory routes.

The difference

A תעודת גמר תיכון does not qualify the holder for ordinary academic admission as a Bagrut would.

Common mistake

Do not say "I finished high school, so I have Bagrut."

בגרות חלקיתPartial Bagrut

bagrut chelkit

US English

Partial matriculation record

UK English

Partial matriculation results

What it is

בגרות חלקית describes someone with some Bagrut subjects or units who has not met every condition for the full certificate. בגרות חלקית may lead to a designated mechina or a completion route.

The difference

בגרות חלקית is not worth a fixed fraction of a full Bagrut.

Common mistake

Do not treat בגרות חלקית as a partial certificate with a set value.

תעודת סיום תיכון מחו״לForeign high-school diploma

teudat siyum tichon me-chul

US English

Foreign high-school diploma

UK English

Overseas secondary-school qualification

What it is

A תעודת סיום תיכון מחו״ל is a foreign school credential, evaluated under each receiving institution's rules. Tel Aviv University uses its own evaluator and may direct a candidate to a mechina.

The difference

A foreign diploma is not automatically converted to a Bagrut; the outcome depends on country, subjects, levels, marks and intended degree.

Common mistake

Do not ask for one universal US GPA or A-level to Bagrut conversion.

Units and Subjects

On the label or sign

מס׳ יחידות: number of units

יחידת לימוד / יח״לStudy unit

yechidat limud / yachal

US English

Subject level and workload unit, not a credit

UK English

Subject level unit, not UCAS points

What it is

A יחידת לימוד expresses the scope, depth and teaching time of a school subject; the Ministry estimates one unit at about 90 classroom hours. Externally examined subjects run from 1 to 5 units, shown as 3, 4 or 5 for maths and English.

The difference

יח״ל are not US college credits. A 5-unit mark of 70 is not automatically worse for admission than a 3-unit mark of 90.

Common mistake

Do not add יח״ל as if they were credits.

On the label or sign

מקצועות חובה: compulsory subjects

מקצוע חובהCompulsory subject

miktzo'a chova

US English

Required core subject

UK English

Compulsory subject

What it is

A מקצוע חובה is required for the pupil's education stream. In Hebrew state education the basic set is Bible, Hebrew language, literature or Jewish thought, history, civics, mathematics and English, with at least 2 units in each humanities subject and 3 in maths and English.

The difference

The מקצוע חובה set and units differ in state-religious, Arab, Druze and Haredi frameworks. Some universities require at least 4 units of English.

Common mistake

Do not apply the Hebrew state-school list to every Israeli pupil.

On the label or sign

5 יח״ל: 5 units

מקצוע מורחב / מוגברAdvanced 5-unit subject

miktzo'a murchav / mugbar

US English

Advanced elective major

UK English

Advanced subject, loosely A-level style

What it is

A מקצוע מורחב is studied and externally assessed at 5 units. Eligibility requires one; a pupil may sit external exams in at most three 5-unit subjects beyond maths and English.

The difference

5-unit English does not count as the required מקצוע מורחב.

Common mistake

Do not assume 5-unit English alone meets the מקצוע מורחב rule.

עבודת גמרResearch thesis

avodat gemar

US English

Senior thesis

UK English

Extended research project

What it is

An עבודת גמר is an academic research project that may replace the exam in a 5-unit expanded subject and gets a weighted final mark on the certificate.

The difference

Not every school project is a Ministry-recognized עבודת גמר.

Common mistake

Do not treat any school project as a 5-unit עבודת גמר.

On the label or sign

פנימי: internal

מקצוע פנימי / הערכה פנימיתInternal requirement

miktzo'a pnimi / ha'aracha pnimit

US English

Internally assessed requirement

UK English

Non-exam internal assessment

What it is

A מקצוע פנימי is a school-assessed requirement without a national exam, such as physical education and general education.

The difference

A מקצוע פנימי still matters for eligibility.

Common mistake

Do not ignore a מקצוע פנימי because there is no external exam.

Marks

On the label or sign

הערכה חיצונית: external assessment

שאלון / ציון בחינהExam paper and exam mark

she'elon / tziyun bchina

US English

Exam paper or module

UK English

Examination paper or component

What it is

A שאלון is a numbered exam paper; a subject may have more than one, especially English and maths. The ציון בחינה is the mark on the external exam.

The difference

The result for one שאלון is not the final subject grade.

Common mistake

Do not read one שאלון result as the whole subject result.

ציון שנתי / ציון מגןSchool annual mark

tziyun shnati / tziyun magen

US English

School-submitted annual mark

UK English

School assessment contribution

What it is

The ציון שנתי is the school mark submitted before the external exam, forming 30% of the external assessment portion. ציון מגן is the common colloquial name.

The difference

The ציון מגן is not a guaranteed protective grade and is not printed separately on the final official record.

Common mistake

Do not read ציון מגן literally as a mark that can never lower the result.

On the label or sign

הערכה חלופית: alternative assessment

ציון סופיFinal subject mark

tziyun sofi

US English

Final subject grade

UK English

Final subject mark

What it is

The ציון סופי is the official subject result on a 0 to 100 scale. In the common model, 70% comes from the assessment block (exam 70%, annual mark 30%) and 30% from school alternative assessment (הערכה חלופית).

The difference

In that model the effective weights are 49% exam, 21% annual mark and 30% alternative assessment.

Common mistake

Do not average the visible component marks equally to predict the ציון סופי.

ציון עובר / נכשלPass mark (55)

tziyun over / nichshal

US English

Pass or fail

UK English

Pass or fail

What it is

The ordinary pass mark for a Bagrut subject is 55.

The difference

A 50 is not a pass even though the scale is out of 100.

Common mistake

Do not assume half marks is a ציון עובר.

זכאות חריגהExceptional eligibility

zaka'ut chariga

US English

Exceptional certificate eligibility

UK English

Exceptional award rule

What it is

זכאות חריגה allows one failing final mark if every Ministry condition is met: the failed mark is at least 45, or two other subjects of at least 3 units total at least 150, and all other marks are at least 55. The failure cannot be Hebrew expression for Jewish schools or Arabic for Arab and Druze schools.

The difference

זכאות חריגה does not erase the failing mark, and some universities still require passing maths and English.

Common mistake

Do not say one failed subject is always allowed.

On the label or sign

ממוצע מיטבי: optimal average

ממוצע בגרות / ממוצע מותאםBagrut average

memutza bagrut / memutza mut'am

US English

Weighted matriculation GPA

UK English

Weighted matriculation average

What it is

The ממוצע בגרות is an average of subject marks weighted by units. A university's ממוצע מותאם or ממוצע מיטבי adds bonuses and may drop subjects that lower the result.

The difference

A ממוצע מותאם can exceed 100; Tel Aviv University's calculation page gives an example of 108.39. The method can change each year and differs between universities.

Common mistake

Do not average marks by hand without unit weights, or carry one university's ממוצע מותאם to another.

בונוסAdmissions bonus

bonus

US English

Honors-style admissions weighting

UK English

Enhanced-subject admissions weighting

What it is

A בונוס is extra points added to eligible 4 and 5-unit subjects only for the admissions average, from an unbonused mark of 60 upward. The Ministry's general pattern adds 35 for 5-unit maths, 25 for 5-unit English and 20 for other 5-unit subjects.

The difference

Each university sets its own בונוס: Tel Aviv gives 25 to named 5-unit subjects such as physics, and Hebrew University adds 15 to 4-unit English and maths.

Common mistake

Do not say a pupil scored 116 in chemistry; the certificate mark was 91 and the בונוס applied only in one university's calculation.

Psychometric and Placement Tests

On the label or sign

מאל״ו: NITE, the testing body

הבחינה הפסיכומטרית / פסיכומטריPsychometric entrance test

ha-bchina ha-psichometrit / psichometri

US English

SAT or ACT-style admissions test, closest

UK English

Admissions aptitude test; no routine equivalent

What it is

The פסיכומטרי is a separate national university selection test run by NITE (מאל״ו), with a general score from 200 to 800. NITE's Combined/English version is bilingual and not offered on every date.

The difference

The פסיכומטרי is not part of the Bagrut and not on a 100-point scale; the SAT itself uses 400 to 1600. Some programs offer routes without it.

Common mistake

Do not assume every program requires the פסיכומטרי or that an English-only paper exists.

On the label or sign

חשיבה מילולית: verbal reasoning
חשיבה כמותית: quantitative reasoning

ציון דו־תחומיTwo-domain score (Dec 2026)

tziyun du-tchumi

US English

Two-domain composite score

UK English

Two-domain composite score

What it is

From December 2026, the psychometric general score combines verbal (חשיבה מילולית) and quantitative (חשיבה כמותית) reasoning equally. Through September 2026 the test also had an English domain, and each domain score runs from 50 to 150.

The difference

Domain scores of 50 to 150 are not the 200 to 800 general score. Old scores remain valid for at least seven years.

Common mistake

Do not describe the old three-domain format as current after December 2026.

אמירנטEnglish placement test

AMIRNET

US English

English placement test

UK English

University English placement test

What it is

אמירנט is NITE's computer-adaptive English placement test, scored 50 to 150. From December 2026 אמירנט is the separate English route because English leaves the psychometric test.

The difference

NITE says an English placement test is required for higher education unless a program's rules say otherwise.

Common mistake

Do not treat אמירנט as another 200 to 800 test or assume a native English background brings an exemption.

יע״ל / יעלנטHebrew proficiency test

YAEL / YAELNET

US English

Hebrew placement test

UK English

Hebrew placement test

What it is

יע״ל is NITE's Hebrew proficiency test for candidates educated or tested in another language. A non-Hebrew psychometric examinee may take יע״ל after the regular test without an extra fee.

The difference

The יע״ל result is separate from the psychometric score.

Common mistake

Do not assume the Hebrew result is built into the 200 to 800 score.

On the label or sign

חתך קבלה: acceptance cutoff

ציון התאמה / סכםUniversity admissions score

tziyun hat'ama / sechem

US English

Institutional admissions index

UK English

Institutional admissions score

What it is

ציון התאמה is Tel Aviv University's score combining its adjusted Bagrut average with the psychometric score. סכם is the common term elsewhere; Ben-Gurion uses several versions.

The difference

Programs apply a חתך קבלה, an acceptance cutoff, to the ציון התאמה, and last year's cutoff is only an indication.

Common mistake

Do not treat ציון התאמה or סכם as a national score that transfers between universities.

Candidates and Mechina

On the label or sign

מועד קיץ: summer session

נבחן אקסטרני / נבחן משנהExternal and repeat candidates

nivchan eksterni / nivchan mishne

US English

Independent or repeat candidate

UK English

Private or resit candidate

What it is

A נבחן אקסטרני sits exams through the external system with an external file, valid for seven years under the 2026 guidance. A נבחן משנה finished 12 years at school and returns through that school to improve results.

The difference

A נבחן אינטרני is a regular school candidate. Exams run in a winter (מועד חורף) and summer (מועד קיץ) session.

Common mistake

Do not call every adult resit candidate נבחן אקסטרני.

On the label or sign

השלמת בגרויות: Bagrut completion

מכינה קדם־אקדמיתPre-academic mechina

mechina kdam-akademit

US English

Pre-university preparatory program

UK English

Foundation or access program

What it is

A מכינה קדם־אקדמית prepares candidates for university, completes or improves Bagrut subjects, or provides an alternative admissions average. Tracks include קדם־ייעודי for those with 12 years but no Bagrut, and ייעודי for those with a partial Bagrut.

The difference

A מכינה קדם־אקדמית certificate does not automatically replace a Bagrut everywhere; recognition depends on the institution and the degree.

Common mistake

Do not assume a humanities מכינה track meets science or engineering prerequisites.

On the label or sign

קד״צ: pre-military

מכינה קדם־צבאית (קד״צ)Pre-military mechina

mechina kdam-tzva'it

US English

Pre-military gap-year program

UK English

Pre-military gap-year program

What it is

A מכינה קדם־צבאית is a non-academic framework preparing grade 12 graduates for military service and civic life.

The difference

A מכינה קדם־צבאית is unrelated to university admission.

Common mistake

Do not hear "mechina" and assume a מכינה קדם־צבאית improves an admissions average.

מכינת עוליםImmigrant mechina

mechinat olim

US English

Immigrant pre-university program

UK English

International foundation program

What it is

A מכינת עולים prepares eligible new immigrant students with advanced Hebrew, English, academic skills, introductory courses and YAEL preparation.

The difference

Funding depends on current Student Authority rules, and some institutions require a מכינת עולים only when a foreign diploma is not equivalent to a Bagrut.

Common mistake

Do not assume every new immigrant must attend a מכינת עולים.

מימ״דMechina placement test

MIMAD

US English

Preparatory-program placement test

UK English

Foundation placement test

What it is

מימ״ד is a NITE test used to select candidates for mechinot, with a general score from 50 to 650.

The difference

מימ״ד is not the psychometric test.

Common mistake

Do not confuse מימ״ד with the 200 to 800 psychometric test.

You know	In Israel	Keep in mind
High-school exit exams	בחינות בגרותbchinot bagrut	Subject by subject, not one test
Diploma plus transcript	תעודת בגרותteudat bagrut	Lists subjects, units and marks
Course level (AP, A-level)	יח״לyachal	Level and scope, not credits
Weighted GPA	ממוצע בגרותmemutza bagrut	Can exceed 100 with bonuses
SAT or ACT	פסיכומטריpsichometri	Separate test, 200 to 800
English placement	אמירנטAMIRNET	Separate from December 2026
Foundation year	מכינה קדם־אקדמיתmechina kdam-akademit	Recognition varies
Gap-year program	מכינה קדם־צבאיתmechina kdam-tzva'it	Not university preparation

Mix-Ups to Avoid

The Credential

בגרות / בחינת בגרותMatriculation exams

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

תעודת בגרותMatriculation certificate

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

גיליון ציוניםGrade transcript

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

זכאות לתעודת בגרותBagrut eligibility

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

12 שנות לימוד / תעודת גמר תיכוןHigh-school completion

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

בגרות חלקיתPartial Bagrut

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

תעודת סיום תיכון מחו״לForeign high-school diploma

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

Units and Subjects

יחידת לימוד / יח״לStudy unit

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מקצוע חובהCompulsory subject

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מקצוע מורחב / מוגברAdvanced 5-unit subject

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

עבודת גמרResearch thesis

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

מקצוע פנימי / הערכה פנימיתInternal requirement

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

Marks

שאלון / ציון בחינהExam paper and exam mark

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

ציון שנתי / ציון מגןSchool annual mark

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

ציון סופיFinal subject mark

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

ציון עובר / נכשלPass mark (55)

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

זכאות חריגהExceptional eligibility

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

ממוצע בגרות / ממוצע מותאםBagrut average

What it is

The difference

Common mistake

בונוסAdmissions bonus

What it is

The difference

Common mistake