Education in Israel

Matriculation Examination - "Bagrut"

The Israeli public school system includes the following levels:
 
• Primary schools - grades 1-6;
• Middle schools – grades 7-9;
• Upper secondary/high school – grades 10-12.
 
Matriculation Examination – "Bagrut"
 
The Bagrut certificate is awarded by the national Ministry of Education to secondary school pupils who succeed in achieving passing grades in a required minimum set of examinations, some in required subjects and others in electives.
 
The Bagrut examinations are utilized to assess the pupils' knowledge on subjects studied in high school. While frequently compared to the New York State Regents' Exams and ETS Advanced Placement (AP) tests, the results of the Bagrut exams have even greater implications for the individual's future.  In Israel, acceptance into elite military units, academic studies, and employment are heavily influenced by receipt of a Bagrut certificate and the Bagrut scores achieved.
 
The score recorded for the pupil in each of the subjects included in his/her Bagrut certificate is the average of the grade fixed by his/her high school and the grade received on a final examination set and graded by the Ministry of Education.

Subjects are tested a study unit level, ranging from 1 to 5 units.  In general, each unit represents ninety (90) class hours devoted to the field in question.
 
The current list of subjects in which all candidates for the Bagrut must be tested is as follows: 

Pupils may choose to devote more of their program of studies to the above subjects and be tested at a level higher than the minimum required.
 
In addition to the required core subjects, each candidate for the Bagrut must be tested in one or more elective subjects, determined in keeping with the pupil's interests and the course offerings of the high school in which he/she is enrolled.  Elective subjects are tested at the 3, 4, or 5 unit levels.

Bagrut examination scores are ranked according to the following scale: 

In order to be awarded a Bagrut certificate, the candidate must be tested in subjects totaling at least 20 study units – 15 units in the required subjects and at least one elective subject, tested at the 5 unit level. A candidate will not be awarded a Bagrut certificate if he/she:

• has received a grade of 39 or lower in any required subject;
• has received a grade of 44 or lower in either Hebrew Grammar or 

  Hebrew Composition;
• has received a grade of 44 or lower in any two required subjects

  other than Hebrew Grammar or Composition;
• has not achieved a passing grade of 45 or higher in a 5 unit elective

  subject.

The Bagrut certificate contains the following information:
 
• pupil's name and national identification number;
• high school from which the pupil graduated;
• list of subjects, study units, and national-external and high school-

  internal scores. 

Pupils who intend to undertake academic degree studies at an Israeli university or college after graduating from high school need to prepare themselves to be tested in English at the 4 unit level, and in Mathematics at 4 or 5 unit level. Typically students take at least one elective course at the 5 unit level. Entrance requirements vary depending on the field of study, and certain faculties require more than one course at the 5 unit level.

The 3-year BA degree

By state role, the minimum length of study for a bachelor's degree is three years. Most bachelor's degree programs at universities in Israel require three years of intensive study in a single or dual major. Exceptions are nursing, engineering, architecture, and law degrees, degrees in these fields are granted after four years of study.

Requirements for degrees are specified in terms of credit points. The curriculum is very intensive and can reach up to forty hours per week. Students take anywhere from six to ten three unit courses per semester. The focus is on class attendance, participation in class, seminar papers and developing research skills.

Different from the U.S. degree, the Israeli degree does not require general studies and does not include distribution requirements which mandate course work in fields not directly related to the student's major.

The degree is designed for mature students who are expected to complete an intense academic curriculum in a specialized field of study. That is to say that students focus on their major from the beginning of the first year to the end of the program of study. For example: while Plant science major is required to take at least a minimum load of courses in mathematics, physics and chemistry, he/she is not required to take courses in social sciences or humanities.

During the second and third years of study students take advanced courses in their field of study: hence students who complete their first degree are advanced in their field. With the Israeli UG degree, students may continue toward a master's degree or join the job market.

In conclusion, the Israeli BA degree is highly respected in the U.S. and worldwide. Many students who graduated from Israeli institutions have been accepted to U.S. institutions without further requirements to complete courses. To be exact, over 1500 Israeli students who are currently studying in the U.S. for various graduate degrees have not faced any admission issues in regards to their Israeli BA degree.

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