Hebrew Proficiency Exam
- Anglo Doctors in Israel
- May 4
- 3 min read
Updated: May 5
Hebrew Language Proficiency Test
מִבְחַן הוֹכָחַת יֶדַע בְּעִבְרִית
Miv-CHAN ho-cha-CHAT YE-da be-iv-RIT
A new requirement to prove Hebrew proficiency has been introduced for medical school graduates entering the Israeli medical system. Every doctor who studied at a non-Hebrew speaking medical school is now required to demonstrate basic Hebrew attainment before entering the Staj lottery (internship allocations).
There are whispers that this may extend to doctors converting their medical licence in Israel too, becoming a mandatory step in the licensing process. However, there is still a lot we don't know about exactly how this will look, and if it will indeed, come into play.
What we can tell you is that IMAP is now making it possible to sit a Hebrew proficiency exam at their MEDEX conferences, something that happened for the very first time at MEDEX France recently, which is an exciting development for all olim doctors.
Whilst this may feel like an extra hurdle, it is ultimately in the interest of both clinicians and patients. Arriving in Israel with a solid level of Hebrew will make the transition smoother, give you more confidence and save you stress when you start working.
How do I prove my Hebrew proficiency?
There are 4 ways:
(1) Pass the Written Yael Exam or Computer YaelNet Exam
The YAEL Exam
Administered by the National Institute for Testing and Evaluation (NITE), the YAEL is a written exam lasting approximately one and a half hours. A minimum score of 105 is required.
Exams are held at various dates in Israel — and excitingly, IMAP will be offering the opportunity to sit the exam at MEDEX conferences (!), following its successful debut at MEDEX France.
The exam has four sections:
Sections 1–3 (20 minutes each): 22 multiple-choice questions per section covering sentence completion, rephrasing, and reading comprehension
Section 4 (15 minutes): A written essay, assessed on content, structure, linguistic accuracy, and richness
More info: https://www.nite.org.il/other-tests/yael/
The YAELNET Exam
Also administered by the National Institute for Testing and Evaluation, the YAELNET is completed on a computer and must be sat at a designated test centre. It lasts approximately one hour and fifteen minutes and has three sections.
Sections 1–2 (20 minutes each): 22 multiple-choice questions covering sentence completion, rephrasing, and reading comprehension. You may navigate within a section but cannot return to it once completed.
Section 3 (20 minutes): A typed essay of 100–130 words, carrying approximately one third of the total score, assessed on content, structure, linguistic accuracy, and richness.
More info: https://www.nite.org.il/other-tests/yaelnet/
(2) Hebrew Proficiency Test - Medical Hebrew
Instead of taking the Yael exam, you can take the Ministry of Education's specific exam for medical professionals. This exam focuses more on medical terminology, and is similar to what has been used for many years as part of the process for olim nurses registering in Israel.
It can be taken as a stand alone exam or on completion of the Ministry of Education's medical ulpan course. The questions are based upon the medical ulpan, and anyone completing the course should have no difficulty passing the exam.
The Hebrew Proficiency Test lasts 3 hours, is held at various locations, multiple times a year and has a pass mark of 65%.
For more information contact Elisheva Baksht at el.achayot@gmail.com or 054-6533032.
(3) Completion of Ulpan Level Gimmel
Another way to prove your Hebrew level is by completing Ulpan level Gimmel and passing the ulpan exam, overseen by Misrad HaChinuch (Ministry of Education).
Below are examples of the exam.
(4) Pass Hebrew language matriculation exams in Israel with a score of at least 60.
