The YAEL Hebrew test: 50 to 150, one section that doesn't count, and no score anyone has to accept
YAEL (יע"ל) is the Hebrew proficiency test of NITE, Israel's National Institute for Testing and Evaluation. Most Israeli universities and colleges ask for a YAEL score from applicants who took the Psychometric Entrance Test (PET) in a language other than Hebrew, or whose Bagrut was in another language.
Everything below was read on NITE's own pages (nite.org.il, English version) on 8 November 2026. Israeli citizenship has no Hebrew test of this kind: the statute asks for "some knowledge of Hebrew", judged in a conversation when you file. See our citizenship requirements table.
Two names, one test
YAEL is the paper version, and it now exists only straight after the PET: if you register for the PET in a language other than Hebrew, you are registered for YAEL automatically, at no extra fee. NITE says you cannot register for paper YAEL on its own.
YAELNET is the computer version, identical in content. It is the only way to take the test independently of the PET.
What is on it
About an hour and a half, in four sections:
Three multiple-choice sections, each 22 questions in 20 minutes: sentence completions, restatements and reading comprehension, four options per question.
One essay, 15 minutes. Two raters mark it on content, structure, the richness of your language and correctness. An essay that is too short or off the topic is not marked and gets the minimum score.
Only two of the three multiple-choice sections count. The third is used to check new questions, and you cannot tell which one it is. Treat all three as real.
The score: 50 to 150
The multiple-choice part and the essay are each put on a 50–150 scale, and the final score is a weighted average: multiple choice two thirds, essay one third. Your report shows all three numbers.
NITE sets no pass mark. Each institution decides what a score means for you. Usually it decides whether you must take Hebrew courses, and at what level; at some institutions it is also an admission criterion. Check the institution's own page for its numbers.
If you have several scores, institutions typically use the highest, NITE says, but tells you to confirm that with each one.
Fee, places and retakes
YAELNET costs 300 shekels. Changing the date costs 135. It runs year-round at NITE's centres in Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Be'er Sheva, and from time to time at institutions, which you then register with directly.
Retake as often as you like, with at least 35 days between attempts, counting YAEL and YAELNET together.
Results: YAELNET on NITE's website within 10 days (not by email). Paper YAEL after the PET: within 45 days, online and by email. NITE sends scores automatically to Ben-Gurion, Bar-Ilan, Haifa, the Hebrew University, Tel Aviv, the Technion, Ariel and the Open University, and free on request to the others it lists. You cannot send a score yourself.
You can ask for a manual re-check of the answer sheet up to 3 months after the test. The essay is not re-marked.
Taking it abroad, and the next dates
Outside Israel, YAEL is taken right after an overseas PET (held in Europe and Latin America): tick it in Section D of the registration form. The overseas PET fee is NIS 950 / US$260 / €230; YAEL is not charged on top.
Test accommodations are only available in Israel, and only on YAELNET. If you have accommodations for the PET, you cannot take YAEL straight after it; NITE contacts you about a YAELNET sitting.
Watch the PET language list. On NITE's schedule read on 8 November 2026, the 4 and 6 December 2026 sittings are Hebrew and Arabic only; English, Russian and French return on 18–19 April 2027.
Our reading: the essay is a third of the score and you have 15 minutes. Writing short texts against the clock, and having someone correct them, is the practice that matches it.
Mistakes worth avoiding
Skipping or rushing one multiple-choice section because "one doesn't count".
Treating all three as scored.
NITE says only two count, and you cannot tell which.
Booking a YAELNET retake a few weeks after the first attempt.
Leaving at least 35 days between attempts.
NITE requires 35 days between any two YAEL or YAELNET sittings.
Looking for the YAEL pass mark.
Reading each institution's own requirement.
NITE publishes no required score; each institution decides.
Questions
What is the YAEL test scored out of?
50 to 150. Multiple choice counts for two thirds and the essay for one third.
How much does YAELNET cost?
300 shekels, according to NITE's page read on 8 November 2026. YAEL taken straight after a PET in another language is free.
How long is the YAEL Hebrew test?
About an hour and a half: three 20-minute sections of 22 multiple-choice questions and a 15-minute essay.
How often can you retake YAEL?
As often as you like, with at least 35 days between attempts.
What YAEL score do Israeli universities require?
NITE does not set one. Each institution decides, usually to place you in Hebrew courses, sometimes for admission.
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