255: Bagrut (Matriculation Examination)

Bagrut is Israel's national high school matriculation system, students take ~12-15 separate exams over grades 10-12 in core subjects. Each subject has 1-5 unit options (yechidot), and students choose their depth per subject. Required minimum: ivrit, English, math, history, Tanach, civics, and one science (biology/chemistry/physics). To earn a full Bagrut diploma (te'udat bagrut), students need passing grades in core subjects plus electives totaling 21+ units. Olim with foreign diplomas can apply for Bagrut equivalency through Misrad HaChinuch.

Cultural note, The Bagrut score (memutza bagrut) is critical for university admission alongside the psychometric. Strong Bagrut + 700+ psychometric = elite university acceptance. Students study for years for Bagrut, most take 5-unit courses in 2-3 subjects to boost their average. Cheating during Bagrut is a national scandal each summer. Religious students sit Bagrut in Tanach and Talmud (gemara), often at higher unit counts. The summer Bagrut sessions (June-July) are stressful, exam halls in iriyot host thousands of students simultaneously.

Bagrut: The Matriculation Exam

Bagrut Basics

Bagrut Subjects

Grading System

Bagrut Logistics

Strategy & Help

Final Bagrut Prep