FAQ – Hebrew Level Test
Does this level test provide an official result?
No, this Hebrew test is a free assessment tool. It does not provide any recognized certification and has no official value. Its purpose is to position you approximately on the CEFR scale and guide you toward official exams suited to your learning needs.
Why take this test if it’s not certifying?
This test allows you to identify your strengths and weaknesses without pressure, prepare for official exam formats, track your progress over time, and define a targeted study program. It’s a guide for your learning, not a formal validation.
What are the official Hebrew certifications?
The main recognized Hebrew certifications are: Yael Test (official test by the Israeli Ministry of Education, 6 levels from beginner to advanced), STAM (Standard Tests for Advanced Mastery – for biblical and modern Hebrew), and Ulpan exams (intensive learning centers in Israel). For immigration to Israel (Aliyah), specific tests are required. Israeli universities generally have their own entrance exams to assess the Hebrew level of international students.
Is it difficult to learn Hebrew?
Hebrew presents unique challenges but is more accessible than one might think. Difficulties: Hebrew alphabet (aleph-bet) of 22 consonants to master, right-to-left reading, vowels generally absent in current texts (niqqud present only in texts for beginners), triliteral root system (3 consonants), guttural pronunciation, mandatory grammatical gender. Advantages: phonetic alphabet mastered in 2-3 weeks, relatively regular conjugation, no uppercase or lowercase, logical grammatical structure based on roots, flexible word order, modern vocabulary largely inspired by ancient roots. For English speakers, count 300-400 hours to reach basic conversational level.
How do you say hello in Hebrew?
There are several ways to greet in Hebrew depending on context and time of day:
- שלום (Shalom) – Hello/Goodbye/Peace – universal and most common greeting
- בוקר טוב (Boker tov) – Good morning (literally “good morning”) – used in the morning
- ערב טוב (Erev tov) – Good evening (literally “good evening”)
- לילה טוב (Layla tov) – Good night
- היי (Hai) – Hi (informal, borrowed from English)
- מה נשמע? (Ma nishma?) – What’s up? How are you?
- מה קורה? (Ma kore?) – What’s happening? (very informal)
The typical response to “Ma nishma?” is בסדר (Beseder – “okay”, literally “in order”) or טוב (Tov – “good”).
What is Hebrew level B1?
Level B1 in Hebrew corresponds to the independent user capable of functioning in most daily situations. At this stage, you can understand the main points of clear speech on familiar topics, handle most travel situations in Israel, produce simple connected discourse on familiar topics, narrate events and experiences, read texts with niqqud (vowels) and begin reading without them, write simple texts on known topics, and master approximately 2000-2500 vocabulary words. B1 typically represents 400-600 hours of study and is often the minimum to work in Hebrew in a simple context or follow university courses with support.
What is the Hebrew alphabet (aleph-bet)?
The aleph-bet (אלפבית) is the Hebrew alphabet composed of 22 letters, all consonants. Characteristics: reads from right to left, some letters have a different form at the end of words (sofit), no uppercase/lowercase distinction, numerical value system (gematria). The 22 letters are: א (aleph), ב (bet), ג (gimel), ד (dalet), ה (he), ו (vav), ז (zayin), ח (het), ט (tet), י (yod), כ/ך (kaf), ל (lamed), מ/ם (mem), נ/ן (nun), ס (samekh), ע (ayin), פ/ף (pe), צ/ץ (tsadi), ק (qof), ר (resh), ש (shin/sin), ת (tav). The alphabet is generally mastered in 2-3 weeks with regular practice.
What is niqqud?
Niqqud (ניקוד) is the system of vowel signs placed under, over, or inside Hebrew letters to indicate vowels. There are 5 main vowels in Hebrew: a (patah/qamats), e (segol/tsere), i (hiriq), o (holam), u (qubuts/shuruq). Niqqud is present in texts for beginners, children’s books, poetry, and religious texts, but absent from most daily texts (newspapers, websites, books). Learning to read without niqqud is a major milestone that typically occurs at A2-B1 level and requires good vocabulary and grammar knowledge to guess the correct vowels.
What is the difference between modern and biblical Hebrew?
Modern Hebrew (עברית מודרנית – Ivrit) is the language spoken in Israel today, revived and modernized in the 20th century. Biblical Hebrew (עברית מקראית) is the language of the Torah and ancient texts. Main differences: vocabulary (modern Hebrew has integrated thousands of new words for modern concepts), pronunciation (simplified in modern Hebrew), grammar (modern Hebrew simplified some conjugations), use of verb tenses (different). Most Hebrew courses teach modern Hebrew, but basic knowledge helps understand religious texts. Both share the same alphabet and root system.
What is the root system in Hebrew?
The triliteral root system (שורש) is at the heart of Hebrew. Almost all Hebrew words derive from a 3-consonant root that carries a basic meaning. For example, the root כ-ת-ב (K-T-B) means “to write”: כתב (katav – he wrote), כותב (kotev – writing/writes), כתיבה (ktiva – writing), מכתב (mikhtav – letter), כתובת (ktovet – address). Understanding this system allows you to learn vocabulary faster and guess the meaning of unknown words. There are approximately 2000 main roots in modern Hebrew, and mastering the 500 most common covers the majority of daily needs.
How long does it take to learn Hebrew?
Learning time varies according to your goals and study intensity: A1-A2: 150-300 hours (4-8 months at 3-4h/week), B1: 400-600 cumulative hours (1-1.5 years), B2: 800-1000 cumulative hours (2-3 years), C1-C2: 1200-2000 cumulative hours (3-5 years). Immersion in Israel with an intensive Ulpan program can bring you to B1 in 5-6 months. Ulpan programs typically offer 20-25 hours of classes per week. For people who know Arabic, learning is facilitated by linguistic similarities (Semitic alphabets, similar roots).
Is Ulpan necessary to learn Hebrew?
Ulpan (אולפן) is an intensive Hebrew learning program in Israel, but is not mandatory. Ulpan advantages: total immersion, rapid progress (5 months to reach B1), interaction with other immigrants, proven method for decades, often free or subsidized for new immigrants (Olim). Alternatives: online courses with native teacher, learning apps, evening classes in diaspora, self-study with resources. Ulpan remains the fastest and most effective method to achieve fluency, but individualized online courses can be just as effective with discipline and regular practice.
Do I need Hebrew to live in Israel?
It depends on your situation. For permanent immigration (Aliyah), Hebrew is strongly recommended: it facilitates social integration, is required for most jobs (except international sectors), necessary for administrative procedures, and allows full participation in Israeli life. For tourism or short stays, English generally suffices in tourist areas. For studies: most university programs require B2-C1 level, some programs in English are available. For work: tech/high-tech sectors often accept English, other sectors generally require Hebrew. Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are more English-speaking than other cities.
How can I progress after this test?
To progress effectively in Hebrew: study with a native teacher who corrects your guttural pronunciation, practice the aleph-bet daily until automated, learn the root system to decipher vocabulary, watch Israeli series and films with subtitles, listen to podcasts and Israeli radio, read first with niqqud then gradually without, practice handwriting (different from print), join conversation groups, use SRS apps for vocabulary, and immerse yourself in Israeli culture. The key is consistency: 20-30 minutes daily surpasses 3 weekly hours.
Why learn Hebrew in 2025?
Hebrew offers unique opportunities: cultural connection with Jewish tradition and biblical texts in their original language; tech hub – Israel is the “Startup Nation” with a thriving tech sector; professional opportunities in tech, medicine, cybersecurity; immigration – facilitates Aliyah and integration in Israel; rare language – competitive advantage in the job market; global community of 9 million speakers; rich culture between ancient tradition and innovative modernity; direct access to Israeli literature, music, cinema. Hebrew is also the only language successfully “revived” in modern history.
From assessment to mastery: dive into Hebrew!
You’ve assessed your level, now take your first class lesson of Hebrew! BreakIntoLingo connects you with experienced native Hebrew teachers who will guide you from aleph-bet to conversational fluency. Our teachers master the art of teaching the root system, reading without niqqud, and the subtleties of Hebrew pronunciation, while immersing you in contemporary Israeli culture.
Book your Hebrew lesson and discover this fascinating language today!