Record Number of Israeli Students Excel in Advanced Math, Physics, and English Exams

Despite years of war and educational disruptions, Israel has seen a record number of students taking advanced five-unit exams in mathematics, English, and physics in 2026. The data from the Ministry of Education reveals a surprising positive trend in higher-level studies, contrasting with some other educational assessments.

Physics saw the most significant increase, with 17,528 students taking the five-unit exam in 2026, a 19% jump from 14,701 in 2023. English saw a 16% rise, with 70,587 students, and mathematics an increase of 14%, reaching 24,129 students. These growth rates significantly outpace the 10% increase in the overall twelfth-grade student population between 2023 and 2026.

In English, more than half of all twelfth-graders, 50.40%, took the five-unit exam in 2026, up from 47.91% in 2023. Physics saw its participation rate rise from 11.54% to 12.52%, and mathematics from 16.59% to 17.23%. Mathematics has shown a notable recovery, with a more than 16% increase in test-takers since 2024.

Education Minister Yoav Kisch commented that despite the war's toll, students have successfully pursued their future goals. He encouraged students, particularly those from peripheral areas, to continue choosing advanced study tracks, with the ministry pledging to expand access to these programs. The 2026 exam data is still preliminary and may increase as all results are finalized.

The new exam results are being released alongside PISA and Tnuafa test data, but officials caution against drawing direct comparisons due to different assessment methodologies. The Ministry of Education and the Ramah (National Institute for Testing and Evaluation) have also been in discussions regarding the methodology and reliability of the Tnuafa results.