FAQ - AMIRNET
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When can I take the English proficiency test (AMIRNET)?
The AMIRNET test is given throughout the year at NITE’s Test Centers, located across the country, and occasionally at selected academic institutions. Registration is subject to availability. You may choose your test location and test date when you register. It is not possible to choose a specific time to take the test. You may register for the AMIRNET here.
It is strongly recommended that you do not wait until the last minute. In summer and fall, before the new academic year begins, the Test Centers are very busy and you may not be able to find an available date. Take the test early!
Will it be possible to take a pencil-and-paper version of the English test rather than the computerized version?
No. The only version of the English proficiency test (AMIRAM) is computerized. Examinees who have a disability that prevents them from taken a computerized test must submit a request to take the test with special accommodations, as per the instructions below, and their request will be reviewed by the Special Test Accommodations Unit.
Does the test assess speaking and writing skills in English?
No. The test does not assess speaking or writing abilities in English. In the future, there will be a new test format. During the December 17, 2019 meeting of the Israel Council for Higher Education, it was decided that the higher education system in Israel would shift towards teaching the English language and evaluating students’ achievements in English using a method that focuses on four skills: reading, listening comprehension, writing, and speaking. Following this decision, NITE began to change the English proficiency test it develops in order to test additional language skills.
When will the English proficiency test (AMIRNET) change and what changes are planned?
The AMIRNET test will change in stages, beginning in 2027. An announcement of every change will be posted on the NITE website with sufficient advance notice to allow examinees to prepare. The changes will include the addition of sections that assess listening comprehension and writing and - further in the future - speaking. It is recommended that you take the practice test on the NITE website by clicking here.
Is the AMIRNET easier/harder than the English domain in the PET used to be?
No. The level of difficulty for the AMIRNET is the same level of difficulty as for the English domain that used to be in the PET, and the scores on AMIRNET are equivalent to those achieved on the English domain.
What is the operating principle of the AMIRNET test?
AMIRNET works on the principle of an adaptive test: at the beginning a section appears that is made up of questions that are moderately difficult. At the end of the section, the program assesses the examinee’s skill level on the basis of their answers to questions presented up to that point, and chooses the next section accordingly. So an examinee with a high level of skill in English will receive sections that contain harder questions than an examinee with lower skills will receive. The adjustment of the sections' level of difficulty to the examinee’s skill level allows an assessment of their English level using a relatively small number of questions. It is important to note that although examinees will probably be given different sections, this is taken into account when calculating the scores, and all examinees’ scores are comparable and equivalent.
Do I need knowledge or previous experience operating a computer to take AMIRNET?
No. No knowledge or previous experience using a computer is required. Operating the test is very simple. However, if you have any difficulty operating the test, you can request assistance from the proctors. It is recommended that you take the practice test.
How many sections are there in AMIRNET?
The test comprises either seven or eight sections:
1) Sentence Completions
2) Sentence Completions
3) Reading Comprehension
4) Restatements
5) Restatements
6) Sentence Completions
In a test comprising eight sections, the last two sections are experimental sections. In a test comprising seven sections, the last section is an experimental section that consists of one writing task. For more information, click here
1) Sentence Completions
2) Sentence Completions
3) Reading Comprehension
4) Restatements
5) Restatements
6) Sentence Completions
In a test comprising eight sections, the last two sections are experimental sections. In a test comprising seven sections, the last section is an experimental section that consists of one writing task. For more information, click here
How much time does the test take?
The AMIRNET takes around 50 minutes.
Is there time allotted for reading instructions and answering practice questions?
No. There is not time given during the test itself to practice or to read instructions. It is advisable to become familiar with the question types and operation of the test program before taking the test. Please read the explanatory presentation (format PPSX / format PDF) and take the practice test.
During the test, you may read the instructions at any point within the time allotted for the relevant section.
During the test, you may read the instructions at any point within the time allotted for the relevant section.
Are there any breaks during AMIRNET?
No. This is a short test. Bathroom breaks are permitted; examinees will be accompanied by a proctor and do not stop the clock for that examinee. Examinees who need breaks because of a disability of any kind should submit a request to the Special Test Accommodations Unit.
What happens at the end of the allocated time for each section of on AMIRNET?
At the end of the time allocated for a section, the next section appears. Answers that you entered or wrote within the allotted time will be saved. If you did not enter or write any answer, the question will be marked as an error.
If I don’t know the answer to a question, is it worth guessing?
In AMIRNET, a missing answer is marked as a wrong answer. So if you don’t know the correct answer, any answer, even a guess, is better than none. Moreover, in the last two sections (the experimental sections), an incorrect answer will not lower your score, but correct answers can raise your score by one or two points.
Can I go back to questions I already answered?
In AMIRNET, you may go back to previous questions in the same section. It is advisable to use your allotted time wisely, and to check all your answers before going on to the next section.
Is the AMIRNET score equivalent to scores on other NITE English level placement tests?
Yes. AMIRNET scores are placed on a scale of 50 to 150. The AMIRNET score is equivalent to the score on the English domain of the Psychometric Test and to scores that were given in the past for the AMIR and AMIRAM tests.
I took the AMIRNET test at a particular institution. Will my score be automatically recognized by another institution?
No. The law states that every academic institution is entitled to determine its own admission and screening policy. You will therefore need to confirm with a specific institution whether it will recognize the score. You may have your AMIRNET score sent to the academic institutions listed on the website.
I have more than one English score (AMIRNET, AMIRAM, AMIR, English from the Psychometric Test). Which score counts? The latest? The highest? The average of my scores?
This too depends on the policy of the specific institution you applied to where you plan to study – or are already studying. You should refer the question to the relevant institution.
I received a score in AMIRNET. How do I know what my English level is?
For information pertaining to the relationship between your score, the English level you will be placed in, and the number of courses you will have to take, you should contact the academic institution you plan to attend.
What should I bring to the AMIRNET test?
You must bring a valid ID card. It is recommended that you bring a pencil and eraser for writing drafts.
You do not need to bring a watch since a clock appears in the corner of the screen during the test, showing how much time you have left to the end of the section. When you enter the classroom, you will receive earphones and may request one sheet of scrap paper for use during the test.
You do not need to bring a watch since a clock appears in the corner of the screen during the test, showing how much time you have left to the end of the section. When you enter the classroom, you will receive earphones and may request one sheet of scrap paper for use during the test.
What happens if I arrive late to the AMIRNET test?
As noted in your test confirmation, examinees who arrive late will not be allowed to take the test. You must arrive on the date and at the time you were assigned. Even so, if you arrive within 15 minutes of your assigned time, the person at the reception desk will try to process you quickly and admit you to the classroom as long as there is a space available and other examinees who have already begun the test are not disturbed. If you arrive later than that, you will not be able to take the test. One day after the test is given, you will be able to choose a new test date by logging onto the website. Changing your test date entails a service fee, as described on the website.
My computer broke down during the AMIRNET test. What should I do?
Breakdowns rarely occur during the AMIRNET test. However, if there is any failure, you should raise your hand immediately and wait for a proctor. In such cases a recovery program is executed which will allow you to go back to the beginning of the section of the test where the problem occurred.
