BJE produces and administers a standardized placement exam for Jewish schools that is given every November in locations throughout the city. More than 2000 eighth graders take the Judaic and General Studies multiple-choice exam every year.

Sample Exam - Judaic Studies
Sample Exam - General Studies
Judaic Studies Exam Syllabus

FAQs

What is it?
Who takes it?
Who requires it?
When is it?
Where is it?
How do I register my child?
Is there a fee for registering?
Will my child’s registration be confirmed?
Does my child have to bring anything to the exam?
Is there a break?
Is food allowed?
What if my child misses the exam or is not available on the testing date?
Is there untimed testing?
Who receives the results?
When will the high schools notify me of acceptance to their schools?
How does my child prepare for this exam?

What is it?

In 1974, the Yeshiva High School Principals' Council of Metropolitan New York developed a uniform placement examination procedure. Each year, approximately 2,000 students take one multiple-choice examination in Judaic Studies and one multiple-choice examination in General Studies when applying for placement in various affiliated Yeshiva high schools.

Who takes it?

Eighth grade students who will be applying for admission to high schools in the September following their graduation are the only ones eligible.

Who requires it?

• Bat Torah Yeshiva High School for Girls (Suffern)
• Bruriah High School for Girls (Elizabeth)
• Davis Renov Stahler Yeshiva High School for Boys (Woodmere)
• Hebrew Academy of Nassau County (Uniondale)
• Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns & Rockaway (Cedarhurst)
• Hillel Yeshiva High School (Ocean)
• Ilan High School (Elberon)
• Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls (Teaneck)
• Magen David Yeshivah Celia Esses H.S. (Brooklyn)
• Moshe Aaron Yeshiva High School (South River)
• North Shore Hebrew Academy High School (Great Neck)
• Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School (Livingston)
• Ramaz Upper School (Manhattan)
• Rambam Mesivta (Lawrence)
• Rav Teitz Mesivta Academy - J.E.C. (Elizabeth)
• SAR High School (Riverdale)
• Shaare Torah High School, Boys (Brooklyn)
• Shaare Torah High School, Girls (Brooklyn)
• Shulamith High School for Girls (Brooklyn)
• Stella K. Abraham HS for Girls (Hewlett Bay Park)
• The Frisch School (Paramus)
• The New Haven Judaics Academy
• Torah Academy High School of Brooklyn
• Torah Academy of Bergen County (Teaneck)
• Westchester Hebrew High School (Mamaroneck)
• Yeshiva Derech HaTorah (Brooklyn)
• Yeshiva Or Chadash (Valley Stream)
• Yeshiva University High School for Boys (Manhattan)
• Yeshiva University High School for Girls (Holliswood)
• Yeshivah of Flatbush Joel Braverman HS (Brooklyn)
• Zvi Dov Roth Academy (Brooklyn)

When is it?

• Sunday, November 18, 2007
• Sunday, November 23, 2008
• Sunday, November 22, 2009
• Sunday, November 21, 2010

Where is it?

There are twelve different testing sites throughout the Greater New York area. Parents select their choice from the sites listed on the registration form.

How do I register my child?

Registration forms are mailed to schools in late AUGUST. If your child’s elementary school does not have a copy of the form, you may call (646) 472-5333 to request a registration form.

Is there a fee for registering?

No, there is no fee for registering for or taking this exam.

Will my child’s registration be confirmed?

Approximately two weeks prior to the exam, BJE mails out admission cards which will indicate the location of the test center, travel directions, contact and general information.

Does my child have to bring anything to the exam?

On the day of the exam, please bring the admission card, some number two pencils, and an eraser. Calculators are not permitted.

Is there a break?

There is a short break at the midway point of the exam.

Is food allowed?

If necessary, “quiet” snack foods (drink boxes, sandwiches, snack bars) are recommended.

What if my child misses the exam or is not available on the testing date?

There is a Make-Up Exam date in FEBRUARY for students who were seriously ill or who missed the deadline for the November exam. The Make-Up Exam is not an alternate option to the November date.

Is there untimed testing?

An extra two hours will be provided to students whose principals have submitted written certification with the completed registration forms. Additional specific requirements may be requested but will only be accommodated where possible.

Who receives the results?

The BJE Testing Service will send your child’s scores only to the affiliated yeshiva high schools that you have applied to for admission. The elementary school may request the scores but is under no obligation to request them. Please bear in mind that in addition to these uniform placement examinations, most yeshiva high schools require personal interviews.

When will the high schools notify me of acceptance to their schools?

The affiliated Yeshiva high schools to which you have applied will notify you regarding your child’s status during the month of FEBRUARY, after the administration of the Make-Up Exam.

How does my child prepare for this exam?

These tests are similar to many comprehensive examinations in general education and there is no special way one can prepare for them. BJE does NOT SUPPLY OR RECOMMEND any "study guide" or "review book" for the examinations NOR does BJE have any copies of previous exams. However, there are sample exams that you may download by following the links above. Your child has been preparing for this examination throughout the elementary school years.