Gap between Jews, Arabs on aptitude tests
National Institute for Testing and Evaluation says average Arab score is 469, average Jewish score 563. Center says gap is reflection of discriminatory education system, education ministry says test is culturally biased
Every year in Israel some 70,000 people buckle down and study for the standardized Psychometric exam, a crucial step in their hopeful pursuit of higher education. Examinees from every sector in the country take the same exact test but when the results are analyzed the gap between the Jewish and Arab averages is significant.
The National Institute for Testing and Evaluation reports a 94 point gap between the two sectors' averages, with the Arab average standing at 469 and the Jewish one at 563. Psychometric scores range between 200 and 800, and are curved based on the current year's scores as well as the scores of several years prior.
"This is a reflection of, amongst other things, the discrimination that exists in the Israeli education system," says Dr. Yoav Cohen who directs the evaluation center.
Cohen is of the opinion that the disparity is not coincidental: "The discrepancy between the Psychometric averages doesn't stem from cultural gaps in the test itself, but rather from the gaps within the education system and the differences in what the country invests (in different sectors) starting all the way from primary education."
Reliable measure?
The Psychometric exam – which can be taken in Hebrew, Arabic, Russian, English, French and Spanish – has long been factored into the considerations of universities and various other higher education institutions upon deciding which applicants to admit.
The exam is considered – at least in the eyes of university administrations – as a reliable and equal measure which reflects the level of those taking it as the questions are based on knowledge of one's mother-tongue, mathematic abilities and control of the English language. The center in turn says it found that people who come from schools where the education ministry invested more in will naturally score higher on their Psychometric tests.
Dr. Cohen emphasized however that the Psychometric exam actually benefits those living in outlaying areas by offering virtually unlimited retakes. "Students without a high school diploma, or with low high school grades, get a chance to significantly improve their chances of getting a higher education because of the Psychometric exam. They can retake it and the highest score they earn is the one they apply with."
The Education Ministry is aware of the Jewish-Arab divide and has formulated a five-year plan to narrow the gap. The Ministry said that within the framework of the plan, the government would invest NIS 50 million in the Arab and Bedouin sectors every year.
The ministry also said that Arab schools were being given top priority in the establishment of new laboratories and computer equipment.
Education Minister Yuli Tamir (Labor): "There's no doubt that the Psychometric exam isn't culturally neutral and there exists and gap between the Psychometric score and the abilities of the students. Evidence of this was apparent when they tried to admit students based on their high school grades – an experiment which proved successful."
