About the MITAM Test

Background

In the academic year 2000-2001, the psychology departments of Israeli universities made a decision to include a uniform national test in the admissions procedure for Master’s programs in psychology. This decision was based on the need for a uniform admissions criterion for Master’s programs.

The National Institute for Testing and Evaluation (NITE) was charged with the development and administration of the test, calculating examinees’ scores, and reporting them to the academic institutions and the examinees. The development process of the test was supported by a steering committee consisting of representatives from the institutions awarding advanced degrees in psychology. This committee determines the procedures and guiding principles of the MITAM test and approves the final version of the test.

Taking the test is a requirement for applicants to Master’s programs in psychology (both university and college graduates) at each of the institutions listed here. In some of these institutions the MITAM test is an admissions requirement for all specializations, and in others only for certain specializations.

Passing the MITAM test is not the only criterion for admission to Master’s programs, but it serves as an additional criterion to grades in undergraduate courses, interviews, assessment centers, and references (according to the requirements of the various institutions). Each institution decides independently as to what weight is given to MITAM scores in the admissions process to the institution and/or a specific specialization.

Objective of the Test

According to the decision of the psychology faculties, the objective of the MITAM test is to assess familiarity with the material taught and the skills acquired in Bachelor’s programs in psychology in a reliable and standardized fashion, for the purpose of screening candidates for Master’s programs in psychology.
The material and skills tested in the test are knowledge and deep understanding of statistics and research methods, critical reading ability of scientific texts in psychology, and familiarity with concepts and theories from the different domains of psychology.