What Is the Hamza Test? CEFR, Scoring, and Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hamza Test?
The Hamza Test (اختبار همزة) is an Arabic-proficiency exam for non-native speakers, developed by the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language (KSGAAL) in Saudi Arabia. It’s scored on the international CEFR scale, from A1 (beginner) to C1 (proficient), and the result is one of the documents used when applying to study in Saudi Arabia through studyinsaudi.sa.
What does the actual test format look like?
The online/global version of the Hamza Test — the one that appears in the studyinsaudi.sa application flow — is 150 multiple-choice vocabulary questions, each with 6 answer options. There’s no reading passage, no audio, and no writing or speaking section. Each question gives a single Arabic sentence describing or defining a word, and you pick the matching word from six options.
How is the exam run?
The exam is taken alone on a laptop (Windows 10 or later, or macOS) using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge, and it is monitored through the camera and screen sharing. Nine violations can cancel the result, for example switching tabs, copying text, or your face not being visible on camera.
How is this different from the Hamza Test some universities run?
Some Islamic universities in Indonesia — for example UIN Jakarta and UIN Suska Riau — also run their own session called “Tes Hamzah” for their own students, usually in person and covering four skills (listening, reading, writing, grammar) over roughly 155 minutes. That’s a separate campus activity from the online/global Hamza Test used for the studyinsaudi.sa application. If your goal is to complete your Saudi university application, the one you need is the online/global version through KSGAAL’s official platform — not a campus session.
How do I read my Hamza Test score?
The maximum Hamza Test score is 150, split evenly into 30-point bands per level. The five levels, from lowest, are:
- التمهيدي (A1)
- المبتدئ (A2)
- المتوسط (B1)
- فوق المتوسط (B2)
- المتقدم (C1)
The higher your score, the higher the level you’ve reached — a score of 150 means you’ve hit C1, the top of the scale.
Is the online Hamza Test paid?
No. Registering for and taking the online/global Hamza Test is free. If you come across information claiming a fee (for example, an amount in Saudi Riyal) to take this test, that’s not official — verify it against studyinsaudi.sa or KSGAAL directly before trusting it.
Why didn’t I get a confirmation email after registering?
This is a fairly common complaint. Based on other applicants’ experience, the confirmation email sometimes takes a while or only shows up after registering again. If you’ve registered but haven’t received one, check your spam folder and wait a bit. If it still hasn’t come, ask at hamza@ksaa.gov.sa before registering again, because submitted data can’t be changed. A missing email doesn’t necessarily mean your registration failed.
Can I reschedule my test date?
According to the instructions on the registration form, entered data can’t be changed once the exam date is issued, so check the date, time, and your personal details before submitting. There are reports that the date can be moved while registration is still open, but the official terms don’t mention it. If you really need to change it, ask at hamza@ksaa.gov.sa.
When does the result certificate come out?
According to KSGAAL’s exam agreement, results are issued 2 to 3 weeks after the exam date. The result and certificate are valid for two years from the exam date, so pick your exam date with your university’s application deadline in mind. If three weeks have passed and the certificate hasn’t arrived, ask at hamza@ksaa.gov.sa.
How does the Hamza Test connect to your studyinsaudi.sa application?
Your Hamza Test result is one of the documents you can attach when filling out your application on the studyinsaudi.sa platform.