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How to prepare for the IDF's screenings, from the first call-up to Yom Sayarot

What each step measures, what each profile opens, what to bring to Yom Sayarot and the training routine the IDF's own guide suggests, all from the IDF's pages for future soldiers.

Paratroopers

Five steps lead from the first call-up to the draft.

  1. 1First call-upIn high schoolThe Dapar test, an interview, a Hebrew score and the medical profile.
  2. 2Yom HaMa'aOnline, 08:00 to 16:00A day of tests that gives a score of 1 to 5 in each of the abilities the roles ask for.
  3. 3Preferences questionnaireOpens in August, between 11th and 12th gradeEach role is rated from 1 to 5.
  4. 4Yom Sayarot and try-outsYom Sayarot in January or OctoberFor combat roles: profile 82 and up and a Dapar of 50 and up, then the unit's own try-out.
  5. 5Interview week and the draftInterviews in early May and early DecemberInterviews for the roles that hold them, then the draft day.

The medical profile runs from 21 to 97, and each step of it opens different roles.

The profile is set at the first call-up; the count of roles asking for each profile is taken from the IDF's role pages.

  1. 97Any field unit in every combat corps, the elite units included.5 roles ask for 97 and up
  2. 82Field units and infantry, depending on the clauses.30 roles ask for 82 and up
  3. 72Combat service in every combat unit except infantry and the reconnaissance units.50 roles ask for 72 and up
  4. 64Combat support, and some combat roles such as squad commander.108 roles ask for 64 and up
  5. 45Service in battalions, not as a fighter and not in maintenance roles.214 roles ask for 45 and up
  6. 25Volunteers who chose to serve after being found unfit.89 roles ask for 25 and up
  7. 24Unfit for now, for example after surgery; the profile is updated later.
  8. 21Unfit for good; it is possible to ask to volunteer and be raised to 25.

Yom Sayarot is held twice a year, and it ends in one of four results.

The details are from the IDF's full guide to Yom Sayarot. The IDF does not detail what the day itself holds.

  • It is held in January, through the day from 07:00, sorting for the August and November drafts, and in October, through the night, sorting for the March draft.
  • It calls candidates with a profile of 82 and up and a Dapar of 50 and up. The meeting point is Be'er Sheva North train station.
  • An identity card and a medical form from the family doctor, dated within the last 90 days, go with every candidate.
  • Sports clothes and two plain white short-sleeved shirts, and in October spare clothes too.
  • At least 7 hours of sleep the night before, and no hard training in the week before.
  • After eye laser surgery there is no field day or try-out for 4 months.
A candidate who finishes the day gets one of these results
  1. 1"The Unit"A joint try-out for Sayeret Matkal and Shaldag. Those not taken who finish it go on to the draft for Unit 669 and the Commando Brigade.
  2. 2Shayetet 13Further screening at the Navy's training base in Haifa, with the same way on to 669 and the Commando Brigade.
  3. 3Naval officers and submarinesFurther screening at the Navy's base for the naval officers' course and the submarine flotilla.
  4. 4Finished, not takenThe right to an interview for the Paratroopers Brigade.

The IDF's guide suggests starting to train at least three months before Yom Sayarot.

3 to 5 aerobic sessions and 2 to 3 strength sessions a week.

  1. AerobicSun
  2. StrengthMon
  3. AerobicTue
  4. StrengthWed
  5. AerobicThu
  6. RestFri
  7. RestSat

An example week at the lowest the IDF's guide suggests: 3 aerobic sessions and 2 of strength, the kind changing from day to day.

The running sessions build up, from a brisk walk to a run at a fast pace.

  1. A brisk walk
  2. A steady run
  3. Building sprints of 50 to 100 metres
  4. A run at a fast pace

The guide's strength routine holds 8 exercises, most of them in two or three sets.

  1. Push-ups10 to 202 to 3 setsRest: 50 seconds
  2. Sit-ups20 to 302 to 3 setsRest: 30 seconds
  3. Side plank20 to 30 seconds2 to 3 setsRest: 30 seconds
  4. Front plank30 to 45 seconds2 to 3 setsRest: 30 seconds
  5. Squats15 to 202 to 3 setsRest: about a minute
  6. Calf raises15 to 202 to 3 setsRest: about a minute
  7. Glute bridge15 to 202 to 3 setsRest: about a minute
  8. Lunges10 to 151 to 2 setsRest: about a minute

Orange is repetitions and green is seconds. The dark part is the low end and the light part runs to the high end.

The IDF's role pages ask for a body mass index in a different range for each kind of unit.

  1. Infantry17 to 32
  2. Reconnaissance units18 to 32
  3. Combat corps such as armour and artillery17 to 35

Five rules from the IDF's guide keep the training safe.

  1. 1See a doctor before starting.
  2. 2Run on dirt, grass or packed sand, in running shoes.
  3. 3Keep out of the heat and drink a lot.
  4. 4Build up a little at a time, and stretch for about 15 minutes before and after.
  5. 5Eat protein after training. Any activity counts, and keeping at it matters most.

13 of the 30 units in this guide are open to women fighters.

Frequently asked questions

When should training for Yom Sayarot start?

The IDF's guide says to start at least three months before, with 3 to 5 aerobic sessions and 2 to 3 strength sessions a week, and no hard training in the week before the day itself.

What should a candidate bring to Yom Sayarot?

An identity card, a medical form from the family doctor dated within the last 90 days, sports clothes and two plain white short-sleeved shirts. For the October day, which runs through the night, spare clothes too.

What happens to a candidate who does not pass?

Those who finish Yom Sayarot and are not taken may interview for the Paratroopers Brigade, and those who finish the joint try-out and are not taken go on to the draft for Unit 669 and the Commando Brigade. Every other combat role has its own screening.

What profile does a combat soldier need?

A profile of 72 opens combat service in every combat unit except infantry and the reconnaissance units, 82 opens infantry and the field units, and 97 opens every unit, the elite units included.

This page was written from the IDF's pages for future soldiers, read on 6 November 2026.

  • How to prepare for the first call-up
  • The medical profile
  • What Yom HaMa'a is
  • What abilities Yom HaMa'a tests
  • The full guide to Yom Sayarot
  • Preparing the body for Yom Sayarot
  • Try-outs
  • Interview week
  • Screening for the Commando Brigade
  • Did not pass the try-out: the options

The requirements and screenings change from time to time, and the IDF's page for each role is the one that counts.

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