[details=“English Translation”]I heard that he passed the exam.[/details]Why habe not hat?
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Because it’s hearsay?
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I hadn’t noticed this use of habe until you mentioned it @danielportersax. As @morbrorper alludes, it’s probably is because the speaker has doubts about the veracity of the statement (i.e. indirect speech: I heard someone say this thing - I don’t know if it’s true or not), which is expressed like so:
Present
| ich | habe |
|---|---|
| du | habest |
| er;sie;es | habe |
| wir | haben |
| ihr | habet |
| sie;Sie | haben |
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Yes, I had a feeling too that it’s subjunctive.
As an anecdote, for French learners, when it is used, subjunctive also often translates uncertainty (eg: “Je crains qu’il ne soit malade”, I fear he might be ill - but it isn’t certain.)
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