Need help with the GACE^®?

The test referred to as the “GACE” is actually the name of numerous tests required to be certified to teach in the state of Georgia. Be sure this is preparation for the GACE test you need to take, that for elementary educators in the state of Georgia. This test prep is only for the GACE Tests 001 and 002. If your teaching certification is listed below, you need to take the 001 and 002 tests. You may need to take additional GACE tests and that is also noted below. These tests are also referred to as the GACE Elementary Education Tests I and II.

Here is a good resource that contains additional information about other GACE tests.

Questions on this test are termed “Selected Response” questions, another way to say “multiple-choice.” This means that the possible responses for them are available in the test and you just need to choose the correct one. The questions may vary in type, however, and include regular multiple-choice, multiple-answer multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and possibly some other types. There are also two “extended response” (essay) questions in the Analysis section of the test.

The Elementary Education test actually consists of two tests that may be taken separately or together: Test I (001) and Test II (002). The combined test is labeled 501. Sections of each test and the percentage of the test they each occupy are as follows:

The tests are administered by computer, with questions testing basic knowledge and asking for you to “apply principles.” There will be a few questions that do not count toward your score. These are used to determine their viability for use in future tests. You will not know which of the questions these are, so do your best on all questions.

Some tests offer reference sheets and you may access these by clicking on the “Help” button at the top of the screen.

Your cost to take the GACE Elementary Education test is as follows:

• Single test, either 001 or 002: $78
• Combined test of 001 and 002 (called 501): $128

These prices include a $25 registration fee and a $28 test center fee.

On test day, you’ll need to bring:

• a valid and current ID with name that matches that on your registration materials
• your admission ticket, printable from your ETS website testing account

Also note:

• No personal items are allowed in the testing room. Be sure to check out what these include here.
• No calculators are allowed for the 001 and 002 tests. You may be allowed to bring one for other test sections. Check here to see.
• You cannot leave the test center for the duration of the test, including during breaks.

Scores for the GACE test range from 100 to 300. A score of at least 220 indicates that you passed at the “induction level,” while a score of 250 or above means passing at the “professional level.” The state of Georgia considers any score of 220 or above to be considered “passing.” If you take a combined test and only pass one of the sections at the professional level, with the other score falling in the induction range, the score for the entire test will be considered to be at the induction level.

There is a high likelihood of continued growth in job opportunities in the field of elementary education. These jobs will open up as a result of rising student enrollment and the trend of lowered class sizes. The growth is not expected to be equal in all regions and the willingness of a job candidate to relocate will improve employment prospects.

These are the main qualifications required to take a GACE test. There may be others, as found on page 22 of this resource.

• You are enrolled in or have completed a state-approved teacher education program in Georgia.
• You are seeking admission to a state-approved teacher education program in Georgia.
• You are seeking employment in Georgia public schools with training that occurred in another state.
• You are adding a field to your current Georgia teacher certification.
• You have been notified by the GaPSC of a requirement to test.

A passing score on this test may enable you to enter an elementary education teacher preparation program or to be employed as a public school elementary teacher in the state of Georgia. It can be required in either of these situations.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, median pay for an elementary school teacher in the state of Georgia stands at nearly $60,000 per year, with salaries for kindergarten teachers slightly lower.

You must complete registration two full days before your test date, not including the registration date and the test date. It appears the tests are given in the months of October, November, January–March and May–August. All the details you’ll need for registration can be found in this GACE Registration Bulletin.

You have the option of taking the two subtests—Test I (001) and Test II (002)—separately or combined into one longer test, Combined Test I and II (501). Taken separately, each test contains 75 questions and lasts two hours. If you take the combined test, there will be 150 questions and you will be given a total of four hours to complete them. There is some extra time required for each test, so plan on spending two and a half hours at the test center for a single test and five hours there for the combined test.