The Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) uses the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) examinations to verify a teacher candidate has the knowledge and skills required to be an educator in Georgia’s public schools.
The special education general curriculum exam consists of two subtests, and candidates are required to pass both tests to obtain certification.
Eligibility
The Special Education General Curriculum exam is available to certified teachers looking to add a specialty and students enrolled in, or seeking admission to, a Georgia state-approved teacher preparation program. If you are an educator program student or are seeking admission to an educator program, you need to obtain permission to test from your program administrator.
Registration
Before you can register for the Special Education General Curriculum exam, you need to have an account with GaPSC. Registration for the exam is linked through your GaPSC account.
On the registration page for the exam, select the Special Education General Curriculum exam. Follow the directions on the page, submit your payment, and print your confirmation/admission ticket. Verify the information on the admission ticket—if any information is incorrect, call the customer service number to fix the errors.
Cost
The cost for the Special Education General Curriculum exam is $123.00 for one test and $193.00 for both tests taken at the same appointment. Payment methods include debit/credit card, e-Check, or PayPal.
Subtest basics
The Special Education General Curriculum exam includes two subtests. You may take the subtests individually, or you may take both subtests, one after the other, in one testing appointment. Both subtests are computer-delivered at ETS testing facilities, and the questions are multiple-choice.
The test duration is scheduled for two and a half hours (five hours for the combined test) and includes time for directions and tutorials. Actual testing time is two hours for subtests taken independently or 4 hours for the combined examination.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsCcrvlNA9A
Test design
Tests I and II both contain 65 short-answer and multiple-choice computer-delivered questions. Both tests may include pre-test questions. The pre-test questions are not scored, but you will not know which question is scored and which question is not.
Test I is divided into two subareas:
Planning the learning environment and social interactions – 52% of questions
Your understanding and ability to apply your knowledge of curriculum development, lesson planning, and the learning environment are assessed.
Instruction – 48% of questions
In the instruction subarea, your ability to apply your knowledge of effective teaching techniques, strategies, and the uses of technology are examined.
Test II has three subareas:
Development and characteristics of learners – 38% of questions
This subarea assesses your understanding of human development and your ability to apply knowledge to the unique needs of learners with disabilities is assessed.
Assessment – 30% of questions
In the assessment subarea, your ability to identify, use, and interpret assessments are examined.
Foundations and professional responsibilities – 32% of questions
Your understanding of legal definitions, requirements, use of the law, and the professional role of the teacher is examined and assessed.
Test Day
When you report to your assigned testing center, your admission ticket and identification will be verified. Leave your belongings at home. You are not allowed to bring them into the testing center, and the center may not have a secured area for you to store your belongings in. Any supplies you need for the exam are supplied, including scratch paper and writing utensils.
Exam results and scoring
After you have completed your exam and submitted your scores for reporting, your unofficial score is displayed. Ten business days after the testing window closes, your official score is provided to you, GaPSC, your program provider (if applicable), and up to three additional recipients that you identified when you registered for the exam.
To pass the Special Education General Curriculum exam, you must pass both subtests. Passing score at the induction level for both subtests is 220 to 249. The passing score at the professional level is 250.
How Can I Prepare for the GACE Special Education General Curriculum Exam?
That’s a great question. We’ve broken down the answer into three parts.
- Do yourself a favor and study. Do not walk in unprepared. We have recommended prep materials below, but that only helps if you actually try. Plus, studying is actually proven to be the best antidote to test anxiety.
- Take care of yourself. Make sure you’re eating well, exercising, and sleeping. All of these things are scientifically linked to brain performance. If you take care of your body, you’ll be helping your grades.
- Get a study guide or set of flashcards. Some people study better a certain way. Find your study strengths and make the most of them. We’ve tried to make it easy for you by tracking down the best study guide and flashcard set for your exam. Below you’ll see links to both!