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Exam Overview
The GACE Political Science (6–12) assessment (738) is part of the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators program. The Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) sets the certification requirements, and Pearson Evaluation Systems develops and delivers the test.
The Two Testlets
| Testlet | Name | Questions | Share of the test |
|---|---|---|---|
| 246 | Foundations of Democracy and Civic Participation | 40 selected-response | About 40% |
| 247 | The Constitution and Functions of Government | 60 selected-response | About 60% |
You may take both testlets in one appointment or register for each testlet separately. Every question is selected-response (multiple choice) with four answer choices; there are no written-response questions.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Format | Computer-based, at Pearson VUE test centers (online proctoring may be offered; check when you register) |
| Questions | 100 selected-response in total (40 + 60) |
| Testing time | About 1 hour for Testlet 246 and 1 hour 15 minutes for Testlet 247 |
| Fees | $169 for both testlets together; $84.50 for one testlet |
| Score scale | 100–300 scaled score; 220 is the passing standard |
| Guessing | No penalty for wrong answers: answer every question |
| Retakes | You must wait 30 days before retaking a testlet you did not pass |
What Each Testlet Measures
Kinds of Questions to Expect
- Knowledge questions: a precise fact, term, case, or document.
- Application questions: a scenario (a city council vote, a court case, a classroom activity) in which you identify the principle, power, or process at work.
- Source-based questions: a short excerpt from a founding document or court opinion, a poll, or an election-results table that you must interpret.
Scores and Registration
Scores are reported on a scale of 100 to 300. Because the testlets can be taken and passed separately, keep each testlet's score report. Register, choose a date, and read the current testing policies on the official GACE website (gace.es.pearson.com); bring acceptable photo identification on test day.
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