Your FREE GACE Flashcards 2026 – 200+ Cards

The central point a passage makes — what the whole text is mostly about.

A fact, example, statistic, or reason that explains, proves, or develops the main idea.

The reason a text was written — to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain.

The author's attitude toward the subject, revealed through word choice (e.g., formal, critical, hopeful).

A logical conclusion the reader draws from text evidence plus reasoning — not stated outright.

Explicit information is stated directly in the text; implicit information must be inferred.

Restating a passage's main idea and key points concisely in your own words, without opinion.

The underlying message or insight about life a literary text conveys (e.g., 'perseverance pays off').

The emotional or implied meaning of a word, beyond its literal (denotative) definition.

The literal, dictionary definition of a word.

Hints in surrounding words or sentences that help you figure out an unfamiliar word's meaning.

How a passage is organized: cause/effect, compare/contrast, sequence, or problem/solution.

A text structure that shows why something happens (cause) and what results (effect).

A structure that examines similarities and differences between two or more things.

A structure that presents events or steps in the order they occur.

A structure that states a problem and then describes how it is or could be solved.

A debatable statement an author argues for and tries to support with evidence.

The facts, examples, data, and reasoning an author uses to support a claim.

A claim plus the reasons and evidence offered to persuade the reader it is true.

Judging whether a claim is backed by sufficient, relevant, and credible evidence.

An opposing point of view that an argument acknowledges and tries to refute.

A one-sided slant that favors a particular view, often by omitting or distorting evidence.

A fact can be proven true or false; an opinion expresses a belief, judgment, or feeling.

A primary source is firsthand (a diary, data); a secondary source interprets or analyzes it.

The perspective from which a text is told or written (first person, third person, an author's stance).

Fiction is imagined/literary; nonfiction presents real information (the bulk of GACE Reading passages).

Words used non-literally for effect — metaphor, simile, personification, hyperbole.

A direct comparison stating one thing IS another ('time is money') — no 'like' or 'as'.

A comparison using 'like' or 'as' ('busy as a bee').

The sentence (often first) that states the main idea of a paragraph.

Combining text evidence with reasoning to reach a logical judgment the text supports.

Reading data from a graph, chart, table, or image embedded in or paired with a passage.

Determining a word's meaning from how it is used in the sentence and passage.

Combining ideas from two or more texts to form a fuller understanding or comparison.

Restating a specific idea from a text in your own words (more detailed than a summary).

The intended readers a text is written for, which shapes its tone, vocabulary, and content.

Strategies like appeals to emotion, logic, or authority used to convince a reader.

Main idea = what a text is about (often nonfiction); theme = the deeper life message (often literary).

Evidence that directly relates to and actually supports the specific claim being made.

A broad statement applied to a group; a valid one is supported, a hasty one is not.

Pointing to specific words, lines, or details in a passage to support an answer or claim.

A central point a passage suggests but never states directly; you infer it from the details.

The feeling a passage creates in the reader (e.g., suspenseful, peaceful) — distinct from tone.

Giving human qualities to non-human things ('the wind whispered').

Deliberate exaggeration for effect ('I've told you a million times').

A brief reference to a well-known person, event, or work to add meaning.

A contrast between what is expected and what actually happens or is meant.

Using an object or image to represent a larger idea (a dove for peace).

Connotation is a word's emotional association; denotation is its literal meaning.

Tracing how ideas, events, or individuals in a text influence one another.

The overall claim an author makes, supported by the text's reasons and evidence.

Strong evidence is relevant, sufficient, and credible; weak evidence is vague, biased, or off-topic.

Interpreting a graph, table, or chart that appears with a reading passage.

Using clues in the text to anticipate what will happen or be argued next.

Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division (left→right), Addition/Subtraction (left→right). 4 + 3 × 2 = 10.

The value of a digit based on its position (e.g., the 3 in 350 means 3 hundreds).

A whole number and its opposite, including zero: … −2, −1, 0, 1, 2 … (no fractions).

A number's distance from zero, always non-negative: |−7| = 7.

A part of a whole, a/b, where a is the numerator and b the denominator.

Find a common denominator, add the numerators, keep the denominator: 1/4 + 1/4 = 2/4 = 1/2.

Multiply numerators and denominators straight across: 2/3 × 3/5 = 6/15 = 2/5.

Multiply by the reciprocal (flip the second fraction): 1/2 ÷ 1/4 = 1/2 × 4/1 = 2.

A number with a fractional part shown after a decimal point (0.25 = 25/100 = 1/4).

A part per hundred. Convert to a decimal by dividing by 100: 25% = 0.25.

Convert the percent to a decimal and multiply: 20% of 80 = 0.20 × 80 = 16.

(new − old) ÷ old × 100. From 40 to 50: (50 − 40)/40 × 100 = 25% increase.

A comparison of two quantities by division, written 3:4 or 3 to 4 or 3/4.

An equation stating two ratios are equal; solve by cross-multiplying.

To solve a/b = c/d, set a×d = b×c, then solve for the unknown.

A small raised number telling how many times to multiply the base by itself: 2³ = 2 × 2 × 2 = 8.

Multiply same-base powers by adding exponents: xᵃ × xᵇ = xᵃ⁺ᵇ.

A value that, multiplied by itself, gives the number: √36 = 6. It undoes squaring.

Writing a number as a × 10ⁿ, where 1 ≤ a < 10. 4,500 = 4.5 × 10³.

A whole number greater than 1 with exactly two factors: 1 and itself (2, 3, 5, 7, 11…).

The largest factor two numbers share. GCF of 12 and 18 is 6.

The smallest multiple two numbers share. LCM of 4 and 6 is 12.

A letter (like x or n) that stands for an unknown or changing number.

An expression has no equals sign (3x + 2); an equation sets two expressions equal (3x + 2 = 11).

Add/subtract terms with the same variable and power: 3x + 5x = 8x.

a(b + c) = ab + ac. So 3(x + 4) = 3x + 12.

Isolate the variable using inverse operations on both sides: 2x + 3 = 11 → x = 4.

A statement using <, >, ≤, or ≥. Flip the sign when multiplying or dividing by a negative.

Steepness of a line: rise over run = (y₂ − y₁)/(x₂ − x₁); the m in y = mx + b.

Where a line crosses the y-axis (x = 0); the b in y = mx + b.

y = mx + b, where m is the slope and b is the y-intercept.

An equation whose graph is a straight line; variables are to the first power.

An equation with a squared variable: ax² + bx + c = 0; its graph is a parabola.

A relation where each input (x) has exactly one output (y); f(x) is the output for x.

A grid formed by a horizontal x-axis and vertical y-axis; points are written (x, y).

The total distance around a shape; for a rectangle, P = 2(length + width).

Area = length × width.

Area = ½ × base × height.

Area = πr², where r is the radius (π ≈ 3.14).

The distance around a circle: C = 2πr (or πd, where d is the diameter).

Volume = length × width × height.

Volume = πr²h, where r is the radius and h the height.

For a right triangle, a² + b² = c², where c is the hypotenuse.

The radius is the distance from center to edge; the diameter is twice the radius (across the circle).

Add all values and divide by how many there are.

The middle value of a data set arranged in order (average the two middle if even count).

The value that appears most often in a data set.

The difference between the highest and lowest values: highest − lowest.

A value far from the rest of a data set; the median resists outliers better than the mean.

Favorable outcomes ÷ total outcomes, a number from 0 (impossible) to 1 (certain).

Use the median for the 'typical' value when a data set has extreme outliers.

Events where one outcome does not affect the other; multiply their probabilities.

Rounding numbers to quickly approximate an answer and sanity-check a calculation.

Turn words into an equation: 'is' = equals, 'of' = multiply, 'more than' = add.

A ratio comparing a quantity to one unit (e.g., 60 miles per 1 hour = 60 mph).

A negative times a negative is positive; a negative times a positive is negative.

Replacing a number with a nearby simpler one: round 5 or more up, 4 or less down.

A fraction whose numerator is ≥ its denominator (7/4); convert to a mixed number (1¾).

A whole number plus a fraction (2½); convert to an improper fraction to compute.

The flip of a fraction; a number times its reciprocal equals 1 (3/4 × 4/3 = 1).

A whole number that divides evenly into another (the factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12).

The product of a number and any whole number (multiples of 5: 5, 10, 15, 20…).

The number multiplied by a variable in a term (in 5x, the coefficient is 5).

Terms with the same variable raised to the same power; only like terms can be combined.

An equation needing two inverse operations to solve: 3x + 4 = 19 → x = 5.

Replacing a variable with its value to evaluate an expression or check a solution.

Where a line crosses the x-axis (y = 0).

Parallel lines share the same slope; perpendicular slopes are negative reciprocals.

The domain is the set of inputs (x); the range is the set of outputs (y).

The total area of all the faces (surfaces) of a 3-D solid.

The three interior angles of any triangle sum to 180°.

Angles on a straight line sum to 180°; angles around a point sum to 360°.

Right = 90°; acute < 90°; obtuse is between 90° and 180°.

Congruent figures are identical in size and shape; similar figures have the same shape, different size.

Count or use the distance formula to find how far apart two points are on the grid.

A table showing how often each value or category occurs in a data set.

A bar graph compares categories; a line graph shows change over time.

A circle divided into slices showing each part's share of the whole (parts of 100%).

A graph of paired data points used to show a relationship or trend between two variables.

A relationship between two variables; positive rises together, negative moves oppositely.

Theoretical is what should happen by math; experimental is what actually happened in trials.

Combinations ignore order; permutations count order as different.

Total amount divided by total time or units (e.g., total miles ÷ total hours).

Markup adds a percent to a cost; a discount subtracts a percent from a price.

Interest = principal × rate × time (I = Prt).

A singular subject takes a singular verb; a plural subject takes a plural verb.

Keep tense consistent unless the time frame actually changes (past, present, future).

A pronoun must match its noun (antecedent) in number and gender.

Every pronoun must clearly refer to one specific noun, with no ambiguity.

Items in a list or comparison must share the same grammatical form.

An error joining two complete sentences with only a comma; fix with a period, semicolon, or conjunction.

Two or more complete sentences joined without proper punctuation or conjunction.

An incomplete sentence missing a subject, a verb, or a complete thought.

A group of words with a subject and verb that can stand alone as a sentence.

A clause with a subject and verb that cannot stand alone (e.g., 'because it rained').

Use commas to separate three or more items in a list.

Use a comma after an introductory word, phrase, or clause that opens a sentence.

Set off nonessential (extra) information with a pair of commas.

Joins two closely related independent clauses, or separates list items that contain commas.

Introduces a list, explanation, or quotation after a complete sentence.

Shows possession (the dog's bone) or contraction (it's = it is) — never a plain plural.

'Its' shows possession; 'it's' is a contraction of 'it is' or 'it has.'

'Their' = possession; 'there' = place; 'they're' = they are.

'Your' shows possession; 'you're' is a contraction of 'you are.'

A word or phrase that describes another word; place it next to what it modifies.

A descriptive phrase with no clear word to modify; fix by adding the right subject.

A modifier positioned so it seems to describe the wrong word; move it beside the right one.

Active: the subject does the action ('She wrote it'). Passive: the subject receives it ('It was written').

Using more words than needed; prefer the clearest, most concise standard English.

The grammar, usage, punctuation, and spelling rules of formal written English.

Capitalize the first word of a sentence, proper nouns, and the pronoun 'I.'

Words that connect ideas and show relationships: however, therefore, in addition, for example.

The sentence that states a paragraph's main point; the rest of the paragraph supports it.

A single sentence stating the main claim or purpose of an essay, usually in the introduction.

An essay that takes a clear position on an issue and defends it with reasons and evidence.

An essay that explains a topic clearly and objectively using facts and examples — not opinion.

Test III includes two constructed-response essays: one argumentative and one informative/explanatory.

GACE essays are scored on focus, development/support, organization, and language conventions.

Opens an essay: hooks the reader, gives context, and states the thesis.

Develops one main point with a topic sentence, evidence, and explanation.

Restates the thesis, summarizes key points, and leaves a final thought — no new evidence.

Specific facts, examples, and reasoning that support each point in an essay.

Acknowledging an opposing view, then refuting it, strengthens an argumentative essay.

A logical structure — intro, body paragraphs, conclusion — with clear transitions.

Revising improves ideas, organization, and clarity; editing fixes grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Who you write for and why; both shape tone, word choice, and content.

Choosing precise, economical words; the GACE rewards clear over wordy or informal phrasing.

Match the verb to the true subject, ignoring words between subject and verb.

Pairs like affect/effect, accept/except, then/than — choose the meaning that fits.

Mixing short and long, simple and complex sentences to keep writing engaging and clear.

Ideas that flow logically and connect smoothly within and between paragraphs.

A word naming a person, place, thing, or idea.

A word expressing an action or state of being.

A word that describes a noun or pronoun (a quick answer).

A word that describes a verb, adjective, or other adverb, often ending in -ly (ran quickly).

A word showing a relationship of place, time, or direction (in, on, before, between).

A word that joins words or clauses (and, but, or, because).

Joins equal parts: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (FANBOYS).

Begins a dependent clause (because, although, while, since, if).

Two independent clauses joined by a comma + coordinating conjunction or a semicolon.

An independent clause plus at least one dependent clause.

Use a comma before for/and/nor/but/or/yet/so when it joins two independent clauses.

Enclose direct speech or a quotation; periods and commas go inside them.

A hyphen joins words (well-known); a dash sets off or emphasizes a phrase.

Add only an apostrophe after the s for a plural noun (the students' books).

'Who' is the subject (who called?); 'whom' is the object (to whom did you speak?).

'Affect' is usually a verb (to influence); 'effect' is usually a noun (a result).

'Then' refers to time/sequence; 'than' is used for comparisons.

Two negatives in one clause (can't get no) — nonstandard; use one negative.

Capitalize the first, last, and all major words in a title (Title Case).

The noun or pronoun that performs the action or is described.

The part of a sentence containing the verb and what it says about the subject.

Restating repeats an idea in new words; summarizing condenses the main points.

Avoid vague 'this/it/they' with no clear noun to point back to.

Conveying an appropriate attitude (formal, objective) suited to audience and purpose.

The Georgia Professional Standards Commission — owns GACE and Georgia educator certification.

The vendor that develops and delivers the GACE assessments for GaPSC.

The basic-skills assessment (Reading 210, Mathematics 211, Writing 212) for entry to a Georgia educator-preparation program.

The option to take all three Program Admission tests in one session.

A scaled score of 250 on each test, OR a combined total of at least 750 across all three.

Since July 1, 2021, a score below 250 on one test still passes if the three-test total is ≥ 750.

Qualifying SAT, ACT, or GRE scores can exempt a candidate from the Program Admission tests.

The ethics assessment taken near program admission; embedded training modules with end-of-module assessments (no scaled score).

The ethics assessment taken near program completion, covering the Georgia Code of Ethics for Educators.

The professional-conduct standards Georgia educators must follow; the basis of the Ethics assessments.

A subject-area test (e.g., Elementary Education) candidates take to certify in the field they will teach.

The GACE assessment for candidates pursuing a school or district leadership certificate.

A converted score on a standard scale (not a raw percent) that allows fair comparison across test forms.

A multiple-choice question with one best answer — the main format on the GACE tests.

A written-answer item; the GACE Writing test has two such essays.

You keep tests you pass and retake only those not yet passed, after a short waiting period.

GACE Program Admission scores are typically reported about 28 days after the test date.

GACE tests are taken on computer at test centers (and remote-proctored where available).