This free GACE study guide covers everything the GACE Program Admission assessment measures across its three tests — Reading (210), Mathematics (211), and Writing (212) — organized to the current content from GaPSC and ETS.[1]
It’s interactive, not a wall of text: every test module has built-in checkpoint quizzes, flashcards, and practice questions, so you learn by doing — not just reading.
The Program Admission assessment is three separately scored tests, each on a scaled score that passes at 250(or a combined total of at least 750 across all three). That’s good news: you study and conquer one test at a time.
Read a module, test yourself at each checkpoint, then drill gaps with our free practice test and flashcards. This guide is a high-yield overview of what each test measures — not a full textbook.[3]
GACE Program Admission Snapshot
| Detail | GACE Program Admission |
|---|---|
| Owner / delivery | Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC); delivered by ETS |
| Tests | 3 separate tests: Reading (210), Mathematics (211), Writing (212) |
| Test I — Reading (210) | 56 selected-response questions · 85 minutes |
| Test II — Mathematics (211) | 56 selected-response questions · 90 minutes |
| Test III — Writing (212) | 40 selected-response questions + 2 essays · 100 minutes |
| Combined Test (710) | All three in one session · ~4 h 35 min testing |
| Format | Computer-delivered; selected-response plus two writing essays |
| Passing score | Scaled 250 on each test, OR a combined total ≥ 750 |
| Eligibility | Entry to a Georgia educator-prep program (SAT/ACT/GRE exemption may apply) |
| Cost | ≈$78 single test · ≈$103 two tests · ≈$128 Combined Test 710 (confirm current fees) |
| Retakes | Keep passed tests; retake only those not yet passed after a short wait |
Test I · Reading
21085 min
56 selected-response questions: comprehension, craft & structure, and integrating ideas.
Test II · Mathematics
21190 min
56 selected-response questions: number, algebra, geometry, and statistics.
Test III · Writing
212100 min
40 selected-response questions + 2 essays: conventions and constructed-response writing.
You don’t need a single “overall” GACE score — you satisfy the requirement by passing all three tests.[3] There are two ways to do it:
Path 1 — Pass each test
Earn a scaled score of 250 or higher on EACH test: Reading (210), Mathematics (211), and Writing (212).
Path 2 — Combined ≥ 750
Score below 250 on one test but still pass if your combined total across all three tests is at least 750 (effective July 1, 2021).
Reading and Mathematics carry 56 questions each, so they deserve the most reps; the Writing test adds two timed essays on top of its 40 selected-response items. Below, this guide teaches the high-yield content of each test in turn. After admission, you’ll also complete the assessment and a content-area test — here’s where Program Admission fits:
- 1
Pass GACE Program Admission (210/211/212)
Or claim an SAT/ACT/GRE exemption. This is the basic-skills gate into a Georgia educator-preparation program (EPP).
- 2
Complete Ethics – Program Entry (350)
Finish the embedded ethics training modules on the Georgia Code of Ethics near program admission ($30, no scaled score).
- 3
Enter & complete your EPP
Do the coursework and clinical experiences of your educator-preparation program.
- 4
Pass the GACE content assessment
Take the subject-area test for the field you'll teach (e.g., Elementary Education) and Ethics – Program Exit (360).
- 5
Apply for Georgia certification
With tests passed and the program complete, apply to GaPSC for your Georgia teaching certificate.
Module 1 · Reading (Test 210)
56 selected-response questions; 85 minutes. The Reading test measures how well you comprehend and analyze written passages — mostly informational texts on academic and everyday topics.[1] Its questions fall into three reporting categories:
Key Ideas & Details
Find the main idea and supporting details, summarize, and make inferences from the text.
Craft, Structure & Language
Determine author's purpose and tone, word meaning in context, and how a text is organized.
Integration of Knowledge & Ideas
Evaluate arguments and evidence, compare texts, and interpret visual or quantitative information.
1.1 Key Ideas & Details
Every reading question comes back to two skills: finding the and tracing the that develop it. From there the GACE pushes into — drawing logical conclusions the text implies but doesn’t state — and summarizing a passage accurately without adding your own opinion.
| Skill | What it asks you to do |
|---|---|
| Main idea & summary | Identify the central point and restate it concisely |
| Supporting details | Find the facts/examples that develop the main idea |
| Inference | Draw a logical conclusion the text implies but doesn't state |
| Explicit vs. implicit | Tell directly-stated information from what must be inferred |
| Relationships | Trace how ideas, events, or individuals affect one another |
1.2 Craft, Structure & Language
This category is about how a text is built. Determine the (to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain), the (attitude shown by word choice and ), the meaning of words from , and the passage’s (cause/effect, compare/contrast, sequence, or problem/solution).
| Concept | Key idea |
|---|---|
| Author's purpose | Why it was written: to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain |
| Tone | The author's attitude, revealed by word choice (formal, critical, hopeful) |
| Word meaning in context | Use surrounding words to define an unfamiliar or multiple-meaning word |
| Connotation vs. denotation | Connotation = emotional association; denotation = literal meaning |
| Text structure | Cause/effect, compare/contrast, sequence, problem/solution |
1.3 Integration of Knowledge & Ideas
The toughest reading questions ask you to think critically about a text: identify the author’s , judge whether the is relevant and sufficient, tell , compare two texts, and interpret quantitative or visual information presented in a passage.
Checkpoint · Reading (Test 210)
Question 1 of 10
In reading comprehension, what is the main idea of a passage?
Module 2 · Mathematics (Test 211)
56 selected-response questions; 90 minutes. Mathematics is the most-failed Program Admission test, usually because of rusty algebra and geometry — so it earns the most practice.[2] An on-screen calculator is available, so the skill is knowing which method to apply, not raw arithmetic speed. The test spans four content strands:
Number & Quantity
Integers, fractions, decimals, percents, ratios & proportions, exponents & roots, and order of operations.
Algebra & Functions
Linear & quadratic equations and inequalities, slope, y = mx + b, expressions, and functions.
Geometry
Perimeter, area, volume, the Pythagorean theorem, angles, and coordinate geometry.
Statistics & Probability
Mean, median, mode, range, reading data displays, and simple probability.
2.1 Number & Quantity
This is the number-sense strand. Master fractions, decimals, and and how to convert among them; and (solve by cross-multiplying); exponents and square roots; and the . Most GACE problems are word problems, so translate the words into an equation first.
| Topic | Key move |
|---|---|
| Percent of a number | Convert to a decimal and multiply: 20% of 80 = 0.20 × 80 = 16 |
| Percent change | (new − old) ÷ old × 100 |
| Ratio / proportion | Set two ratios equal and cross-multiply to solve |
| Fractions | Common denominator to add/subtract; multiply straight across |
| Order of operations | PEMDAS: parentheses, exponents, ×/÷, then +/− |
| Exponents & roots | xᵃ × xᵇ = xᵃ⁺ᵇ; a square root undoes squaring |
2.2 Algebra & Functions
Algebra is the heart of the Math test. Solve and inequalities, work with slope-intercept form y = mx + b, and find the of a line as rise over run. You’ll factor and solve , evaluate , and interpret graphs on the coordinate plane.
| Concept | What to remember |
|---|---|
| Slope | Rise over run = (y₂ − y₁)/(x₂ − x₁); the m in y = mx + b |
| Y-intercept | Where the line crosses the y-axis (x = 0); the b in y = mx + b |
| Linear equation | Isolate the variable using inverse operations on both sides |
| Quadratic equation | ax² + bx + c = 0; solve by factoring or the quadratic formula |
| Function | Each input has exactly one output; f(x) is the output for input x |
| Inequality | Solve like an equation, but flip the sign when multiplying/dividing by a negative |
2.3 Geometry
Geometry questions reward choosing the right formula and plugging in carefully. Know perimeter and area of rectangles, triangles, and circles; volume of common solids; angle relationships; and the for right triangles.
| Shape / measure | Formula |
|---|---|
| Rectangle area | Area = length × width |
| Triangle area | Area = ½ × base × height |
| Circle area / circumference | Area = πr² ; circumference = 2πr |
| Rectangular solid volume | Volume = length × width × height |
| Cylinder volume | Volume = πr²h |
| Pythagorean theorem | a² + b² = c² (right triangles) |
2.4 Statistics & Probability
The data strand tests reading graphs and tables, the measures of center, and simple probability. Know the difference between the , , and , plus the . is favorable outcomes divided by total outcomes, written from 0 to 1.
| Measure | How to find it |
|---|---|
| Mean (average) | Add all values, divide by how many there are |
| Median | Middle value when data are in order (average the two middle if even count) |
| Mode | The value that appears most often |
| Range | Highest value minus lowest value |
| Probability | Favorable outcomes ÷ total outcomes (a number from 0 to 1) |
Checkpoint · Mathematics (Test 211)
Question 1 of 10
Using the order of operations, evaluate 12 - (8 - 3) + 2.
Module 3 · Writing (Test 212)
40 selected-response questions + 2 essays; 100 minutes. The Writing test pairs a grammar-and-editing selected-response section with two timed constructed-response essays.[1] The selected-response items test standard English conventions and effective writing; the essays test whether you can produce clear, organized, well-supported writing under time.
3.1 Standard English Conventions
These items test grammar and usage in the context of sentences and short passages. The highest-yield rules: , consistent verb tense, pronoun agreement and clarity, , correct commas and apostrophes, and fixing the , , and .
| Rule | What to check |
|---|---|
| Subject-verb agreement | Match the verb to the true subject; watch words between subject and verb |
| Verb tense | Keep tense consistent unless the time frame actually changes |
| Pronoun agreement & clarity | Pronouns match their nouns in number; every pronoun has a clear referent |
| Parallel structure | Items in a list or comparison share the same grammatical form |
| Comma splice / run-on | Fix with a period, semicolon, or comma + a coordinating conjunction |
| Apostrophes | Show possession or contraction — not plurals (its vs. it's) |
3.2 Text Production & Revision
Beyond raw grammar, the selected-response section asks you to revise and improve writing: choose the clearest, most concise wording; add an effective ; keep ideas in a logical order; and prefer over wordy or passive phrasing. When an option sounds wordy or informal, it’s usually wrong.
| Goal | What to do |
|---|---|
| Clarity & concision | Cut wordiness; pick the shortest option that stays correct and complete |
| Transitions | Add words like however, therefore, for example to connect ideas |
| Organization | Keep sentences and ideas in a logical, easy-to-follow order |
| Active voice | Prefer 'the committee approved it' over 'it was approved by the committee' |
| Word choice | Choose precise, standard English over slang or vague terms |
3.3 The Two Constructed-Response Essays
The Writing test includes two timed essays: one (take and defend a position) and one (explain a topic objectively). The key first step is reading the prompt to identify which task it asks for — then planning a clear before you write.
- 1
Read the prompt and identify the task
Decide whether it asks for an argumentative essay (take a side) or an informative/explanatory essay (explain objectively).
- 2
Plan a clear thesis
Write one sentence stating your position or your main explanatory point — your thesis.
- 3
Outline your support
Jot 2–3 main points, each with specific reasons or evidence, in a logical order.
- 4
Write intro, body, conclusion
Open with the thesis, develop each point in its own paragraph with evidence, and close by restating your point.
- 5
Revise and edit
Check focus and organization, then fix grammar, punctuation, and word choice in your remaining time.
Both essays are scored on focus, development/support, organization, and language conventions. A strong response states a clear thesis up front, develops each point in its own paragraph with specific support, and ends with a brief conclusion — all in standard English.
Checkpoint · Writing (Test 212)
Question 1 of 10
In an effective argumentative essay, what is the primary function of the thesis statement?
How to Use This GACE Study Guide
Because the Program Admission assessment is three separate tests, the smartest plan is to conquer them one at a time:
- Pick one test. Start with the one you find hardest — usually Mathematics — so you give it the most runway.
- Read the module, then check yourself. Take the end-of-module checkpoint to see exactly which sub-topics need another pass.
- Check off as you go. Mark each section done in the Study Guide Contents — it raises your exam-readiness score.
- Drill weak spots. Send shaky topics into the flashcards and a practice test until you’re comfortably clearing 250.
- Schedule that test — then repeat. Pass it, move to the next test, and bank your wins one at a time. Don’t forget the assessment after admission.
GACE Concept Questions
Common GACE concepts students search while studying — each answered briefly and backed by an official source. Test yourself, then drill them as flashcards.
GACE Glossary
The high-yield GACE terms across Reading, Math, Writing, and the certification path in one place — hover any dotted term in the guide, or flip the whole deck here as a self-grading flashcard set.
- Active voice
- A sentence where the subject performs the action ('She wrote it'), usually clearer than passive voice.
- Argumentative essay
- An essay that takes a clear position on an issue and defends it with reasons and evidence.
- Author's purpose
- The reason a text was written — to inform, persuade, entertain, or explain.
- Claim
- A debatable statement an author argues for and supports with evidence.
- Combined Test 710
- The option to take all three Program Admission tests (210, 211, 212) in one session.
- Comma splice
- An error joining two complete sentences with only a comma; fix with a period, semicolon, or conjunction.
- Connotation
- The emotional or implied meaning of a word, beyond its literal (denotative) definition.
- Context clues
- Hints in surrounding words or sentences that help you figure out an unfamiliar word's meaning.
- Evidence
- The facts, examples, data, and reasoning used to support a claim.
- Fact vs. opinion
- A fact can be proven true or false; an opinion expresses a belief, judgment, or feeling.
- Function
- A relation where each input has exactly one output; f(x) is the output for input x.
- GaPSC
- The Georgia Professional Standards Commission, which owns GACE and Georgia educator certification.
- Georgia Educator Ethics
- A required assessment (Program Entry 350 and Program Exit 360) on the Georgia Code of Ethics for Educators.
- Independent clause
- A group of words with a subject and verb that can stand alone as a sentence.
- Inference
- A logical conclusion drawn from text evidence plus reasoning — implied but not stated outright.
- Informative essay
- An essay that explains a topic clearly and objectively using facts and examples — not opinion.
- Linear equation
- An equation whose graph is a straight line, with variables to the first power (e.g., y = 2x + 1).
- Main idea
- The central point a passage conveys — what the whole text is mostly about.
- Mean
- The average — the sum of all values divided by the number of values.
- Median
- The middle value of a data set arranged in order.
- Mode
- The value that appears most often in a data set.
- Modifier
- A word or phrase that describes another word; place it next to what it modifies.
- Order of operations
- The sequence for evaluating expressions — Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division, Addition/Subtraction (PEMDAS).
- Parallel structure
- Items in a list or comparison must share the same grammatical form.
- Percent
- A part per hundred; convert to a decimal by dividing by 100 (25% = 0.25).
- Probability
- The likelihood of an event, from 0 (impossible) to 1 (certain), as favorable outcomes ÷ total outcomes.
- Proportion
- An equation stating that two ratios are equal; solved by cross-multiplying.
- Pythagorean theorem
- For a right triangle, a² + b² = c², where c is the hypotenuse.
- Quadratic equation
- An equation containing a squared variable (ax² + bx + c = 0); its graph is a parabola.
- Range
- The difference between the highest and lowest values in a data set.
- Ratio
- A comparison of two quantities by division (e.g., 3 to 4, or 3:4).
- Run-on sentence
- Two or more complete sentences joined without proper punctuation or a conjunction.
- Scaled score
- A converted score on a standard scale (not a raw percent) used to compare across test forms; GACE passes at 250.
- Sentence fragment
- An incomplete sentence missing a subject, a verb, or a complete thought.
- Slope
- The steepness of a line: rise over run, the change in y divided by the change in x; the m in y = mx + b.
- Subject-verb agreement
- A grammar rule requiring a singular subject to take a singular verb and a plural subject a plural verb.
- Supporting detail
- A fact, example, statistic, or reason that explains, proves, or develops the main idea.
- Text structure
- How a passage is organized — cause/effect, compare/contrast, sequence, or problem/solution.
- Thesis
- A single sentence stating the main claim or purpose of an essay, usually in the introduction.
- Tone
- The author's attitude toward the subject, revealed through word choice (e.g., formal, critical, hopeful).
- Transition
- A word or phrase that connects ideas and shows their relationship (however, therefore, in addition).
- Y-intercept
- The point where a line crosses the y-axis (where x = 0); the b in y = mx + b.
GACE Study Guide FAQ
It is three separately scored tests: Test I Reading (210) with 56 selected-response questions in 85 minutes, Test II Mathematics (211) with 56 selected-response questions in 90 minutes, and Test III Writing (212) with 40 selected-response questions plus 2 essays in 100 minutes. The Combined Test (710) bundles all three in one session.
You need a scaled score of 250 on each test — Reading, Mathematics, and Writing. Since July 1, 2021, GaPSC also accepts a combined total of at least 750 across all three tests, so a strong score on one test can offset a slightly weak one. The tests are scored independently.
Test I Reading allows 85 minutes for 56 questions, Test II Mathematics allows 90 minutes for 56 questions, and Test III Writing allows 100 minutes for 40 questions plus 2 essays. The full Combined Test 710 runs about four and a half hours of testing and roughly five hours of total seat time.
The GACE is owned by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) and delivered by ETS. The Program Admission assessment is typically required for entry into a Georgia educator-preparation program, unless a candidate is exempt with qualifying SAT, ACT, or GRE scores.
Yes. You may take each test individually or take all three together as the Combined Test 710. You keep any test you pass and retake only the tests you have not yet passed, after a short waiting period.
Most candidates find Mathematics (211) the hardest, because rusty algebra, geometry, and data-interpretation skills cost points, followed by the two timed Writing essays. Reading is usually the most approachable. Bank the most practice on Math and the essays.
Mathematics (211) covers number and quantity, algebra and functions, geometry, and statistics and probability. An on-screen calculator is available for the test. This guide teaches the high-yield formulas and methods — for example, slope, percents, area and volume, the Pythagorean theorem, and the measures of center.
Separate from Program Admission, the Georgia Educator Ethics assessment (Program Entry 350 and Program Exit 360) uses embedded training modules and scenarios on the Georgia Code of Ethics for Educators. There is no scaled score — you complete all modules to earn credit — and it costs about $30.
Pick one test at a time, starting with your weakest (often Math). Read its module, take the checkpoint quiz, then drill gaps with our free practice test and flashcards. Check off each section to raise your exam-readiness score. The guide, practice test, and flashcards are 100% free with no account required.
References
- 1.Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators. “GACE Program Admission Assessment.” gace.ets.org. ↑
- 2.Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators. “Program Admission — Test at a Glance.” gace.ets.org. ↑
- 3.Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators. “GACE Scores and Passing Requirements.” gace.ets.org. ↑
- 4.Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators. “GACE Test Registration.” gace.ets.org. ↑
- 5.Georgia Professional Standards Commission. “Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment.” gapsc.com. ↑
- 6.National Archives. “The Constitution of the United States.” archives.gov. ↑
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