The GAT 

Last week, just over 200 of our senior students sat the General Achievement Test, commonly called the GAT. For many, this was their first taste of an official external examination. I congratulate our students on the mature way in which they undertook this examination. 

What is the GAT?

The GAT is a pen-and-paper test of general knowledge and skills taken by students while completing their senior secondary studies. It plays an important role in the quality assurance of VCE assessments and provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate they meet the Victorian Literacy and Numeracy Standards expected at a senior secondary level. All students completing one or more Unit 3 & 4 subjects in the VCE, must sit the GAT. 

There is no special study needed in preparation for it. Past study of subjects like English, Mathematics, Science and History prepares students by building their general knowledge and skills in writing, numeracy, and reasoning. Students are also able to view samples of past papers to get a feel for the style of questions asked. 

The GAT is split into two sections:

Part A is a two hour literacy and numeracy assessment consisting of:

A two-part writing task,

50 numeracy multiple choice questions, and 

50 reading multiple choice questions.

Part B is a 1½ hour general knowledge and skills assessment consisting of:

An extended writing task, 

25 mathematics, science and technology multiple-choice questions, and 

25 arts and humanities multiple-choice questions.

Part A is taken in the morning and Part B in the afternoon of the same day.

What are the GAT results used for?

Each student will receive a GAT Statement of Results. 

The results will indicate if the student has met the standard, not met the standard, or met the standard and demonstrated a level of excellence in reading, writing and numeracy introduced in Part A. 

The standards can be found following this link: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/assessment/vce-assessment/general-achievement-test/Pages/VictorianLiteracyandNumeracyStandards.aspx

If a student does not meet the standards, they are provided another opportunity to do the test at a later date.

Part B of the GAT is used by VCAA (Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority) in the statistical moderation process of school-based assessments and the end of year exams, to ensure that the VCE assessments are fair across the state. It can also be used in determining a ‘Derived Exam Score’ if a student is unable to complete exams due to such things as sudden illness or injury.

VCE external assessments

The next external assessments that students studying a Unit 3 & 4 VCE subject will undertake will be in October this year. 

Oral and performance assessments will be first - Languages, Drama and Music - followed by written examinations in all subjects. 

Blessings to all our VCE students as they finish learning content next term and continue their preparation for the final exams.