GAT Examination for all students of VCE Unit 3/4 Subjects in 2017

Practice GAT Date: Monday 1 May 2017 (Year 12 College Hall) Wednesday 3 May 2017 (Year 11 Students in College Hall)

The practice GAT will be a 1 hour 15min exam running between 8:45am – 10:00am. All students studying a scored unit 3-4 subject must do the practice GAT.

Students should be at school on Monday 1 May, no later than 8:30am.

Students should be aware of the following:

Examination Procedures & Rules

This is a compulsory exam practice.
If you are sick on the day the practice GAT or are on a school approved absence there will be a rescheduled practice GAT.
(Medical Certificate must be supplied)
Check windows of the College Hall (Year 12) or Trade Training Center (Year 11) for class examination location and seat number for each examination.
Full College Uniform must be worn.
Students should arrive at the College no later than 8:45am on Monday 1 May.

What can I bring into the Examination room?

Pens, pencils, erasers, rulers in a plastic pocket.
Bottled water – clear unlabelled bottle.

What I cannot bring into the Examination room!

Mobile phones.
Any other electronic equipment.
White-out.
Additional Material that could result in a breach of examination rules.

Once inside the Examination room.

There is to be absolutely NO talking once the examination room has been entered.
Students are not allowed to leave the room until the end of the examination.
NO toilet breaks during examinations.
Students must not talk at the end of the examination whilst papers are being collected.

I ask that you please note the date for this exam in your diary and ensure that students are in attendance on Monday May 1 2017, between 8.30 am and 10:15 am.

Written responses will be marked and returned with feedback before students sit the actual GAT on Wednesday June 14.

Actual GAT Date :Wednesday 14 June 2017

On Wednesday 14 June, all students of VCE Unit 3 and 4 subjects at the College will complete a compulsory General Achievement Test (GAT). The GAT is a 3-hour exam and will occur on June14 between 10.00 am – 1.15 pm. Students who achieve high results on the GAT tend to achieve higher ATAR scores.

External invigilators in the College Hall and Runnals House will run the examination.

The exam will run for 3 hours after which students will be free to leave the College.

9.30 am Students required to attend the GAT Examination arrive at College Hall to check their seat number.

9:45 am Students commence entering the Hall / Crate

10.00 am Reading Time Commences

10:15am Writing Time Commences

1:15 pm Writing time concludes

Purpose of the GAT

The GAT is a test of general knowledge and skills in written communication, mathematics, science and technology, humanities, the arts and social sciences taken by all Victorian students prior to completing their VCE. It consists of two writing tests and 70 multiple choice questions on science, technology, mathematics and humanities. The first writing test is usually an informative piece based on information given, while the second is an opinionative piece to be based on statements provided. At the end of the year students receive a statement of marks showing their numerical score for each section of the GAT (Writing, Arts/Humanities and Science/Maths).

The GAT is an essential part of the VCE assessment procedure. It plays an important role in checking that a school's assessments and examinations have been accurately assessed.

The VCAA will use GAT results to:

review school assessments of School-assessed Tasks
perform the process of statistical moderation of School-assessed Coursework
check the accuracy of student scores in examinations
calculate a Derived Exam Score if it is required.

During the lead up to the GAT students will be undertaking a practice written task (as outlined above) as well as additional practice in multiple choice questions during home group. The College has instituted this program to support students in achieving the highest possible ATAR result. I am sure that all parents will support the College to ensure that all students are in attendance on this day so that we can work with each and every Year 12 student to provide them with greater opportunities for their future.

Jamie Mason

Director of Pathways Engagement

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