GACE Basic Skills Assessment

What are the GACE Basic Skills Assessment exams?

The GACE Basic Skills Assessment exams are a test of basic competencies in Reading, Writing and Math. It is used as an entrance requirement for the Teacher Education Program at Kennesaw State University and additionally satisfies the first requirement for certification in the state of Georgia. The exams are is similar to the SAT and the Regents Exam.

What exams do I take in order to satisfy the GACE Basic Skills requirement?

All 3 Basic Skills Assessment exams are required - Reading (GACE Test Code 200), Math (GACE TEst Code 201) and Writing (GACE TEst Code 201).

Who Must Take the GACE Basic Skills Assessment Tests?

Anyone entering Kennesaw State University in the Fall 1998 or after must have passed or exempted GACE Basic Skills Assessment (unless passing Praxis I scores were posted prior to September 30, 2006, then Praxis I will satisfy this requirement) in order to be admitted to the Teacher Education Program. Students entering Kennesaw State University before Fall 1998 do not need the GACE Basic Skills Assessment, or exemption from, to enter the program but must pass GACE Basic Skills Assessment, or exempt it, in order to be certified to teach.

What is considered passing on the GACE tests?

Passing scores for all GACE exams, including the 3 Basic Skills Assessment exams - Reading, Math and Writing - is 220. A minimum of 220 is required on each exam in order to meet this requirement.

When and where can I take the GACE Basic Assessment tests?

GACE Basic Skills Assessment test are only offered in a paper-and-pencil format. Visit the GACE website for test dates and locations.

The deadline to register is generally one month before the test date. Registration information is available online through the GACE Registration website or in the registration bulletins available in the Teacher Education Advisement Center.

How much does GACE Basic Skills Assessment cost?

The fee for each of the 3 exams is $25.00, for a total of $75.00. There is a registration fee of $20.

There is fee waiver information in the Registration Bulletin.

How do you prepare for GACE Basic Skills Assessment?

Preparation Guides
Preparation guides for the tests are available on the GACE Preparation Materials website and may be viewed and printed free of charge.

Workshops
Workshops are being offered through the KSU Teacher Resource and Activity Center and Continuing Education. Please contact one of these offices to inquire about the workshops. PAGE and GAE are also offering workshops.

Writing Center – HU 237B
The Writing Center can help current students practice with writing impromptu essays and preparing for the grammar sections of the test. Contact Dr. Bob Barrier, Director, Writing Center at 770-423-6380.

Math Lab – LIB 423
The Math Lab can help current students develop or strengthen the skills needed to be successful on the Math test. Contact Robert Jordan, Math Lab Coordinator, at 770-423-6044.

University Studies – LIB 402
Department of University Studies has faculty and space available for Praxis I test preparation tutorials in Reading, Writing and Math. Contact Mike Keleher, Instructor and English Unit Coordinator, at 770-423-6207.

CAPS – KH 2422
The CAPS office can work with current students on test taking skills as well as issues with test anxiety. Contact CAPS Center at 770-423-6600 to make an appointment with a counselor.

Office of Disabled Student Support Services - Student Center 267
For current students that have a physical or learning disability, this office can assist with the paperwork needed to request accommodations from Praxis. Contact Carol Pope, Director Office of Disabled Student Services, at 770-423-6443.

Please note that GACE replaced Praxis as of September 30, 2006. The following information is for information purposes only. Only those individuals who met the the requirement prior to the deadline set by the Professional Standards Commission (PSC) should refer to the following information.

What was considered passing on the Praxis I tests?

You could either pass the tests individually or add your scores together for the three tests.

Individually you needed to score:
176 on Reading,
174 on Writing, and
176 on Math
(the score range is from 150-190).

A composite pass score of 526 was required and could be obtained by adding the highest score from each individual exam together, i.e. 176+174+176=526 or 175+177+174=526.