GAT
https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/assessment/vce-assessment/general-achievement-test/Pages/index.aspx
The following materials are provided to assist students who are preparing to sit the 2022 General Achievement Test (GAT).
The materials include the front covers, answer books and multiple-choice answer sheets for Section A and Section B. Teachers should ensure that students are aware of the correct method of completing the answer books and the multiple-choice answer sheets.
2022 General Achievement Test (GAT)
The 2022 GAT will be delivered in two sections:
Section A
Literacy and numeracy skills
One writing task with two parts
50 numeracy multiple-choice questions
50 reading multiple-choice questions
Section A Writing task will be in two parts. Students are presented with a stimulus (for example an image or text) and asked to respond to two prompts. The first part will be of a short answer type, with the second part allowing for a more detailed response. Both parts will take about 30 minutes to complete – 10 minutes for Part 1 and 20 minutes for Part 2. Students will be will assessed on the effectiveness of the writing for the audience and purpose appropriate to the task; ideas; and, structure and cohesion. In addition, mechanical aspects of writing including, grammar, punctuation and spelling will be assessed.
Section A Multiple-Choice questions cover numeracy and literacy (reading). Questions are based on a range of contexts including those you may encounter in daily life. There is 45 minutes allocated to each multiple-choice section.
Section B
General Knowledge and Skills
One extended writing task
25 mathematics, science and technology multiple-choice questions
25 arts and humanities multiple-choice questions
Section B Writing Task asks students to develop a piece of writing presenting a point of view in response to several prompts. In addition to utilising the information provided, students can draw on their own ideas to communicate clearly and effectively to the reader. The writing task will take about 30 minutes to complete.
Section B Multiple-Choice questions cover mathematics, science, technology, humanities, the arts and social sciences. You should attempt every question. Marks will not be deducted for incorrect answers. This section consists of groups of questions or units. Each unit will offer one or more pieces of information with several questions relating to that information.
2022 GAT schedule
View the 2022 GAT schedule.
For information on which students are expected to sit Sections A and B in 2022, view Who needs to sit the GAT?
There will be a range of difficulties in the questions contained in the GAT. Suggested time allocations are provided for each component within the GAT to ensure students attempt all sections of the GAT. Even if one section is not completed within the suggested time allocation, students should move on to attempt the next section. Students can return to any incomplete questions at the end of the test. Marks will not be deducted for incorrect answers.
What to bring to the GAT
In 2022 the GAT will be a pen-and-paper test.
You can bring the following items into the GAT:
An English/Bilingual printed dictionary and scientific calculator can be taken into both sections of the GAT.
Pens, pencils and an eraser
Electronic dictionaries are not permitted.
From 2022, Section A of the GAT will measure students' skills in literacy (reading and writing) and numeracy.
This page provides some sample questions that will be found in Section A of the 2022 GAT.
For Section B, the questions and writing task will be similar to those in prior GATs (up until 2021). The single writing task on Section B of the 2022 GAT will be similar in format to the prior Writing Task 2. View Past GAT papers.
Intro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSGkQl8o4nI
GAT information
https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/assessment/vce-assessment/general-achievement-test/Pages/Index.aspx
Sample GAT Part A
Past GAT papers for part B
About the GAT
While the GAT already plays an important role in the quality assurance of VCE assessments, it will now also provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate they have the literacy and numeracy skills expected of students completing studies at senior secondary level. View detailed information on the changes for the 2022 GAT.
Use of the GAT in VCE quality assurance processes
The GAT remains an essential part of the VCE quality assessment process. GAT component scores (from Sections A and B), while not counting directly towards VCE results, play an important role in checking that School-based Assessments and external assessments have been accurately assessed.
GAT results are also used in the calculation of the Derived Examination Score (DES).
School-based Assessment and the GAT
The VCAA applies statistical moderation procedures to School-based Assessment scores to ensure that they are comparable across the state and fair to all students. The statistical moderation process compares the level and spread of each school’s assessments of its students in each study with the level and spread of the same students’ scores in the external assessment, and adjusts the school scores, if necessary.
In some studies, GAT component scores will also be used for statistical moderation. This will be done only if they provide a better match with School-based Assessments throughout the state. The external assessment scores will always have the major influence in the statistical moderation calculations.
External assessments and the GAT
The GAT is used as part of a final check on external assessment scores. If the final score for an external assessment is significantly different from the score predicted by the GAT, school indicative grades and any other external assessment final scores for the study, the external assessment will be assessed again by the chief assessor. Scores may go up or stay the same, but they will not go down as a result of this final check.
Derived Examination Scores and the GAT
The calculation for the Derived Examination Score (DES) uses all available scores for the student in the affected study, the indicative grade for any external assessments provided by the school and the GAT component scores. For each approved application for a specific external assessment, the VCAA will calculate a range of possible DES scores, which will be calculated statistically from the student’s other assessments, including:
moderated School-based Assessments
GAT component scores
other external assessment scores, if applicable
indicative grades provided by the school.
The contribution made by the graded assessments, the indicative grade and the GAT component scores is determined by analysis of the comparison data with the final score for the specific external assessments for all students who have not applied for a DES. For all external assessments, the two graded School-based Assessment scores provide the greatest contribution to all the predictors.
If a student is eligible for a DES and the highest of the predictors is greater than the achieved external assessment score, the highest predictor is chosen as the final score for the student in the relevant external assessment.
A GAT Statement of Results is mailed to each student. Results for Section A (Literacy and Numeracy) and combined Section A and B component scores are provided on the statement.
Section A results indicate student performance against the standards for writing, reading and numeracy.
In addition, where a student has completed both Sections A and B their results will include a standardised score for each GAT component. The components are:
Writing (Section A) and written communication (Section B)
Numeracy (Section A) and mathematics, science and technology (Section B)
Reading (Section A) and humanities, the arts and social sciences (Section B).
The VCE or VCAL Statement of Results indicates if a student obtained results in the GAT or had an authorised or unauthorised absence from one or both sections.
Schools can access their students’ GAT results on the Victorian Assessment Software System (VASS) at the end of the academic year when results are released. Students cannot apply for a DES for the GAT.