The Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) Biology (6-12) examination is designed to assess the knowledge and skills of individuals seeking admission to an educator preparation program/certification in Georgia.
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GACE Biology Exam Outline
The GACE Biology (6-12) exam is made of three testlets, which you can take individually in different sessions or all at once in one session. The total combined time limit is 2.5 hours, and the total number of questions is 100.
Biological Structures and Processes
(Testlet 206)
There are 40 questions in this testlet, and you’ll be timed at 1 hour. These questions test your knowledge and abilities regarding the following:
- The chemistry of major elements composing living things
- The physical and chemical properties of common molecules in living things
- The structures and functions of biologically important macromolecules and their monomers
- The structures of DNA and RNA
- DNA replication
- The role of RNA in protein synthesis
- The structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell organelles and parts
- The structure of a cell’s membrane
- Active and passive transport
- Cell theory
- The structures and functions of cells in multicellular organisms
- The hierarchical organization of cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems
- Photosynthesis
- Cellular respiration
- The laws of thermodynamics
- The structures and functions of organs and organ systems for growth and reproduction
- Mitosis and meiosis
- Major events of the cell cycle
- Types of reproduction
Ecosystem Dynamics
(Testlet 207)
There are 30 questions in this testlet, and you’ll be timed at 45 minutes. These questions test your knowledge and abilities regarding the following:
- Ecological concepts
- Types of biomes
- Biotic and abiotic factors that influence population dynamics
- Cause and effect in biodiversity, population sizes, density, and growth rates of species
- The influence of individual and group behaviors on the chances of survival and reproduction
- Ecological interactions between organisms
- Ways in which matter moves through biotic and abiotic reservoirs in an ecosystem
- Energy transfer within ecosystems
- Trophic levels and relationships within an ecosystem
- Factors affecting equilibrium, resistance, and resilience in an ecosystem
Heredity, Evolution, and Diversity
(Testlet 208)
There are 30 questions in this testlet, and you’ll be timed at 45 minutes. These questions test your knowledge and abilities regarding the following:
- The impact of human activities on climate change
- The impact of climate change on species and ecosystems
- Renewable resources and nonrenewable resources
- Types and sources of environmental pollution
- Ecological consequences of human activities and population growth that lead to biodiversity loss
- Sustainability
- The effect of different types of reproduction on the observed diversity of traits in a population
- Mendelian genetics
- Analyzing possible genotype and phenotype combinations in offspring
- Sources and types of mutations
- Factors that affect gene expression
- Basic methods, process, and tools used in molecular biology research
- Theory of natural selection
- The cause-and-effect relationship between natural selection and adaptation
- The processes of speciation that maintain reproductive isolation
- Ways in which natural selection can influence the phenotypes in a population
- Conditions associated with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium
- Basic taxonomy
- Evidence of common ancestry and diversity among living things
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Exam Registration
To register for the GACE Biology exam, you need to create a MyPSC account. Once you’ve created your account, you’ll receive your Georgia certification ID number and be able to submit a request for testing eligibility.
Once you have been approved for the Biology exam, you can register to take the test by creating an Evaluation Systems GACE testing account.
Fees
You can register to take the tests individually ($56.50) or combined ($169). Individuals taking the GACE exam at an international testing site are subject to an additional $50 test site fee.
Test Day
On test day, you should arrive at the testing center about 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment to allow time for the check-in process. If you arrive later than the listed reporting time on your admission ticket, you will not be able to take the exam and your testing fees will be forfeited.
You will then be asked to provide at least one form of valid identification, which must contain your photo and signature. Once the check-in process is complete, you will be asked to place all personal items in a secure locker outside the testing room.
Once you are ready, the proctor will lead you to the testing area and provide some short instructions before starting the exam.
How the Biology Exam is Scored
When you have completed your exam, you are given the option to report or cancel your scores. They cannot be reinstated if you choose to cancel your scores.
You should also receive an unofficial score report right after the exam. Your official report will be made available about three weeks after the testing window closes.
Passing Score
Your final score for the full exam will be a scaled score between 100 and 300. For the GACE Biology exam, the passing score is 220.
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FAQs
Q
How many questions are on the GACE Biology exam?
A
There are 100 selected-response questions on the exam.
Q
How long is the GACE Biology exam?
A
The time limit for the exam is 2.5 hours.
Q
What is the passing score for the GACE Biology exam?
A
To pass the exam, you must achieve a minimum scaled score of 220.
Q
How much does the GACE Biology exam cost?
A
The examination fee is $56.50 for each subtest, or $169 for the combined test..
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