GACE Biology (026/027/526) Practice Test

The Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) Biology examination is designed to assess the knowledge and skills of individuals seeking admission to an educator preparation program/certification in Georgia.

Click “Start Test” above to take a free GACE Biology practice test, and check out our premium-quality GACE test prep resources by clicking the links below!

GACE Biology Exam Outline

The GACE Biology exam is made of two subtests, which you can take individually in two different sessions or all at once in one session (the testing code for the combined session is 526). The the total combined time limit is 4 hours, and the total number of questions is 160.

Each subtest is split into multiple subareas.

Subtest I (026)

This subtest contains 80 selected-response questions, and you will be given a time limit of 2 hours. The questions are grouped into the following subareas:

I. Cell Biology: Cell Structure and Function (50%)

• The chemical structures and properties of biologically important molecules
• The dependency of biological processes on chemical principles
• The structure and function of enzymes
• Major biochemical pathways and energy flow within an organism
• The characteristics of living and nonliving things
• The defining characteristics of viruses, protists, plants, fungi, bacteria, and animals
• The structure and function of cells and organelles
• How cells maintain their internal environment and respond to external signals
• Eukaryotic cell division
• The cell cycle
• The regulation of processes

II. Genetics and Evolution (50%)

• The structure of nucleic acids and chromosomes
• The transfer of genetic information
• The nature of mutations
• Differentiation and specialization
• Basic lab techniques and more complex DNA technologies
• Mendel’s postulates
• Using Mendel’s postulates to predict probable outcomes of given genetic crosses
• Non-Mendelian inheritance
• Sources of genetic variation
• The evidence that supports evolution
• Models of evolutionary rates
• The genetic basis of speciation
• Scientific explanations for the origin of life on Earth
• Factors that lead to the extinction of species

Subtest II (027)

This subtest contains 80 selected-response questions, and you will be given a time limit of 2 hours. The questions are grouped into the following subareas:

I. Scientific Inquiry, Processes, Technology, and Society (30%)

• Processes involved in scientific inquiry and experimental design
• Processes involved in scientific data collection and manipulation
• The multidisciplinary nature of biology
• The use of scientific models
• Major historical developments of biology
• Procedures for the correct preparation, storage, use, and disposal of lab materials
• Appropriately and safely using and caring for lab equipment
• Safety and emergency procedures for science classrooms and labs
• The management of natural resources
• The impact of science and technology on the environment
• The impact of human activity and natural phenomena on society
• The ethical and societal issues arising from the use of science and technology

II. Organismal Biology (30%)

• The historical and current biological classification systems of organisms
• The characteristics of the major animal phyla
• The organizational hierarchy of multicellular organisms
• The anatomy and physiology of major organ systems
• The maintenance of homeostasis in organisms
• Reproduction, development, and growth
• Characteristics of the major divisions
• Growth and development and response to environment
• How plants obtain and transport water and inorganic nutrients
• How plants transport and store products of photosynthesis

III. Ecology: Organisms and Environments (40%)

• The hierarchical structure of the biosphere
• Relationships between and within species
• The influence of biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem on population size
• The relationship between reproductive strategies, population growth, and mortality rates
• The changes that occur during ecological succession
• Types of biomes
• Energy flow in biomes
• Biogeochemical cycles
• The effects of natural disturbances of biodiversity and ecosystems

Exam Registration

To register for the exam, you need to use your MyPSC account. If you do not have an account, create your account to receive your Georgia certification number. After you register for the Biology exam on MyPSC, create an ETS GACE testing account. Your ETS account lists the test(s) you are approved to take. You will register for the exam through your ETS GACE testing account.

Fees

You can register to take the subtests individually ($123) or combined ($193). Your test fee includes a $25 registration fee and a $28 test center fee. 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

The Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC), along with local education committees, established the minimum passing scores for the GACE content assessments:

• 220-249: Induction level
• 250: Professional level

If you take the combined test and one of your scores is at the induction level and the other is at the professional level, you will be considered as having only passed at the induction level.

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