The GAT (General Achievement Test) is an exam that must be sat by all VCE students taking at least one Unit 3&4 exam at the end of the year. Yes, I hear you, it is a very long exam and watching Netflix for four hours straight does sound much more enjoyable. However, it is important to do well on the GAT, as VCAA uses your results for various things.  

In 2022, the structure of the GAT changed significantly. You may know people who have taken the GAT in previous years, but the format of your exam will be vastly different to theirs. Hence, this article will take you through everything you need to know about the GAT (the new and improved version!).

Purpose of the GAT

Although it may not seem like it, the GAT is an extremely important tool that VCAA uses to ensure that everyone’s final study scores and ATAR are accurate and fair. 

Let’s say that you and a friend (from different schools) were talking about a Chemistry SAC you just did. Your jaw drops as they tell you how they had access to all their notes, and two hours just to complete three questions. On the other hand, your class didn’t even get access to a periodic table!

Thankfully, VCAA knows that this happens, so they use various measures to moderate SAC scores across the board. Usually, it’s the final exam scores for the subject that is used, but in some cases, GAT scores may also be used for moderation. For example, if the friend’s class from school all do poorly on the science questions on the GAT, while your class strives, VCAA can assume the friend’s school gave out very easy SACs. 

Similarly, the GAT may also be used to check the accuracy of your final exam mark. If you scored much lower on your exam than expected by your GAT score and indicative grades, your exam will be re-marked. 

Forgetting all this (very complicated) moderation stuff, the GAT is very important in the event you required a DES (derived examination score). A lot can happen on the day of your final VCE exams – you could get sick, arrive late to the exam for reasons outside your control, get injured in the weeks prior, the list goes on. Thus, if you miss your exam or cannot complete it properly, you can request for a DES.

This DES is a slightly adjusted study score that you receive based on your indicative grades, SACs, and GAT score. Let’s say you were sick on your English exam and did very poorly on it and applied for a DES.  However, if you performed well on the written section of the GAT, there’s a chance that your final score can get bumped up. 

Don’t get too bogged down on VCAA’s scaling processes though – they are quite sophisticated! The GAT will never bring your marks down, it can only push them up. The main take home message from this section is that: you should try your very best on the GAT. 

The Two Main Sections

Now that we’ve gotten the technical side of the GAT out of the way, lets dive right into the exam structure.

The GAT is split into two sections, A and B: 

  • Section A is designed to test your basic literacy and numeracy skills. By successfully completing this section of the GAT, you will have met the Victorian Literacy and Numeracy standards. These standards demonstrate that you have acquired enough skills throughout your schooling life to move into further study, the workforce, or other training. 

  • Section B tests your general knowledge and analytical skills and is more challenging than Section 1. We will get into more of what this section contains later. 

Section A takes 2 hours and Section B takes 1.5 hours. You will be given 15 minutes of reading time for each section, which means the entire exam goes for 4 hours. 

Don’t fret though – you are not expected to do everything in one sitting! There is a 1.5 hour break between the exams. 

What Each Section Includes

There’s a lot involved in each section, and by the end of the day, you may not want to see a multiple-choice question ever again. 

Since the format can get quite confusing, the tasks included in each section are explained below:

Section A:

  • A two-part writing task (30 minutes): to complete this section, you will be given a stimulus (i.e. an image/text). You will need to write two pieces of writing based on it.

    • The first section is a short answer type should take around 10 minutes. 

    • The second section requires a longer response and should take around 20 minutes. 

  • 50 numeracy multiple-choice questions (45 minutes): you will be tested on basic numeracy skills that you would have developed throughout your years of school (think arithmetic, graph reading, statistics, money, etc.).

  • 50 literacy multiple-choice questions (45 minutes): the questions in this section may involve you answering questions about a certain piece of text, knowledge about vocabulary, grammar, etc. Most of the types of texts you will encounter will be ones related to real life scenarios (think reviews, letters, emails). 

Section B: 

  • An extended writing task (30 minutes): this writing task is more extensive than the one in Section A. It requires you to think more analytically and present a point of view. You will be given about a few prompts (statements/images) based on a certain theme, and you need to craft a text that argues some or all those prompts. The prompts you get are very general statements (you’re not going to be asked to write about a topic that requires any type of research!) 

  • 25 maths, science, and technology multiple-choice questions (25 minutes): these multiple-choice questions will be STEM based, and are quite different to the straightforward numeracy ones in section A. All the information you will need to answer the question will be given to you (don’t worry – VCAA is not going to ask you to describe what Meiosis is!) Usually, you will be given a fair bit of information that will be needed to answer multiple questions. Logic will be required to solve the problems. 

  • 25 arts and humanities multiple-choice questions (25 minutes): the questions in this section may be based on a piece of writing (poem, essay etc), cartoons, images, or literary techniques. Once again, one piece of writing may be used for multiple questions. 

Note: you are permitted to take a dictionary and scientific calculator into the exam. 

Hopefully this article helped clear up your doubts regarding the GAT – it certainly isn’t the be all and end all. Although it doesn’t require any preparation, it is very important that you complete it to the best of your ability on the day. It is a great way to practise sitting a long exam before the end of the year!

FAQs

Why is the GAT important?

The GAT is essential because it helps ensure that all students’ final study scores and ATARs are fair and accurate. It serves as a moderation tool for SAC scores and can influence your final results, especially if you need a Derived Examination Score (DES).

What should I expect on exam day?

The GAT consists of two sections: Section A (literacy and numeracy) lasting 2 hours and Section B (general knowledge and analytical skills) lasting 1.5 hours, with a 1.5-hour break in between. Be prepared for a total of 4 hours of exam time, including reading time.

Do I need to study for the GAT?

While no specific preparation is required, it’s important to approach the GAT seriously. Familiarizing yourself with the format and types of questions can help you feel more comfortable on the exam day.

Can I bring anything into the exam?

Yes, you are allowed to bring a dictionary and a scientific calculator into the GAT. Make sure these tools are ready and within the guidelines provided by VCAA.

Is the GAT a good indicator of my overall performance?

While the GAT plays a role in moderation and scoring, it is not the only factor that determines your final marks. It can provide insights into your performance compared to your peers, but it’s just one component of your VCE journey. Your end of year exams matter the most!