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Author Topic: GAT Questions and Discussion  (Read 128922 times)

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Aaron

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GAT Questions and Discussion
« on: June 11, 2017, 08:08:11 pm »
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General Achievement Test (GAT)
Questions, Discussion and Comments

Note: To ask a question here, you will first need to register an account.

With the increased discussion lately regarding the General Achievement Test, we thought it would be appropriate to create a thread to collate all the discussion for easy access (given there isn't a specific forum for it).

If you have a question or comment about the GAT, please post it here rather than posting it somewhere else.

Thanks!

Additional Links:
If there is something missing that you think is worth adding, let me know

Why is the GAT important and what effect does it have on my VCE?
The GAT for majority of students will play a very minor role in the calculation of their study scores, and thus, their ATAR. However, the GAT plays a more important role if you require a derived exam score (due to illness or inability to sit an exam).

You cannot predict the future. It is fine now to say you will not need it, but circumstances change and unexpected things do happen. Put yourself in the best possible position and at least attempt it genuinely.

For more information: http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Pages/vce/exams/gat/relates.aspx
What preparation can I do before the GAT?
The GAT is exactly what it stands for: General Achievement Test. It tests a broad range of skills, and therefore, there is no significant preparation that you can do. The next best thing is to look at the past GAT papers and at least understand what you will be required to do. Included in the previous spoiler is a list of exams from the past years. You will see that the writing task requirements do not change, so you can take comfort in knowing that you will have to do something similar (with different prompts and infographics, of course).

The GAT is not like an end-of-year VCAA exam. The overall significance is minimal. This does not mean don't try, it means that you should not be working yourself up over it. Understand what you will need to do, and go from there. Try your hardest.

Last updated 4/06/2018 by Aaron: Added 2017 past paper and MC solutions
« Last Edit: May 28, 2019, 10:02:43 am by Joseph41 »
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riyaxxs

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Re: GAT Questions and Discussion
« Reply #1 on: June 11, 2017, 08:26:25 pm »
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Hi! The GAT is coming up reallly soon and I'm a little anxious about the writing component...I know there are a lot of threads about it but I'm still quite confused about what you can write and what you shouldn't write. I'm in year 12 this year and I didn't do badly last year, but I would still like to do as well as I can because the GAT can only help you right?

Firstly, IS a creative piece allowed for writing task 1? And regardless of whether I write kinda creatively or just an essay, do I have to refer directly to the graphs and the information they present? Or just indirectly refer to the material?

And with the second piece what does it mean by evidence?! I think last year one of the topics was "we need to work hard to appreciate our leisure time" and I have no clue what that could possibly entail? Am I meant to give anecdotal evidence?

I know these questions have probably been asked before, but I can't seem to find any clear-cut responses? Thank-you to anyone who can answer this, I really appreciate it :)

Aaron

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Re: GAT Questions and Discussion
« Reply #2 on: June 12, 2017, 12:27:41 am »
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Hi riya, welcome to ATAR Notes. Have you had a chance to look at the actual GAT paper from last year in detail (available here if you have not: http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Documents/exams/GAT/2017/2016gat-cpr-w.pdf)?

I'm not sure why Task 1's instructions aren't showing in the PDF for the 2016 GAT paper..... but they are visible + the same for the 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Based on the GAT's from previous years (here: http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Pages/vce/exams/gat/gat.aspx):
* Task 1 requires you to present the evidence/facts outlined in the infographic (not an argument)
* Task 2 requires you to use one of the prompts to develop a piece that presents your point of view.
* Then you have your multi-choice questions.

It may be worth looking at the GAT past papers for the last 3 years to get an idea of what it is asking. I can't really comment much more given I did my GAT a while ago now, going off trends.
« Last Edit: June 12, 2017, 12:34:50 am by Aaron »
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osporth

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Re: GAT Questions and Discussion
« Reply #3 on: June 12, 2017, 01:31:11 am »
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Heyy! I have a couple questions regarding what the GAT actually is important for because I'm hearing a lot of mixed messages. My school gave us this big chat about it and said that it can influence your SAC results/actual study scores?? We were told that if you do super well on the GAT but your actual marks are not that great they will take into account the GAT for scaling or something? Also, we were told if you do very badly on the GAT your scores can get scaled down? I haven't heard about this anywhere else and I feel like it probably isn't entirely truthful but I'm a bit worried :-\

Thanks!


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Aaron

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Re: GAT Questions and Discussion
« Reply #4 on: June 12, 2017, 02:16:23 am »
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The impact of the GAT on your scores is quite minimal osporth, unless you require a derived score due to illness or inability to sit the exam for a subject.

Here is some info directly from the VCAA which should (somewhat) clarify these concerns: http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Pages/vce/exams/gat/relates.aspx

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The Waterboy

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Re: GAT Questions and Discussion
« Reply #5 on: June 12, 2017, 02:47:23 pm »
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When they derive your study score, do they use your score from the GAT on all sections together? I'm not doing any humanities so I'm thinking on not doing the humanities section of the GAT.

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Re: GAT Questions and Discussion
« Reply #6 on: June 12, 2017, 03:54:39 pm »
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When they derive your study score, do they use your score from the GAT on all sections together? I'm not doing any humanities so I'm thinking on not doing the humanities section of the GAT.

The derived score takes into account all sections, how much is dependent on the subject that the score is being calculated for. Remember, the GAT is a test of skills, so the analytical component from the humanities questions, for example, is also considered in any other subject that requires a similar skill set (i.e essentially every subject). 
« Last Edit: June 12, 2017, 04:00:44 pm by hahahaha »

lilyrosee

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Re: GAT Questions and Discussion
« Reply #7 on: June 12, 2017, 04:17:50 pm »
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The derived score takes into account all sections, how much is dependent on the subject that the score is being calculated for. Remember, the GAT is a test of skills, so the analytical component from the humanities questions, for example, is also considered in any other subject that requires a similar skill set (i.e essentially every subject). 


I was also wondering this as I do not do any maths or science subjects so how will my ability in English, Literature, Drama, Media & Australia History be indicative of my score in the maths section, a subject I have to taken for 2 years!
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Re: GAT Questions and Discussion
« Reply #8 on: June 12, 2017, 05:24:06 pm »
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I was also wondering this as I do not do any maths or science subjects so how will my ability in English, Literature, Drama, Media & Australia History be indicative of my score in the maths section, a subject I have to taken for 2 years!

Remember, the GAT is not directly like the maths or science subjects, they're testing skills like critical reading and problem solving. You're not going to walk into the GAT and be given a specialist maths question to answer. The questions for what's considered 'science' and 'maths' are often quite abstract anyway and plenty of people who consider themselves strong in maths find it odd too.

Every question, no matter humanities, maths, or science, provides all you need to know to be able to fairly have a good attempt at the question. Don't sweat it! Do your best, but don't stress out about it.
« Last Edit: June 12, 2017, 05:27:26 pm by www »
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Aaron

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Re: GAT Questions and Discussion
« Reply #9 on: June 13, 2017, 05:05:58 pm »
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Good luck to all sitting the GAT tomorrow. If you are worried or want to know the types of tasks you'll be expected to complete, see the past links in the first post. You can still ask q's here if you are concerned, but I am positive you all will do fine :)
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Re: GAT Questions and Discussion
« Reply #10 on: June 13, 2017, 05:18:38 pm »
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... but I am positive you all will do fine :)

Thanks Aaron...
Wish I shared that confidence!!
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patriciarose

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Re: GAT Questions and Discussion
« Reply #11 on: June 13, 2017, 05:23:01 pm »
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does anyone know if, for the second writing task (persuasive) with multiple prompts, we're encouraged to stick to just one of the statements or utilise a few? it says one or more, which could mean basically anything haha. i'm just curious as to whether it'd be considered better to incorporate a couple? thanks! (:
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TheAspiringDoc

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Re: GAT Questions and Discussion
« Reply #12 on: June 13, 2017, 05:28:30 pm »
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does anyone know if, for the second writing task (persuasive) with multiple prompts, we're encouraged to stick to just one of the statements or utilise a few? it says one or more, which could mean basically anything haha. i'm just curious as to whether it'd be considered better to incorporate a couple? thanks! (:
You can do multiple by identifying a common theme to the prompts and then addressing the theme as well as each prompt within your response

brenden

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Re: GAT Questions and Discussion
« Reply #13 on: June 13, 2017, 05:31:48 pm »
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The most important thing to remember about the GAT is that it isn't worth a single second of stress, but you may as well do as best a job possible while you're actually sitting the test :)
✌️just do what makes you happy ✌️

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Re: GAT Questions and Discussion
« Reply #14 on: June 13, 2017, 05:37:38 pm »
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I'm not really a great writer...
Would it be better to spend more time on the questions and try to get a better mark there??
What is the best way to divide up the time??
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