The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) is planning to conduct the General Achievement Test (GAT) on the rescheduled date of Thursday August 12, 2021, between 10:00am and 1:15pm. The GAT is compulsory for any student undertaking at least one Unit 3-4 sequence (this includes some students completing a second year VETiS program), even if a Year 12 student doesn’t intend to sit the end of year exam, instead completing school assessed VCE. The GAT will be held at Damascus College in the Damascus Events Centre (DEC).

The GAT falls on a school day where classes will be scheduled. The expectation of students completing the GAT is that they will not attend their classes prior to completing the GAT. They are asked to arrive prior to 9:30am, meeting in the court yard upon their arrival and students will be given entry into the exam hall at approximately 9:45am. At the conclusion of the GAT, students will be given a lunch break until 2pm, having access to the common room and undercroft during this time. Students are then required to attend their period 5 and 6 classes. This is to allow students to optimise face to face class contact time.

Students are also required to follow the current Department of Health advice, specifically adhering to the following;

• Students are required to wear face masks, this includes for the duration of the GAT and whilst on school grounds.
• Before and after the GAT, physical distancing of 1.5 metres between all individuals is to be adhered to.

A reminder on what is the GAT?

The 3 hour GAT, along with an additional 15 minutes reading time, has three components:

• Written communication
• Mathematics, Science and Technology
• Humanities, the Arts and Social Sciences.

Your son or daughter will have received a GAT brochure on Tuesday May 25, which explains in some detail the structure of the GAT and the way it may be used in terms of their assessment. The GAT can be viewed as an insurance policy in that it is used to verify the reliability of a student’s school based work and end of year exams. It is also used for Derived Exams Scores. In these instances, a student may be unable to sit an exam but still require a score for the subject. The GAT brochure can also be viewed through this link. Further information about the GAT can also be found on the VCAA website through this link.

No special study is required for the GAT and students are strongly encouraged to attempt the test to the best of their ability. However, it would help if students familiarise themselves with the style and format of the paper. Samples from past years, with solutions, are available from the VCAA website. GAT Past Papers

Students are required to stay in the exam hall for the duration of the GAT. Therefore, they should utilise the full time the test allows to complete the GAT to the best of their ability.

Rules to be mindful of:

Not Allowed

No electronic devices are permitted in the exam room. (If a phone or smart watch is confiscated, it may be retained for up to 3 months).

Food is not allowed

Allowed

A clear plastic label-free water bottle, no larger than 1.5 litre, is permitted in the exam room.

A printed dictionary is allowed

Students are asked to bring a pen, pencil and eraser. (Multiple choice completed in pencil, 2 written essays to be completed in pen)

A reminder students are expected to wear full school uniform.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call or email.