Georgia Assessment for the Certification of Educators

The GACE exams were developed and implemented by the state of Georgia as a way of assessing the content knowledge of individuals seeking an education certificate. Undergraduate students will take the Content exams during their clinical experiences in the last year of studies.  MAT students may take these exams as part of their admissions, for some programs, or at any point during their degree program.

The GACE website offers extensive information regarding the GACE Content Assessments. Information regarding which tests to take, how to register and how to prepare for the tests.

Georgia Assessment for the Certification of Educators logo

  • GACE Content Assessment exams are designed to test a person's content knowledge in individual certification fields. Individuals completing a certification program must establish content knowledge in their degree field through passing scores on the GACE Content exam aligned with their degree field. Please refer to the list of exams and their related fields on the GACE website.

    GACE Test Dates - The GACE website provides updated testing dates.  GACE is only offered in a computer based testing format.

    GACE Test Sites - Test sites are located throughout the state of Georgia,the United States, and the world.  Please check the GACE website for updated information regarding test sites and their available test dates.

    GACE Preparation Materials & Study Guides - The GACE website provides study guides, sample questions and test design/framework information for each of the GACE exams.  Individuals are encouraged to utilize this free resource.

    GACE - Alternative Testing Arrangements - GACE provides alternative testing arrangements for individuals with document physical disabilities or religious beliefs which would not allow for Saturday testing.

    Score Report - GACE scores are automatically sent to the email address provided during registration for the GACE exam.  Electronic scores are reported to the college or university that is noted during registration and automatically to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC). 

 

GACE Content Assessment FAQ

    • Test of content skills competencies in specific certification fields
    • Required for certification in the state of Georgia
    • Each exam consists of multiple choice and may include a constructed response question
  • Each content area consists of 2 exams, except for middle grades individual subject/concentrations and Latin. For example: if an individual holds a degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education, this individual must pass GACE exams code 001 & 002, or combined exam 501, in order to satisfy the content assessment requirement and be eligible for certification in the state of Georgia. Another example: if an individual graduates with a degree in Middle Grades Education with a concentration in MG Math and MG Science, this individual must pass MG Math GACE exam code 013 & MG Science GACE exam code 014 in order to be certified in both fields. Please refer to the list of exams and their related fields on the GACE website.
    • Everyone completing an initial certification degree program must attempt the GACE Content exams, associated with their degree field, prior to graduation
    • Anyone seeking certification in the state of Georgia must apps the GACE Content exams associated with their field of certification
    • Anyone wishing to transfer their teaching certification to the state of Georgia and who does not have documentation of a content exam in their original state of certification
    • 220 is the passing score requirement for all GACE content exams
    • Register online at the GACE Registration website
    • Test dates are provided on the GACE website
    • Test dates are valid for all testing facilities worldwide
    • Test scores take 1-3 weeks to report, so plan accordingly
    • Visit the GACE website for locations worldwide
    • Fees are based upon the number of exams registered for on each given test date
    • Please visit the GACE "fees" website for more information
  • GACE and ETS do not currently offer fee waivers

GACE Program Admission Tests or Exemption FAQs

    • Tests basic competencies in Reading, Writing, and Math
    • Used as an entrance requirement for the Teacher Education at Kennesaw State University
    • Required for certification in the state of Georgia, unless exempted
    • Similar to the SAT and ACT
    • Reading and Mathematics tests consist solely of multiple choice questions, while Writing test contains multiple choice and constructed response questions

  • All 3 Program Admission exams are required:

    • Combined Exams Tests I, II, and III=test code(tc) #710  
      OR, if taken Individually,
    • Test I-Reading= tc # 210,  AND     
    • Test II Mathematics= tc # 211, AND 
    • Test III-Writing=  tc # 212

    Students with the following minimum scores on Collegiate SAT, ACT or GRE examinations may exempt GACE Program Admission Assessment (PAA) by submitting proof of scores to the Undergraduate Admissions Office

    Email

     

    • Anyone applying for admission to Bagwell College of Education's Teacher Education Program
    • Anyone wishing to obtain their initial certification in the state of Georgia and not otherwise meeting the requirement through an exemption exam or other option
    • Register online at the GACE Registration website
    • Government issue ID is required for admission to testing facilities and MUST match the name used in registration
    • Fees are based upon the number of exams registered for on each given test date.
    • Please visit the GACE " fees" website for more information.
    • Test dates are provided on the GACE website
    • Test dates are valid for all testing facilities worldwide
    • Test scores take 1-3 weeks to report, so plan accordingly, as scores must report officially before anyone may be admitted
    • Visit the GACE website for locations worldwide.
    • Test scores take 1-3 weeks to report, so plan accordingly, as scores must report officially before anyone may be admitted.
    • The passing standard for Program Admission assessments is 250.
    • Visit the GACE website addressing the testing accommodations.
    • Test Preparation Resources
      Preparation guides for the tests are available on the GACE Preparation Resources website and may be viewed and printed free of charge.
    • Visit the GACE website addressing the testing accommodations.
    • GACE and ETS do not currently offer fee waivers.

Educator Certification

KSU Options for Georgia Teacher Certification

Kennesaw State University offers an initial teaching certificate program through our bachelors degree program. For more information about our undergraduate programs, please visit the Teacher Education Advisement Center.

Bachelors Degree Program

Only the Master's of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program affords students an opportunity to obtain a master's degree and initial certification simultaneously. 

Masters Degree Program

 

Alternative Teacher Preparation Program

We offer only one alternative teacher preparation program, and it leads to a teaching certificate in foreign language education. Admission to this program requires that an individual already hold a bachelor's degree in the foreign language or hold a bachelor’s degree, in any field, and be a near native speaker of the foreign language in which certification is being sought. The alternative program is delivered by the Department of Foreign Languages. Individuals seeking further information on the KSU foreign language alternative certification program are encouraged to visit the Alternative Teacher Preparation website and/or contact the FLED faculty adviser. 

All KSU initial educator preparation programs are approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC) and lead to an initial teacher certification in the state of Georgia, assuming state-mandated exams are passed. 

Loan Forgiveness and Scholarships

There are many grant, scholarship, and loan forgiveness opportunities specifically available to students studying to become an educator.  Click the below links for resources to help get you started in exploring these programs to see if they would be a good fit for you.

  • Federal Student Loan Forgiveness - Review this link to view various programs designed to forgive federal student loan debt for educators. 
  • Georgia Association of Educators - The Georgia Association of Educators (GAE) offer a variety of scholarships and grants for educators. Visit their linked webpage for more information.
  • Get The Facts Out - In addition to state specific information on teacher loan programs, grants, and scholarships, scroll to the bottom of the page to view nation-wide scholarship and funding opportunities.  Look for the section header titled, "Federal/Nationwide Programs" towards the bottom of the page.
  • Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid - Kennesaw State University's Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid provides many opportunities to connect future educators to funding sources.  Programs such as the Federal TEACH Grant and Scholarship Universe can help offset the cost of your studies, freeing you up to focus on your dream of becoming a world-class educator through Kennesaw State's program. 
  • Teacher Pipeline Scholarship Program- In partnership with the Center for Black Educator Development, UNCF presents The Teacher Pipeline Scholarship Program, which is a scholarship and professional development program aimed at supporting college students who wish to pursue a career in K-12 education.

For additional information and to discuss funding options, please reach out to your Financial Aid counselor for assistance.