GACE Elementary Education (501) Exam Exam Guide
At a glance
- Questions
- 150
- Time limit
- 4h
- Passing score
- 220 scaled score
- Exam fee
- $193
- Governing body
- Georgia Professional Standards Commission
The GACE Elementary Education exam is the content assessment aspiring elementary teachers in Georgia must pass to earn certification. It's taken by candidates completing an educator preparation program or seeking an alternative path into an elementary classroom, and it's administered under the Georgia Professional Standards Commission's GACE program.
Overview
The test combines Test I and Test II into a single content assessment covering Reading and Language Arts, Social Studies, and an Analysis area built entirely from constructed-response questions.
- Reading and Language Arts — the largest content area, tested with selected-response questions
- Social Studies — tested with selected-response questions
- Analysis — constructed-response only; this is where you write extended responses rather than pick an answer
There's no separate signs-style section to register for independently — the constructed-response questions are folded directly into the combined test rather than administered on their own.
Cost and registration
The combined Test I and Test II content assessment costs $193. Check the official GACE registration bulletin for the current fee schedule and any optional fees, such as late registration or score reporting, before you register.
Exam format
The combined test includes 150 selected-response questions and 2 constructed-response questions, with 240 minutes (4 hours) of testing time on a computer-delivered format. A scaled score of 220 passes at the induction level, while 250 is needed to meet the professional-level standard, on a 100-300 scale.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the GACE Elementary Education exam?
The combined Test I and Test II content assessment includes 150 selected-response questions and 2 constructed-response questions.
What is the passing score for GACE Elementary Education?
A scaled score of 220 passes at the induction level, while 250 is required to meet the professional-level standard; scores are reported on a 100-300 scale.
What is the test fee for GACE Elementary Education?
The combined Test I and Test II content assessment costs $193. Confirm the current fee schedule on the official GACE registration bulletin before you register, since fees can change.
How much time do I have to complete the GACE Elementary Education test?
You get 240 minutes, or 4 hours, of testing time for the combined Test I and Test II assessment.
How is the GACE Elementary Education test delivered?
It's a computer-delivered test taken at an authorized testing center rather than a paper-and-pencil exam.
How soon can I retake the test if I don't pass?
You must wait 30 days from your test date before retaking the same GACE test.
Sources
- 1.GACE Study Companion: Elementary Education Assessment — Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) — GACE program administered under contract by ETS (transitioning to Evaluation Systems, Pearson, effective July 1, 2025) (accessed Aug 9, 2026)
- 2.Understanding Your GACE Scores (January 2024) — Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) — GACE program administered under contract by ETS (transitioning to Evaluation Systems, Pearson, effective July 1, 2025) (accessed Aug 9, 2026)
- 3.GACE 2024-25 Registration Bulletin — Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) — GACE program administered under contract by ETS (transitioning to Evaluation Systems, Pearson, effective July 1, 2025) (accessed Aug 9, 2026)
Official sources
Every exam fact on this page traces to a primary document published by the body that administers the exam.
- GACE Study Companion: Elementary Education AssessmentGeorgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) — GACE program administered under contract by ETS (transitioning to Evaluation Systems, Pearson, effective July 1, 2025)gace.ets.org
- GACE 2024-25 Registration BulletinGeorgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) — GACE program administered under contract by ETS (transitioning to Evaluation Systems, Pearson, effective July 1, 2025)gace.ets.org
- Understanding Your GACE Scores (January 2024)Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) — GACE program administered under contract by ETS (transitioning to Evaluation Systems, Pearson, effective July 1, 2025)gace.ets.org
Last verified against the official exam content outline: