GACE: Middle Grades Social Science

The Middle Grades Social Science assessment, offered as part of the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators, is composed of one test. The test consists of 60 selected-response questions (80% of the test score) and 2 constructed-response assignments (20% of the test score). The content areas covered by the test are U.S. history, world regions, Georgia studies, and social science skills. The topics covered by the U.S. history subarea are: Native American cultures; the European settlement of North America; the American Revolution and the development of the U.S. Constitution; the growth and development of the United States from 1800 through the Civil War; transformation of society from Reconstruction through the 1920s; the Great Depression and the American involvement in World War II; the Cold War; and the political, economic, and cultural developments in the United States from 1945 to the present. The topics covered by the world regions subarea are: the major historical, social, political, and economic developments in Latin America, Canada, Europe since the Renaissance, sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, the Middle East, southern and eastern Asia, Australia, and Oceania; and the geographic factors that have influenced these regions. The topics covered by the Georgia studies and social science skills subarea are: the major developments in Georgia history and Georgia's role in the history of the United States; the Georgia state constitution, the structure of the Georgia state government, and the influence of citizens and local governments; social science resources, tools, and research procedures; and the interpretation and analysis of information related to social science.

The examination must be completed within four hours. The total test score is placed on a scale of 100 to 300, with 220 as the lowest passing score. Scores are based on the number of selected-response questions answered correctly and the scores assigned by judges to the constructed responses. Test-takers will also receive performance indices indicating their success in each subarea of the examination. Scores will be available approximately a month after the date of the examination; unofficial results are posted on the internet, and an official score report is mailed to the test-taker, the Professional Standards Commission, and the institution specified by the test-taker during registration.

Practice Questions

1. According to the law of supply, what will happen when the price of a product goes up?

A: the supply will go up
B: the supply will go down
C: the demand will go up
D: the demand will go down

2. In emergencies, state governments sometimes will ask the federal government for assistance. What principle of the American system of governance does this illustrate?

A: constructionism
B: public assistance
C: constitutionalism
D: federalism

3. Which of the following is NOT an example of propaganda?

A: editorial
B: public service announcement
C: advertisement
D: article abstract

4. A bill is introduced in the Senate. After it has been debated on the floor and approved by a majority, what happens next?

A: the bill is sent to a conference committee
B: the bill is introduced in the House of Representatives
C: the bill is studied by Senate committees
D: the bill is sent to the president

5. The Constitution declares that the president should make sure that "the laws be faithfully executed." Which instrument of power stems from this declaration?

A: impoundment
B: executive agreement
C: executive order
D: patronage

Answer Key

1. A. The law of supply asserts that price and supply are directly proportional.
2. D. Federalism is the division of power between the federal, state, and local governments.
3. D. Any message that seeks to change opinion or behavior is considered propaganda.
4. B. Bills that originate in one branch of Congress must be introduced and approved by the other before they can be sent to the president.
5. C. In an executive order, the president will describe in detail the way that a new law should be interpreted.