GACE Political Science

The Political Science assessment, offered as part of the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators, is divided into two tests.

The first 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 first test are political science concepts, political science skills, foundations of U.S. government, and the U.S. federal government. The topics covered by the political science concepts and skills subarea are: the important political science concepts, terms, and perspectives; and the social science skills required when dealing with information related to political science topics. The topics covered by the foundations of U.S. government subarea are: the political philosophies that have influenced the development of United States constitutional government; and the system of government created by the U.S. Constitution. The topics covered by the U.S. federal government subarea are: the organization, powers, and operation of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

The second test consists of 60 selected-response questions (80% of the test score) and 2 constructed-response questions (20% of the test score). The content areas covered by the second test are: state and local government; citizenship and democracy; comparative government and international relations. The topics covered by the state and local government subarea are: the Georgia state constitution; state and local government in Georgia; and the applications of the federal system in Georgia. The topics covered by the citizenship and democracy subarea are: the rights and responsibilities of American citizenship and the operation of the criminal justice process; and political parties, and the American election process. The topics covered by the comparative government and international relations subarea are: historical and contemporary forms of government; international relations; and the formation and execution of American foreign policy.

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.

GACE Political Science Practice Questions

1. How many electors does each state receive in the Electoral College?

A: The state's number of senators
B: A number proportionate to the population of the state
C: The state's number of senators and representatives in Congress
D: Every state receives ten

2. Who is the most important member of the House of Representatives?

A: the Speaker of the House
B: the House whip
C: the Minority leader
D: the vice-president

3. Who appoints the members of the Supreme Court?

A: Senate
B: President
C: Chief Justice
D: House of Representatives

4. According to the Constitution, who has the power to levy taxes and spend the money of the government?

A: Congress
B: President
C: Senate
D: House of Representatives

5. How long is the term of a United States Senator?

A: Two years
B: Four years
C: Five years
D: Six years

Answer Key

1. C. Each state gets a number of electors equal to its senators and representatives in Congress (the District of Columbia has no representation but receives 3 electors).
2. A. The Speaker of the House is the leader of the majority party, and has a great deal of influence over the agenda of the House. In the event of a tie vote, the vice-president casts the deciding vote.
3. B. The President appoints the justices, who must then be approved by Congress.
4. D. The authors of the Constitution believed that the House would be the closest approximation of the people's will.
5. D. Every two years, one-third of senate seats are up for election.