ATAR Notes: Forum

VCE Stuff => Victorian Education Discussion => Topic started by: LOLs99 on April 22, 2012, 09:06:57 pm

Title: GAT?
Post by: LOLs99 on April 22, 2012, 09:06:57 pm
Hi,

I just found out today(thanks to Liz) that GAT has to be done twice for me because I'm doing 3/4 this year. I thought it's only for year 12.
So can anyone please tell me more about it?
And does it pull down my 3/4 raw score if I did not well. LIke decrease by how much?

 :)
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: Lasercookie on April 22, 2012, 09:13:41 pm
Anyone that does a 3/4 subject has to do the GAT.

No, the GAT is only taken into account if it increases your score, VCAA will not use it if it decreases it.

There's three sections to it, writing task 1, writing task 2 and multiple choice. The writing tasks don't have to be long, you're only expected to write for about half an hour on each, and then spend the remaining two hours on the multiple choice (which can all be answered using a bit of common sense/logical thinking).

Take a read of these if you want to know more about it:
http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/exams/gat/aboutgat.html
http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/exams/gat/relates.html

or alternative search 'GAT' on AN and read up on threads there (but it'd be easier/less likely to stumble across inaccurate info if you just to read those two above links).
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: pi on April 22, 2012, 09:15:12 pm
You'll do it in yr11 and yr12. Basically, its an aptitude test with two essays and a bunch of MC questions. It will NEVER make your score decrease, however, it may help in moderating your SACs and play a part if you miss an exam :)

Don't study for it.
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: LOLs99 on April 22, 2012, 09:24:40 pm
Anyone that does a 3/4 subject has to do the GAT.

No, the GAT is only taken into account if it increases your score, VCAA will not use it if it decreases it.

There's three sections to it, writing task 1, writing task 2 and multiple choice. The writing tasks don't have to be long, you're only expected to write for about half an hour on each, and then spend the remaining two hours on the multiple choice (which can all be answered using a bit of common sense/logical thinking).

Take a read of these if you want to know more about it:
http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/exams/gat/aboutgat.html
http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/exams/gat/relates.html

or alternative search 'GAT' on AN and read up on threads there (but it'd be easier/less likely to stumble across inaccurate info if you just to read those two above links).
So it can increase my study score but how? e.g. Biology 40- 42?
WHat is an acceptable score?

The writing task is writing about what?
and how long does it have to be for the essays?
You'll do it in yr11 and yr12. Basically, its an aptitude test with two essays and a bunch of MC questions. It will NEVER make your score decrease, however, it may help in moderating your SACs and play a part if you miss an exam :)

Don't study for it.

I read through some old threads and they said it is separated into science,humanities,eng section(writing).
So I have to do well in the science section only because atm Im doing bio?
I didn't do well as I didn't expect so can it bring up my sacs' scores?
If I can't study, what should I prepare?
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: Shenz0r on April 22, 2012, 09:32:09 pm
The GAT is useless unless you break your leg/get swine flu/experience the death of a family member/are in hospital.

If you are in one of those categories they'll use your GAT to derive a score for you, but if your GAT derived score turns out to be lower than your actual 3/4 score then they'll just use your 3/4 score. They'll only use your GAT derived score if it's higher.

I'm pretty sure the school SACs are still moderated by how well your cohort does in the 3/4 exam, not the GAT
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: LOLs99 on April 22, 2012, 09:38:33 pm
So it seriously doesn't affect my score even I do shit.
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: pi on April 22, 2012, 09:44:46 pm
So it seriously doesn't affect my score even I do shit.

Yep. I got like 26 for english or something (GAT), didn't reflect in my SS haha (thankfully!)
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: Shenz0r on April 22, 2012, 09:46:23 pm
It won't affect your score unless you get shot by the FBI and are in hospital and do really badly on your 3/4 exam.

So it seriously doesn't affect my score even I do shit.

Yep. I got like 26 for english or something (GAT), didn't reflect in my SS haha (thankfully!)

26? Is this even possible for someone from MHS? :O
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: LOLs99 on April 22, 2012, 09:52:14 pm
So it seriously doesn't affect my score even I do shit.

Yep. I got like 26 for english or something (GAT), didn't reflect in my SS haha (thankfully!)
Just wondering what did u get for your english?
26- a good score? What is the score for each section?
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: Genericname2365 on April 22, 2012, 09:57:09 pm
So it seriously doesn't affect my score even I do shit.

Yep. I got like 26 for english or something (GAT), didn't reflect in my SS haha (thankfully!)
26- a good score? What is the score for each section?
They're all standardised to a score out of 50, from memory.
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: pi on April 22, 2012, 09:57:58 pm
So it seriously doesn't affect my score even I do shit.

Yep. I got like 26 for english or something (GAT), didn't reflect in my SS haha (thankfully!)
26- a good score? What is the score for each section?
They're all standardised to a score out of 50, from memory.

Yeah, 26 is incredibly shit :P
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: Shenz0r on April 22, 2012, 09:59:07 pm
26 is the bottom 90% isn't it? LOL
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: Unknown_one on April 22, 2012, 10:00:32 pm
Well it was all pretty much bullshit for me.
I bullshitted my way through my english one got 46- I guess the examiner must have been like there's too much to read, and resigned to give me a pretty high 40.
Maths- i got high 30's reflected my methods mark, which is the only one i cared for, and for the history ended up getting like really low 20's, the legal stuff, but then again, I didn't give a shit about it...
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: pi on April 22, 2012, 10:03:47 pm
26 is the bottom 90% isn't it? LOL

nah, bottom 10% or something :P
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: Russ on April 22, 2012, 10:04:51 pm
Ignore everyone who says to walk out after 30 minutes or to treat it like a joke. Doing well can only help you, there's no reason not to give it your best shot
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: Shenz0r on April 22, 2012, 10:05:33 pm
26 is the bottom 90% isn't it? LOL

nah, bottom 10% or something :P

Oh yeah I meant to say that LOL

Well my friend got 49 last year bullshitting about wolves in Twilight...so...

However, don't try doing that in Year 12, because if you do end up getting hit by a car then you are actually screwed
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: yearningforsimplicity on April 22, 2012, 10:11:05 pm
I think the writing task was the only "enjoyable" part of the GAT - Multiple choice was so daunting! I managed a 42 for the writing component in year 12 but 39 in year 11 which is weird because in year 11 I actually tried so hard to produce a good piece of writing whereas in year 12 I just let my pen flow and came up with a really random piece of writing haha! :D I think the main thing they want from you is to just link all the info together in a really logical and coherent manner (and to write in an interesting form while you're at it) - Believe it or not, for last years werewolf GAT stimulus, I actually pretended to be a museum guide for a bunch of (presumably) werewolf and canine interested people haha and so I thought it was so much easier to sort of combine all the stimulus information by just telling the "visitors" certain facts and twisting the information in different ways just to avoid making it look like I was just regurgitating facts from the information given - I think this made things easier :) Don't stress too much for the GAT- it'll never pull your score down :) Just (try to) have a bit of fun with it :P
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: Nobby on April 22, 2012, 10:40:07 pm
Can you have a derived score of 50?
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: pi on April 22, 2012, 10:40:55 pm
Can you have a derived score of 50?

Unlikely
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: pubsquash on April 25, 2012, 11:54:49 am
I know there's two writing tasks for the GAT exam and that one is an argumentative piece, but what type of text is the other one? Is it just an informative essay or something?
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: pi on April 25, 2012, 11:56:31 am
Yeah, informative.
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: charmanderp on April 25, 2012, 01:21:41 pm
I got a perfect score for the written component last year, and I think that might have helped raise my Lit score. I was ranked number 1 in SACs but then choked on my exam, so it possibly boosted my study score.

So definitely try and do well.
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: Stick on April 25, 2012, 02:21:16 pm
My school is telling us to study for the GAT and we're even having a trial GAT exam...
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: Eddiee on April 25, 2012, 02:39:41 pm
I think my school is doing that as well, Stick.
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: golden on April 25, 2012, 02:50:52 pm
It doesn't do anything to your scores under normal circumstances. I got a much higher score in the science/maths component as compared to the written component of the GAT but my study scores were the other way round.
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: Starlight on April 25, 2012, 03:10:11 pm
The best part of the GAT is when you finish, everyone starts making groups on facebook highlighting some of the hilarious/weird questions that have appeared. 'A man delicately sucking a lemon' appeared on the 2011 GAT, anyone remember? :P
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: golden on April 25, 2012, 03:15:37 pm
The best part of the GAT is when you finish, everyone starts making groups on facebook highlighting some of the hilarious/weird questions that have appeared. 'A man delicately sucking a lemon' appeared on the 2011 GAT, anyone remember? :P

Yes, they seriously just do this so people rock up lol.

Last year it was also about including Charlie Sheen, previously it was Bear Grylls. Something like that.

I wonder what is next; the evolution of the GAT is one which can be easily observed.
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: nisha on April 25, 2012, 03:19:41 pm
GAT scores are also used if you die, and well, you cant attend the final exam.
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: pi on April 25, 2012, 03:21:26 pm
GAT scores are also used if you die, and well, you cant attend the final exam.

Because an ATAR will be soooooooo useful after one's dead... :P
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: nisha on April 25, 2012, 03:27:15 pm
GAT scores are also used if you die, and well, you cant attend the final exam.

Because an ATAR will be soooooooo useful after one's dead... :P

true, but VCAA cant just NOT give you an ATAR. :P
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: Lasercookie on April 25, 2012, 06:20:37 pm
GAT scores are also used if you die, and well, you cant attend the final exam.

Because an ATAR will be soooooooo useful after one's dead... :P

true, but VCAA cant just NOT give you an ATAR. :P
But if you die, and hence can't apply for a derived score for the exam, wouldn't you just be given N/A for the exam?

edit: perhaps a bit off-topic
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: Starlight on April 25, 2012, 10:34:15 pm
The best part of the GAT is when you finish, everyone starts making groups on facebook highlighting some of the hilarious/weird questions that have appeared. 'A man delicately sucking a lemon' appeared on the 2011 GAT, anyone remember? :P

Yes, they seriously just do this so people rock up lol.

Last year it was also about including Charlie Sheen, previously it was Bear Grylls. Something like that.

I wonder what is next; the evolution of the GAT is one which can be easily observed.

I thought it was Rebecca black that we were meant to include on the writing task, haha always say I would but never did :P
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: nangwo on April 29, 2012, 11:00:16 am
so what type of text does the first writing task have to be, an essay? narrative? etc.
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: InsaneMcFries on April 29, 2012, 12:27:49 pm
I think there is one persuasive and one discussing.
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: charmanderp on April 29, 2012, 02:52:19 pm
The first written task entails receiving a double page spread of information about a certain topic (last year it was wolves) and you have to, in any format (although preferably expository), relate all the information to an unseen reader (the examiner) in as much detail and as fluently and expressively as possible.

The second piece is an analytical piece where you write an essay using one or more given sentences as a prompt.
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: golden on April 29, 2012, 03:52:16 pm
You can look them up online if you want sample ones.
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: LOLs99 on May 03, 2012, 12:23:32 pm
My school is telling us to study for the GAT and we're even having a trial GAT exam...

How is that possible?
And is it definately true that it won't bring down any of your subjects even though u didnt do well?Because I heard some people saying it will afftect your study score if you dont do well in a particular area(related to the subjects you studied).
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: Genericname2365 on May 03, 2012, 08:29:16 pm
Our school had a trial GAT exam (just multi-choice) last year and it did help me get used to the overall layout and how it works (time etc.) That being said, I don't think I'll bother attending the trial this year :P
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: pi on May 03, 2012, 08:30:54 pm
lol the trial GAT, MHS does that too (although you may be MHS?), pretty troll :D
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: Bhootnike on May 03, 2012, 08:32:24 pm

Yes, they seriously just do this so people rock up lol.

Last year it was also about including Charlie Sheen, previously it was Bear Grylls. Something like that.

I wonder what is next; the evolution of the GAT is one which can be easily observed.


Include Bhootnike this year. just coz he's bloody brilliant.


and modest.  :P
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: Mr. Study on May 03, 2012, 08:39:16 pm
We had a trial GAT last year.

I actually found it to be pretty fun and I'm dead serious. (No sarcasm)
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: Genericname2365 on May 03, 2012, 08:56:29 pm
lol the trial GAT, MHS does that too (although you may be MHS?), pretty troll :D
Not quite...

We had a trial GAT last year.

I actually found it to be pretty fun and I'm dead serious. (No sarcasm)
Well it was definitely more fun than the actual thing... But I've just remembered the most beneficial thing about the trial GAT was it reminded me to double-check I've actually marked the corresponding letter for my answer, and not a different one by mistake. Which for some reason happened to me for at least 5 or 6 questions on the trial.  ::)

The best part of the GAT is when you finish, everyone starts making groups on facebook highlighting some of the hilarious/weird questions that have appeared. 'A man delicately sucking a lemon' appeared on the 2011 GAT, anyone remember? :P

Yes, they seriously just do this so people rock up lol.

Last year it was also about including Charlie Sheen, previously it was Bear Grylls. Something like that.

I wonder what is next; the evolution of the GAT is one which can be easily observed.
How many people on here do this? I'm tempted; I didn't do it last year, though.
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: charmanderp on May 03, 2012, 09:10:02 pm
Everyone does it. My whole second essay was about Rebecca Black, Justin Bieber and over-hyped teen idols in general. And anyone who didn't mention Bear Grylls and Twilight in the wolves essay clearly has no life :p I still got a perfect score (for written(, so they clearly just don't care. And I think they issued a statement prior saying that they wouldn't penalise students for offhand references.
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: Starlight on May 03, 2012, 11:15:53 pm
Well as long as they don't penalise it and you can incorporate it in a way that makes sense then I guess you can write about a celebritiy of whatever? I'd think most people would just be bluffing though
Title: Re: GAT?
Post by: LOLs99 on May 04, 2012, 05:53:46 pm
GAT seems so cool. Can't wait to sit for it!