Creative writing in the GAT?

[ktrah]

Should the first writing piece be purely informative, or is it okay to be creative?

[pi]

Should the first writing piece be purely informative, or is it okay to be creative?

Anecdotally, I wrote an episode of Coxy's Big Break (I've only watched it once and I liked the name) and I got like 26 scaled

[charmanderp]

I wrote a hybrid David Attenborough kind of creative/expository piece and got a 50 scaled? It was simultaneously a massive piss take though, I had numerous fictional references to werewolves. As long as you present the information they give you logically and fluently, they'll mark you kindly.

[meganrobyn]

I've marked the GAT before and I'd argue it's probably slightly easier to do a good job with a creative on the first one, because something that really slams your mark down is transcribing the material (ie copying it word for word). Most people find it hard to break away from transcribing with a straight expository - at the very least they do one paragraph per box on the page, which shows lack of processing.

[charmanderp]

Just curious, what is the actual criteria of the first essay? Isn't it, at the core, to interpret and express all the information you're given in order to inform your reader? And I'd assume you'd have to give a holistic depiction of it all.

[meganrobyn]

Just curious, what is the actual criteria of the first essay? Isn't it, at the core, to interpret and express all the information you're given in order to inform your reader? And I'd assume you'd have to give a holistic depiction of it all.

Really close - but change the word 'interpret' to explain. You want to *use* the information in a clear explanation of it, but you shouldn't worry about giving it significance or meaning. That's going off-track.

Basically, explain the information showing processing rather than transcribing. That's why a semi-creative can help, because it gives you a context to frame and organise it.

[LOLs99]

What 2 essays are you meant to write in GAT?Is it your choice or they gave you something

[pi]

What 2 essays are you meant to write in GAT?Is it your choice or they gave you something

Have a look at the format yourself:
http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/exams/gat/gat.html

[zvezda]

hey guys,
i just sat a practice GAT at my school and nobody was really taking it seriously. Teachers got really annoyed and at the end were given this speech on how important the GAT is and how universities take it into account for selection. Im not sure if the teachers are just trying to scare us or something into making us take the GAT seriously, because generally nobody really does.
i know that the GAT is used for obtaining a derived score for a subject but is it really true that universities take it into account for selection? is there anything else that the GAT is really for?
thanks in advance

[pi]

Well teachers told us that MHS English SACs get scaled up so much because we as a cohort do exceptionally in the GAT, so it matters. Also, if you're ill, you'll hope your GAT is as good as possible.

[zvezda]

I see. Thanks for that. So universities don't take the GAT into account then?

[MJRomeo81]

The GAT doesn't mean a damn thing unless:
     
    a) You miss an exam
    b) You barely got the required ATAR for your course

Seriously don't worry about the GAT. Don't walk out early and try your best on the day. As long as you get an average score (which isn't hard at all considering everyone in the state sits it) the GAT won't play a part in your results. Spend more time studying for your mid year exams (the exams that actually count).

Well teachers told us that MHS English SACs get scaled up so much because we as a cohort do exceptionally in the GAT, so it matters. Also, if you're ill, you'll hope your GAT is as good as possible.

I'd have to disagree and instead argue the scaling is due to MHS's exceptional EXAM performances.

[zvezda]

Yeah the teachers did say something about barely getting the ATAR needed for a course. Fair enough then. Cheers MJ

[pi]

I see. Thanks for that. So universities don't take the GAT into account then?

Apparently Monash uses it for middle-band applicants.

Well teachers told us that MHS English SACs get scaled up so much because we as a cohort do exceptionally in the GAT, so it matters. Also, if you're ill, you'll hope your GAT is as good as possible.

I'd have to disagree and instead argue the scaling is due to MHS's exceptional EXAM performances.

Haha yeah maybe, just our teachers told (or maybe lied) us otherwise

[Starlight]

Also, if you're ill, you'll hope your GAT is as good as possible.

I was thinking to myself 'please don't be ill! please don't be ill!' for all of last year for that reason