The GAT essays - how should we approach them?

[werdna]

What's the key to doing the first writing task? It is an informative piece that cannot set forth an argument.. but is there any particular structure that is recommended for this task? Can it be an informative piece but in the form of not just an essay but also a speech for example?

And any strategies for doing the second writing task? What form should the writing take or is this flexible?

So I'm basically just wondering how people have approached these two tasks, thanks!

[Zafaraaaa]

From what I've heard, the first task can be any form, as long as it sounds informative (and not persuasive) It can definitely be a speech, just make sure it doesn't sound 'persuasive' or sounds like it's taking on a certain point of view. The first task can even take the form of an informative brochure on the issue (you can have subheadings in your first writing piece). Last year for the second writing task, I just did a persuasive speech, because in the second one, they want you to have some point of view. The second one could also be an editorial, a small debate, opinion piece, anything that shows you strongly agree or disagree with the issue =)

[werdna]

Thanks for the help! I'm not really used to writing informative pieces :S

[Charmz]

Isn't the theme this year Rebecca black?

[pi]

Isn't the theme this year Rebecca black?

And 'Charlie Sheen' apparently

[Slumdawg]

Year 11 - decided to take it seriously, didn't include any of that george clooney stuff. Got 31.

Year 12 - decided to take the piss cos I knew I'd do shit anyway, put in about 3 different in jokes as a dare. Got 45.

My tip, don't worry about it at all because you'll probably end up writing a more fluid piece if you're not pressured about doing well on it.

[Charmz]

Too bad the GAT's not on a Friday.

[taiga]

My mate didn't even answer the humanities paper and still got a scaled score of 12 in the GAT

[werdna]

Is it true that the GAT can really only benefit you? As in exam scores can either go up or stay the same, and not go down?

Is this the case with internal SACs as well?

[REBORN]

GAT can never lower you - tis true. Unsure about SACs.

[luken93]

Yeah, I'm planning on doing a Slumdawg. Can't believe I tried last year, may as well give the assessors something to laugh about

[mickeymouse]

have fun in the GAT essay no one really takes it seriously

[taiga]

Is it true that the GAT can really only benefit you? As in exam scores can either go up or stay the same, and not go down?

Is this the case with internal SACs as well?

Yeah your gat can only bring you up.

But if you look at the flipside, if you don't benefit as much as you could have from it, I'd still see it as a loss.

Also if a cohort performs well on the GAT, their sac marks have a slight chance of being moderated a bit nicer

[luken93]

The worst thing is, the GAT is synonymously known now as a joke by almost everyone, so it's pretty much a waste of time to really prove anything.

Moreover, it doesn't test your ability to study hard. BM is hardly a subject that requires raw skill and talent, it takes hours to sit down and learn definitions, do practice exams, and perfect your answers. Hence why I got 47 in BM, yet 31 in Humanities...

[Charmz]

I might take it seriously next year if I do shit. I'll have more knowledge next year anyway.