Frequently Asked Questions About the GACE^® Paraprofessional Assessment

The GACE^® Paraprofessional assessment is for prospective and practicing paraprofessionals. It measures skills and knowledge in reading, math, and writing and the ability to apply those skills and knowledge to assist in classroom instruction.

The 2½-hour assessment consists of 90 selected-response questions in reading, writing, and math. Approximately two-thirds of the questions focus on basic skills and knowledge and the remaining one-third focuses on applying those skills and knowledge in a classroom setting.

The assessment is in English.

The Paraprofessional assessment is given in a computer-delivered format.

• Test Center appointments: The fee is $38 and is nonrefundable. Some test centers may charge an additional fee over the $38 test fee.
• Prometric^® Test Center and At Home appointments: The fee is $68 and the reschedule fee is $34.

The test is given by appointment at Prometric test centers, at home via remote proctor, or at other participating test centers.

This test is given in Prometric test centers, at home via remote proctor, and at participating school districts and Regional Education Service Agencies (RESAs). Visit the Prometric website or contact your district's administrative office or RESA for availability in your area.

You must contact Prometric or your school district, or Regional Education Service Agency (RESA), administrative office to find out when the GACE Paraprofessional assessment is being offered in your area.

ETS has developed a Study Companion and an interactive practice test for test takers to help them prepare for the assessment. Other useful tips are also available.

If you test at a Prometric test center or at home, your unofficial score will be emailed to you within one hour after taking the test. If you test at a school district, or Regional Education Service Agency (RESA), you can view and print your unofficial score at the end of the test.

If you test at a Prometric test center or at home, your unofficial score will be emailed to you within one hour after taking the test. If you test at a school district, Regional Education Service Agency (RESA), or other participating agency, you can view and print your unofficial scores at the end of the test.

Official score reports are mailed approximately one week after the test date. Scores are also reported to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC).

Your official score report provides your passing status.

Official score reports are mailed approximately one week after the test date. During that one-week period, ETS rescores all Paraprofessional Assessments as part of quality-control procedures. If there's a change in your score as a result of this quality-control check, ETS reports the new score (which may be higher or lower) to you and the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC).

All Georgia Paraprofessionals must hold a valid state license issued by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC). Georgia educators who hold a valid professional certificate may serve as Paraprofessionals without holding a specific Paraprofessional license.

You must be employed as a Paraprofessional in a Georgia local unit of administration (LUA) in order to qualify for a Paraprofessional license, which is valid for five years. In addition to employment, you must meet one of the following qualifications:

• Hold an associate's degree or higher in any subject from a GaPSC-accepted accredited institution;
• Have completed 2 years (60 semester hours) of college coursework above the remedial level at a GaPSC-accepted accredited institution with a grade of "C" or better;
• Hold a minimum of a high school diploma or GED equivalent and have passed the GACE Paraprofessional assessment.

If you are interested in obtaining a Paraprofessional license, you must first seek employment with a Georgia school, which will require a criminal record check. Your certification application package will be submitted by your employer.