Scoring Policies

Test Question Inquiries

If you think there is an error in a test question that affected your response, tell the test administrator as soon as you finish the test.

You may also send a letter with an explanation of your inquiry or concern to the address below postmarked within two days of your test date.

ETS – GACE^® Program
Test Question Inquiries
P.O. Box 6667
Princeton, NJ 08541-6667

In your letter, state the name and address of the center, the test date and name of the test, the question number and content of the question, and the section in which it appeared.

Test Center Comments

If you have comments about the test center where you tested or the conditions under which you took a test, please submit them to ETS in writing by mail, email, or fax. Please provide all pertinent details and include the name and address of the test center, and the test date. Comments must be submitted or postmarked no later than two days after the date of your test.

Mail:

ETS – GACE Program
Computer-delivered Testing Comments
P.O. Box 6051
Princeton, NJ 08541-6051

Fax:

1-609-530-0581

Email:

gacetesting@ets.org

Cancellation of Scores by ETS and the GaPSC

ETS strives to report scores that accurately reflect the performance of every test taker. Accordingly, ETS's standards and procedures for administering tests have two primary goals: giving test takers equivalent opportunities to demonstrate their abilities and preventing any test takers from gaining an unfair advantage over others.

To promote these objectives, ETS and the GaPSC reserve the right to cancel any test score when, in ETS or the GaPSC’s judgment, a testing irregularity occurs; there is an apparent discrepancy in a test-taker's identification; the test taker engages in misconduct or plagiarism, copying, or communication occurs or the score is invalid for another reason (including, but not limited to, a violation of the rules set forth in the current Registration Bulletin, including the Rules of Test Participation, and the procedures communicated to you orally or in writing at the test center). In addition, if ETS or the GaPSC has information that they consider sufficient to indicate that a test taker has engaged in any activity that affects score validity, such as having someone other than the examinee take the test, obtaining test questions or answers via the internet, email, SMS^®, text messaging or postings, disclosing any test question or answer in chat rooms, message boards or forums, SMS, or text message, it will result in score cancelation and/or any other action ETS deems appropriate, including banning from future tests and prosecution to the full extent of the law. You must agree to these terms and conditions when you register for the test and on test day.

When, for any of the above reasons, ETS cancels a test score that has already been reported, it notifies score recipients that the score has been canceled.

Further action may be taken, including denying, revoking, and/or suspending a teaching credential or certificate. Other actions, as described in Dismissal from a Test Center may be taken as deemed appropriate by the GaPSC and/or ETS.

Testing Irregularities

"Testing irregularities" refers to problems with the administration of a test. Testing irregularities may result from actions of test takers, test center administrators, or ETS, or natural or man-made causes. When testing irregularities occur, they may affect an individual or group of test takers. Such problems include, without limitation:

• administrative errors (such as improper timing, improper seating, defective materials [e.g., improper test forms], and defective equipment)
• improper access to test content
• other disruptions of test administrations (such as natural disasters and other emergencies)

When testing irregularities occur, ETS may decline to score the test or may cancel the test score at the GaPSC's discretion. When it is appropriate in the GaPSC's sole judgment to do so, test takers will be given the opportunity to take the test again as soon as reasonably possible without charge.

Identification Discrepancies

When, in ETS's judgment or the judgment of test center administrators or at-home proctors, there is a discrepancy in a test taker's identification, the test taker's test may be terminated and the test taker may be dismissed from testing. In addition, ETS may decline to score that test or may hold or cancel the test scores if the photos and documents or other biometric samples from test day cannot be validated, or if ETS has evidence that the test taker did not appear for the test. If test scores are canceled by ETS, the test fees will NOT be refunded. ETS may also ban the test taker from taking any future ETS tests, and notify score recipients of the cancellation if fraudulent activity is detected after scores have been reported. If scores are canceled, test fees are forfeited.

Misconduct

When ETS or a test administrator finds that there is misconduct in connection with a test, the test taker may be dismissed from the test center and/or ETS may decline to score the test or withhold and ultimately cancel the test score. If scores are canceled, test fees are forfeited. Misconduct includes, but is not limited to, noncompliance with Test Center Procedures and Regulations.

Plagiarism

ETS reserves the right to cancel the scores of test takers when, in its judgment, there is evidence that a writing or speaking response includes, for example, text that is substantially similar to speech found in other GACE responses, or quotations or paraphrasing of language or ideas from published or unpublished sources used without attribution. Such responses do not reflect the independent speaking or compositional writing skills that the tests seek to measure.

Invalid Scores

ETS may also cancel scores if, in its judgment, there is substantial evidence that they are invalid for any other reason. Substantial evidence means evidence that is sufficient to persuade a reasonable person. The substantial evidence standard is lower (i.e., requires less proof) than a reasonable doubt, clear and convincing, and preponderance of the evidence standards. Evidence of invalid scores may include, without limitation, discrepant handwriting, unusual answer patterns and inconsistent performance on different parts of the test. Score cancellation decisions are not subject to appeal to ETS. For test takers within the United States, before canceling scores based on substantial evidence of invalidity, ETS notifies the test taker in writing about its concerns, gives the test taker an opportunity to submit information that addresses ETS's concerns, considers any such information submitted, and may offer the test taker a choice of options. The options may include voluntary score cancellation, a free retest, or allowing the GaPSC to make a decision whether to accept the scores. The final decision whether to cancel scores based on substantial evidence of invalidity is made by ETS's Office of Testing Integrity after reviewing any information addressing ETS's concerns submitted by the test taker. Note: These options are not offered for GACE performance and portfolio assessments (i.e., American Sign Language Proficiency Interview and Teacher Leadership). ETS will provide information on the review process for these assessments to assist you in resolving questions regarding the validity of your assessment.

See also:

• Confidentiality of Information