GACE® Chemistry (6–12) (712)
Practice Test
You'll prepare for four testlets — 214 Atomic Structures and Properties (20 questions, 45 min), 215 Multi-Atomic Structures and Properties (30 questions, 60 min), 216 Chemical Reactions (30 questions, 60 min), and 217 Energy Changes (20 questions, 45 min). Combined: 100 questions, 3 hours 30 minutes, $169.00. Each testlet costs $42.50 individually. You need a cumulative score of 220 or higher, and you must also meet the floor score for each individual testlet. Administered by Evaluation Systems of Pearson for GaPSC.
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Get Free Access →See Premium PlansYou need a cumulative score of 220 or higher, and you must also meet the floor score for each individual testlet. Scoring well on three testlets doesn’t offset falling below the floor on the fourth — both conditions have to be met. Reference materials are provided on-screen for every testlet: a scientific calculator, a periodic table, and a Chemistry (6–12) Constants and Formulas sheet.
Budget extra time beyond the testing minutes themselves. Add 15 minutes per testing session for a tutorial and to complete a nondisclosure agreement. If you take all four testlets in one appointment, you’ll also get a 15-minute break after finishing the first two testlets.
GACE Chemistry (6–12) (712): Test at a Glance
Here’s a quick overview of the exam. Testlets 215 and 216 are the largest, each with 30 questions and a 60-minute time limit. Testlets 214 and 217 each have 20 questions and a 45-minute time limit.
About the GACE Chemistry (6–12) (712)
Here’s what you need to know before you register.
The GACE Chemistry (6–12) exam is for individuals seeking admission to an educator preparation program, initial certification in Georgia, or qualification to teach chemistry in Georgia secondary schools. It is administered through Evaluation Systems of Pearson on behalf of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC).
The exam is made up of four testlets, which you can take together in one session or separately. Testlets 215 (Multi-Atomic Structures and Properties) and 216 (Chemical Reactions) are the largest, each with 30 questions and a 60-minute time limit. Testlets 214 (Atomic Structures and Properties) and 217 (Energy Changes) are shorter, each with 20 questions and a 45-minute time limit. Combined, all four testlets total 100 questions in 3 hours and 30 minutes. All four testlets cost the same — $42.50 individually or $169.00 combined.
Plan for extra time beyond the testing minutes themselves: add 15 minutes per testing session for a tutorial and to complete a nondisclosure agreement. If you take all four testlets in one appointment, you’ll get a 15-minute break after finishing the first two testlets.
The exam is delivered entirely by computer in a selected-response (multiple-choice) format. You’ll have on-screen reference materials available for every testlet: a scientific calculator, a periodic table, and a Chemistry (6–12) Constants and Formulas sheet. You don’t need to memorize constants or formulas — you need to know how and when to apply them.
To pass, you need a cumulative score of 220 or higher, and you must also meet the floor — the minimum required score — for each individual testlet. Scoring well above 220 on three testlets doesn’t make up for falling below the floor on the fourth. To register, create a GaPSC MyPSC account at mypsc.gapsc.org, then create an Evaluation Systems GACE testing account at gace.es.pearson.com.
Four Testlets at a Glance
Testlets 215 and 216 are the largest at 30 questions and 60 minutes each. Testlets 214 and 217 are shorter at 20 questions and 45 minutes each. All four cost $42.50 individually.
GACE Chemistry (6–12) (712) Exam Outline
Below you’ll find the content areas covered in each testlet, along with the confirmed question count and time limit for each.
- Fundamentals of atomic structure and subatomic particles
- Properties and structure of elements, including periodic trends
- Formation and nomenclature of chemical compounds
- Properties and separation of mixtures
- Molecular geometry and bonding theories, including valence bond theory, molecular orbital theory, and VSEPR models
- Intermolecular forces and their effects on physical properties
- Structure and properties of ionic, covalent, and metallic substances
- The relationship between molecular structure and chemical reactivity
- Types of chemical reactions, including synthesis, decomposition, single replacement, double replacement, and combustion
- Stoichiometry, limiting reactants, and percent yield
- Factors affecting reaction rates
- Chemical equilibrium and Le Chatelier’s principle
- Energy changes in reactions, including exothermic and endothermic processes
- The laws of thermodynamics
- Enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy
- Calorimetry and heat transfer
- The relationship between energy changes and chemical reactions
High-Priority Topics by Testlet
Use this section to focus your study time. These topics are drawn from the official GACE 712 content objectives.
Registration, Test Day & Scoring
Here’s what to expect when you register, show up on test day, and receive your scores.
Registration & Fees
Scoring
Test Day
On-Screen Reference Materials
Who Needs the GACE Chemistry (6–12) (712)?
Find out if this is the right exam for your teaching goals.
How to register: Start by creating a GaPSC MyPSC account at mypsc.gapsc.org to get your Georgia certification number. After your eligibility is confirmed, create an Evaluation Systems GACE testing account at gace.es.pearson.com/test/712 and register for your testlets. You can take all four testlets together in one appointment or separately in any combination. Always verify current certification requirements at gapsc.com.
How to Prepare for the GACE Chemistry (6–12) (712)
Here are some tips to help you get ready for each testlet.
- Testlets 215 and 216 are your largest testlets at 30 questions and 60 minutes each — prioritize your study time accordingly. Together they make up 60 of the 100 total questions on the exam, so a strong showing on molecular structure, bonding, and chemical reactions carries more weight toward your cumulative score than any other pair of testlets.
- Because you must meet the floor on every testlet, don’t neglect Testlets 214 and 217 just because they’re shorter. At 20 questions and 45 minutes each, these testlets carry fewer points, but falling below the floor on either one means you don’t pass — regardless of how well you scored elsewhere.
- Get comfortable with the on-screen scientific calculator, periodic table, and Constants and Formulas sheet before test day. You won’t need to memorize constants like the gas constant or Avogadro’s number, but you do need to know which formula applies to which type of question so you’re not searching the reference sheet under time pressure.
- For Testlet 216 (Chemical Reactions), stoichiometry calculations are your highest-value practice area. Work through mole conversions, limiting reactant problems, and percent yield calculations until they feel automatic, since this is the largest testlet on the exam.
- Plan your appointment around the built-in break. If you take all four testlets together, you’ll get a 15-minute break after finishing the first two. Use it deliberately — step away from the screen, and mentally reset before Testlet 216 and 217.
- Use the Georgia Standards of Excellence for Science as your primary content reference. The Georgia GSE for Science tells you what depth of chemistry content is expected at the secondary level, and it’s the standard the GACE Chemistry exam is built around.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about the GACE Chemistry exam? Here are answers to the most common ones.
Ready to Start Practicing?
Practice questions covering all four testlets — Atomic Structures and Properties (214), Multi-Atomic Structures and Properties (215), Chemical Reactions (216), and Energy Changes (217) — aligned to the official GACE 712 blueprint. Detailed answer explanations so you understand not just the right answer, but why it’s right.
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