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GACECode: 344GACE®Code: 344Georgia GaPSC6 Assignments · 5h TotalCertificate Upgrade Assessment100% Constructed-Response

GACE® Curriculum and Instruction (344)
Practice Test

You'll sit for a single computer-based appointment made up entirely of 6 constructed-response assignments — no selected-response questions at all. The extended-response section (3 assignments, objectives 0004–0006) comes first and takes 3 hours. After a scheduled 15-minute break you cannot return from, the focused-response section (3 assignments, objectives 0001–0003) comes second and takes 1 hour 30 minutes. Total appointment time is 5 hours. The fee is $263.00 for the complete assessment. You need a scaled score of 250 or higher, plus a scorable response to each assignment. No calculator or reference sheet is provided. Administered by Evaluation Systems of Pearson for GaPSC.

6
Questions
4h 30m
Time limit
250
Pass score
4
Domains
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GACE Curriculum and Instruction (344): Test at a Glance

Here’s a quick overview of the exam. It’s entirely constructed-response, split into two sections that run in a specific, non-obvious order.

Assessment code
344
Curriculum and Instruction
Total assignments
6
All constructed-response
Total appointment time
5h
Includes break + tutorial/NDA
Passing score
250
Plus scorable responses
Fee
$263
Single, complete assessment
Test dates
2-week windows
Not year-round
Section 1 — Tested First
Extended-Response
Objectives 0004–0006 · 3 hrs
Section 2 — Tested Second
Focused-Response
Objectives 0001–0003 · 1.5 hrs

About the GACE Curriculum and Instruction (344)

Here’s what you need to know before you register.

The GACE Curriculum and Instruction exam is a Certificate Upgrade assessment, distinct from initial teacher certification or educational leadership certification exams. It’s typically taken by already-certified Georgia educators seeking to add an advanced curriculum and instruction credential to their certificate. It is administered through Evaluation Systems of Pearson on behalf of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC).

This exam is made up entirely of 6 constructed-response assignments — there are no selected-response questions at all. The exam runs in two sections, and the order is easy to get wrong if you assume it follows the objective numbers. The extended-response section (objectives 0004–0006) comes first and takes 3 hours for its 3 assignments — roughly an hour each. After a scheduled 15-minute break you cannot return from, the focused-response section (objectives 0001–0003) comes second and takes 1 hour and 30 minutes for its 3 assignments — roughly 30 minutes each. Total appointment time is 5 hours, including time for a tutorial and nondisclosure agreement.

The complete assessment costs $263.00, with an additional $50 fee at international testing sites. This assessment is only available during designated two-week testing windows, not on a year-round rolling basis. No reference materials are provided.

To pass, you need a scaled score of 250 or higher — notably higher than the 220 passing score used on most GACE content-area teaching assessments — and you must also submit a scorable response to each of the 6 assignments. An off-topic, blank, or otherwise unscorable response on any single assignment can prevent you from passing even if your overall scaled score would otherwise clear 250. To register, create a GaPSC MyPSC account at mypsc.gapsc.org, then create an Evaluation Systems GACE testing account at gace.es.pearson.com.

Two Sections at a Glance

The extended-response section is tested first and gives you more time per assignment. The focused-response section is tested second and is more time-constrained per assignment.

Section 1 · Tested First
Extended-Response
Assignments3
Time3 hours (∼1 hr each)
Objectives0004–0006
Extended, in-depth written responses. Given the amount of time allotted per assignment, this section likely requires more complex, multi-part analysis, curriculum design, or program evaluation work than the focused-response section.
Section 2 · Tested Second
Focused-Response
Assignments3
Time1.5 hours (∼30 min each)
Objectives0001–0003
Shorter, more targeted written responses. Covers developmental and educational learning theories, applying research to curricular and instructional decision-making, and the role of the curriculum and instructional leader as a professional resource.

GACE Curriculum and Instruction (344) Exam Outline

Below you’ll find the structure and general content areas for each section, in the order they’re actually tested.

Section 1 · Tested First · Objectives 0004–0006
Extended-Response
There are 3 constructed-response assignments in this section, and you’ll be timed at 3 hours total — roughly an hour per assignment. This is the longest single block of writing time on the exam. Expect these assignments to require sustained, in-depth analysis rather than brief responses, likely involving realistic curriculum and instructional leadership scenarios that call for comprehensive written solutions.
  • Analyzing and responding to complex curriculum or instructional leadership scenarios
  • Designing or evaluating curriculum and instructional programs
  • Applying leadership judgment to multi-part problems involving curriculum implementation
3 tasks
3 hours
Objectives 0004–0006
Section 2 · Tested Second (after the one-way break) · Objectives 0001–0003
Focused-Response
There are 3 constructed-response assignments in this section, and you’ll be timed at 1 hour and 30 minutes total — roughly 30 minutes per assignment. These assignments test your knowledge and abilities regarding the following:
  • Major concepts and principles related to developmental and educational learning theories
  • Applying research to curricular and instructional decision-making
  • The role of the curriculum and instructional leader as a professional resource
3 tasks
1h 30m
Objectives 0001–0003

High-Priority Topics by Section

Use this section to focus your study time.

Section 1

Extended-Response — Top Topics

3 tasks · 3 hours · Tested first
Practice writing at length under time pressure. With roughly an hour per assignment, you need to plan, draft, and review substantial written responses efficiently — this is a distinct skill from writing shorter answers, so practice with genuinely timed, hour-long writing sessions before test day.
Complex, multi-part scenario analysis. Extended-response tasks likely present realistic, multi-faceted curriculum and instructional leadership situations. Practice breaking a complex scenario into its component issues before writing your response.
Curriculum design and evaluation frameworks. Be comfortable applying established curriculum design and program evaluation models to a novel scenario, since these tasks likely require you to apply frameworks rather than just describe them.
Pace yourself across all three assignments. Since this section comes first and takes 3 full hours, resist the temptation to over-invest in the first assignment at the expense of the other two — each contributes to your overall score.
Section 2

Focused-Response — Top Topics

3 tasks · 1h 30m · Tested second
Developmental and educational learning theories. Know the major theories of how students develop and learn, and be ready to apply them concisely to a curriculum or instructional scenario within a shorter response window.
Applying research to curricular decisions. Know how to justify a curricular or instructional decision by citing relevant research or evidence-based practice, rather than relying on general assertions.
The curriculum and instructional leader as a professional resource. Know how a curriculum and instructional leader supports teachers and colleagues as a knowledgeable resource, distinct from an evaluative or purely administrative role.
Writing concise, targeted responses. With only about 30 minutes per assignment, practice writing focused, well-organized responses that directly answer the prompt rather than attempting the depth appropriate for the extended-response section.

Registration, Test Day & Scoring

Here’s what to expect when you register, show up on test day, and receive your scores.

Registration & Fees

Step 2Submit testing eligibility request
Complete assessment$263.00
International site surcharge+$50.00

Scoring

Passing scaled score250 or higher
Constructed-response requirementScorable response to all 6
Question format100% constructed-response
After testingReceipt of completion provided

Test Day

Extended-response section3 hours — tested first
Scheduled break15 minutes — one-way
Focused-response section1h 30m — tested second
Total appointment5 hours

Scheduling & Reference Materials

Test datesDesignated 2-week windows only
Test sitesComputer-based, GA and nationwide
Calculator / formula sheetNot provided
Delivery formatComputer-delivered

Who Needs the GACE Curriculum and Instruction (344)?

Find out if this is the right exam for your career goals.

Certificate Upgrade Pathway: The GACE Curriculum and Instruction (344) falls under Georgia’s Certificate Upgrade Assessments category, alongside GACE Instructional Technology (345) and GACE Teacher Leadership (346). It’s typically pursued by educators who already hold Georgia certification and are seeking to add a curriculum and instruction credential — often to move into a curriculum specialist, instructional coach, or similar advanced role. Verify your specific eligibility and certification pathway with your school district or the GaPSC before registering, since Certificate Upgrade exams generally assume prior certification and classroom experience.

Plan around the testing windows and the exam length. This is a 5-hour appointment offered only during designated two-week windows. Treat your target window as a hard deadline for your preparation, and make sure you can realistically commit a full 5-hour block on test day — this isn’t an exam you can split across multiple shorter sessions.

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/344 and register for the next available testing window. Always verify current certification requirements at gapsc.com.

How to Prepare for the GACE Curriculum and Instruction (344)

Here are some tips to help you get ready for each section.

  • Internalize the correct section order before test day — extended-response first, focused-response second. Because this runs opposite to the objective numbering, review your preparation materials with the actual testing sequence in mind, not the numeric order the objectives are usually listed in.
  • Build your preparation timeline around your target testing window, and block out the full 5-hour appointment realistically. This is a long, cognitively demanding appointment made entirely of writing tasks — treat your practice sessions the same way, with full-length, timed writing practice rather than short, disconnected drills.
  • Practice extended, hour-long responses separately from shorter, 30-minute responses. These require different pacing strategies. Extended-response practice should focus on thorough, well-developed analysis; focused-response practice should focus on concise, directly-on-point answers.
  • Because the break is one-way, treat it as your final checkpoint for the entire extended-response section. Review all three of your extended-response assignments fully before taking your break — there’s no going back once you move into focused-response.
  • Never leave any of the 6 assignments blank or off-topic, even under time pressure. Because a scorable response is required for every single assignment regardless of your scaled score, a complete but imperfect response is always better than an unfinished one.
  • Use the GaPSC Leader Keys Effectiveness System (LKES) and current curriculum development research as your primary content references. Since this exam certifies advanced curriculum and instructional leadership, grounding your responses in established frameworks and citing relevant research will strengthen your extended-response answers specifically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about the GACE Curriculum and Instruction exam? Here are answers to the most common ones.

How many questions are on the GACE Curriculum and Instruction (344)?
There are 6 constructed-response assignments total, with no selected-response questions at all. Three extended-response assignments cover objectives 0004-0006 and take 3 hours. Three focused-response assignments cover objectives 0001-0003 and take 1 hour and 30 minutes. Total appointment time is 5 hours, including a scheduled break and time for a tutorial and nondisclosure agreement.
Which section of the GACE 344 comes first: extended-response or focused-response?
The extended-response section, covering objectives 0004-0006, comes first and takes 3 hours. After a scheduled 15-minute break, the focused-response section, covering objectives 0001-0003, comes second and takes 1 hour and 30 minutes. This order runs opposite to the objective numbering, so don’t assume objectives 0001-0003 are tested first.
Can I go back to the extended-response section after my break?
No. After the scheduled 15-minute break, you cannot return to the extended-response assignments. This transition is final, so make sure you’ve completed and reviewed all three extended-response assignments before taking your break.
What is the passing score for the GACE Curriculum and Instruction (344)?
You need a scaled score of 250 or higher, plus a scorable response to each of the 6 constructed-response assignments. An off-topic, blank, or otherwise unscorable response on any single assignment can prevent you from passing even if your overall scaled score would otherwise clear 250.
Who takes the GACE Curriculum and Instruction (344) exam?
The GACE Curriculum and Instruction (344) is a Certificate Upgrade assessment, distinct from initial teacher certification or educational leadership certification exams. It’s typically taken by already-certified Georgia educators seeking to add an advanced curriculum and instruction credential to their certificate.
How do I register for the GACE Curriculum and Instruction (344)?
To register, you’ll need your MyPSC account. If you don’t have one, create an account at mypsc.gapsc.org to receive your Georgia certification number. Once your eligibility is confirmed, create an Evaluation Systems GACE testing account at gace.es.pearson.com/test/344 and register for the next available testing window.

Ready to Start Practicing?

Practice prompts covering both sections — extended-response scenarios on curriculum and instructional leadership, and focused-response prompts on learning theory, research application, and the curriculum leader’s role — aligned to the official GACE 344 blueprint, with model responses and scoring guidance.

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Sources: GACE Curriculum and Instruction (344) official test page (Evaluation Systems of Pearson, 2025–26) — primary source; GACE Assessment Fee Schedule (official PDF) (Evaluation Systems of Pearson) — fee and assessment category verified; GaPSC — Georgia Professional Standards Commission; Georgia Leader Keys Effectiveness System (LKES). GACE® is a registered trademark of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. Evaluation Systems is a division of Pearson. Not affiliated with or endorsed by GaPSC, Pearson, or any state licensing agency. Always verify current requirements at gapsc.com.
Last Updated: September 21, 2026