GACE® English to Speakers of Other Languages (P–12) (727)
Practice Test
You'll prepare for three testlets — 318 Foundations of Language and Language Acquisition (20 questions, 30 min, $56.50), 319 Foundations of ESOL Instruction (40 questions, 60 min, $56.50), and 320 Instruction and Assessment of English Language Learners (40 questions, 60 min, $56.50). Combined: 100 questions, 2 hours 30 minutes, $169.00. You need a cumulative score of 220 or higher, and you must also meet the floor score for each individual testlet. No calculator or reference sheet is provided. Administered by Evaluation Systems of Pearson for GaPSC.
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Get Free Access →See Premium PlansGACE ESOL (P–12) (727): Test at a Glance
Here’s a quick overview of the exam. Testlet 318 is the shortest at 20 questions. Testlets 319 and 320 each have 40 questions.
About the GACE ESOL (P–12) (727)
Here’s what you need to know before you register.
The GACE English to Speakers of Other Languages (P–12) exam is for individuals seeking admission to an educator preparation program, initial certification in Georgia, or qualification to teach English learners from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in Georgia public schools. It is administered through Evaluation Systems of Pearson on behalf of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC).
The exam is made up of three testlets, which you can take together in one session or separately. Testlet 318 (Foundations of Language and Language Acquisition) is your shortest, with 20 questions and a 30-minute time limit. Testlets 319 (Foundations of ESOL Instruction) and 320 (Instruction and Assessment of English Language Learners) are equal and larger, each with 40 questions and a 60-minute time limit. Combined, all three testlets total 100 questions in 2 hours and 30 minutes. Despite the size difference, all three testlets cost the same — $56.50 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.
The exam is delivered entirely by computer in a selected-response (multiple-choice) format. No reference materials are provided — you won’t have access to a calculator, formula sheet, or any other aid during any of the three testlets.
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 two testlets doesn’t make up for falling below the floor on the third. To register, create a GaPSC MyPSC account at mypsc.gapsc.org, then create an Evaluation Systems GACE testing account at gace.es.pearson.com.
Three Testlets at a Glance
Testlet 318 is the shortest at 20 questions. Testlets 319 and 320 each have 40 questions. All three cost $56.50 individually.
GACE ESOL (P–12) (727) Exam Outline
Below you’ll find the content areas covered in each testlet, along with the confirmed question count and time limit for each.
- Major theories of first and second language acquisition
- Foundational linguistics, including phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics
- Sociolinguistic factors that influence language use and development
- Cognitive, social, and affective factors that influence language acquisition
- The distinction between social language proficiency and academic language proficiency
- ESOL program models, including sheltered instruction, dual language, and structured English immersion
- Evidence-based instructional strategies for English learners
- Scaffolding techniques and comprehensible input
- Differentiated instruction across varying English proficiency levels
- Culturally responsive teaching practices
- Engaging families and communities of English learners
- Legal foundations and civil rights protections for English learners
- English language proficiency standards and levels
- Formative and summative assessment practices for English learners
- Standardized assessment tools used to measure English language proficiency
- Progress monitoring and criteria for reclassification
- Content-area instruction and academic language development for English learners
- Using technology to support English learner instruction
High-Priority Topics by Testlet
Use this section to focus your study time. These topics are drawn from the official GACE 727 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
Reference Materials
Who Needs the GACE ESOL (P–12) (727)?
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/727 and register for your testlets. You can take all three testlets together in one appointment or separately in any combination. Always verify current certification requirements at gapsc.com.
How to Prepare for the GACE ESOL (P–12) (727)
Here are some tips to help you get ready for each testlet.
- Testlets 319 and 320 are your largest at 40 questions each — prioritize your study time accordingly. Together they make up 80% of the total questions on the exam, so strong command of instructional strategies and assessment practices carries the most weight toward your cumulative score.
- Because you must meet the floor on every testlet, don’t treat Testlet 318 as less important just because it’s shorter. The theoretical foundation it covers — language acquisition theory and linguistics — underlies everything tested in the other two testlets, so a weak foundation here can make the rest of your preparation harder.
- For Testlet 318, know the difference between BICS and CALP cold. This distinction is one of the most consistently tested concepts in ESOL certification exams, and confusing the two is a common source of missed points.
- For Testlet 319, be ready to match instructional strategies to specific classroom scenarios. Questions often describe a classroom situation and ask which scaffolding technique or program model would be most appropriate — practice this application skill, not just definitions.
- For Testlet 320, understand the purpose of each proficiency level, not just its label. You’ll need to connect a student’s proficiency level to the kind of instructional support and assessment approach that’s appropriate for them.
- Use the WIDA English Language Development Standards and the Georgia Standards of Excellence as your two primary content references. WIDA provides the national framework most ESOL programs use to structure instruction and assess proficiency, and the Georgia standards tell you what’s expected at each grade level in Georgia classrooms specifically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about the GACE ESOL exam? Here are answers to the most common ones.
Ready to Start Practicing?
Practice questions covering all three testlets — Foundations of Language and Language Acquisition (318), Foundations of ESOL Instruction (319), and Instruction and Assessment of English Language Learners (320) — aligned to the official GACE 727 blueprint. Detailed answer explanations so you understand not just the right answer, but why it’s right.
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