GACE® Special Education Adapted Curriculum (P–12) (731)
Practice Test
You'll prepare for three testlets — 401 Assessment and Planning (30 questions, 45 min, $63.00), 402 Curriculum and Instruction (30 questions, 45 min, $63.00), and 503 Foundations and Professional Knowledge in Special Education (40 questions, 60 min, $43.00). 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 Special Education Adapted Curriculum (P–12) (731): Test at a Glance
Here’s a quick overview of the exam. Testlet 503 is the largest at 40 questions. Testlets 401 and 402 each have 30 questions.
About the GACE Special Education Adapted Curriculum (P–12) (731)
Here’s what you need to know before you register.
The GACE Special Education Adapted Curriculum (P–12) exam is for individuals seeking admission to an educator preparation program, initial certification in Georgia, or qualification to teach special education students who require a modified or alternate curriculum, 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. Testlets 401 (Assessment and Planning) and 402 (Curriculum and Instruction) are equal in size, each with 30 questions and a 45-minute time limit. Testlet 503 (Foundations and Professional Knowledge in Special Education) is your largest, with 40 questions and a 60-minute time limit. Combined, all three testlets total 100 questions in 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Fees differ by testlet: Testlets 401 and 402 each cost $63.00 individually, while Testlet 503 costs $43.00. All three combined cost $169.00 (including a $25 registration fee and a $28 test center fee). Plan for extra time beyond the testing minutes themselves: add 15 minutes per testing session for a tutorial and to complete a nondisclosure agreement.
Testlet 503 isn’t specific to the adapted curriculum pathway — it’s a shared testlet that also appears on GACE Special Education General Curriculum (735). If you’ve already passed it through that exam, verify whether you have credit toward the 731 before registering. The exam is delivered entirely by computer in a selected-response (multiple-choice) format. No reference materials are provided for 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 503 is the largest at 40 questions. Testlets 401 and 402 each have 30 questions. Fees vary by testlet.
GACE Special Education Adapted Curriculum (P–12) (731) Exam Outline
Below you’ll find the content areas covered in each testlet, along with the confirmed question count and time limit for each.
- Assessment instruments and procedures for evaluating the strengths and needs of all students with exceptionalities
- The policies and practices related to individualized program planning for all students with exceptionalities
- Strategies, procedures, and methods for establishing a safe and productive learning environment for all students with exceptionalities
- Strategies and instructional practices that promote the cognitive development and academic achievements of all students with exceptionalities
- Strategies and materials for promoting the communication and language development of students with exceptionalities
- Strategies for teaching daily living skills and promoting successful transitions for all students with exceptionalities
- Philosophical, legal, and professional foundations of special education
- Human development and the implications associated with disability on students and their families
- Establishing and engaging in collaborative partnerships with stakeholders
- Policies, principles, and procedures related to referral, program planning, eligibility, instruction, and placement of all students with exceptionalities
High-Priority Topics by Testlet
Use this section to focus your study time. These topics are drawn from the official GACE 731 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 Special Education Adapted Curriculum (P–12) (731)?
Find out if this is the right exam for your teaching goals.
731 vs. 735 (General Curriculum): The 731 (Adapted Curriculum) certifies you to work with students with disabilities who require a modified or alternate curriculum. GACE Special Education General Curriculum (735) certifies you to work with students who access the general education curriculum. Both exams share Testlet 503, but their other two testlets are entirely different, reflecting the different student populations and instructional approaches each certification covers. Verify the correct certification for your intended teaching assignment with your educator preparation program.
Testlet 503 credit across exams: Testlet 503 (Foundations and Professional Knowledge in Special Education) is a shared testlet that also appears on GACE Special Education General Curriculum (735). If you have already passed Testlet 503 through the General Curriculum exam, you may have credit toward the 731. Verify this in your Evaluation Systems GACE testing account at gace.es.pearson.com/test/731 before registering.
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 and register for your testlets. Always verify current certification requirements at gapsc.com.
How to Prepare for the GACE Special Education Adapted Curriculum (P–12) (731)
Here are some tips to help you get ready for each testlet.
- Testlet 503 is your largest at 40 questions — prioritize your study time accordingly. At 40% of the total questions on the exam, strong command of the legal and professional foundations of special education carries the most weight toward your cumulative score.
- Because you must meet the floor on every testlet, don’t neglect Testlets 401 or 402 just because they’re shorter. At 30 questions each, these testlets carry fewer points than Testlet 503, but falling below the floor on either one means you don’t pass — regardless of how well you scored elsewhere.
- If you’ve already taken GACE Special Education General Curriculum (735), check your Testlet 503 credit before registering. Testlet 503 is identical across both exams. Passing it once through the General Curriculum exam means you may not need to pay for or retake it here.
- For Testlet 401, focus on the connection between assessment results and individualized planning. This testlet doesn’t just test assessment tools in isolation — it tests your ability to translate assessment data into meaningful program decisions for a student on an adapted curriculum.
- For Testlet 402, study functional and daily living skills instruction specifically, not just academic instruction. This is a defining feature of adapted curriculum content that distinguishes it from general curriculum special education — expect questions on teaching self-care, community, and vocational skills, not just reading and math.
- Use the official GACE 731 Study Guide and IDEA (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) as your two primary content references. The study guide is available through your Evaluation Systems GACE testing account, and IDEA provides the legal framework that underlies much of the content tested across all three testlets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about the GACE Special Education Adapted Curriculum exam? Here are answers to the most common ones.
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Practice questions covering all three testlets — Assessment and Planning (401), Curriculum and Instruction (402), and Foundations and Professional Knowledge in Special Education (503) — aligned to the official GACE 731 blueprint. Detailed answer explanations so you understand not just the right answer, but why it’s right.
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