Global Assessment Certificate
The Global Assessment Certificate program (also known as the GAC, /ʤiː eɪ siː/, jee-ay-see) is a university preparation and foundation studies program that provides students from mostly non-English-speaking backgrounds with academic knowledge and skills to prepare them for western-style postsecondary study. It is owned and developed by ACT Education Solutions, Ltd. (AES),[1] an international subsidiary of ACT, Inc.[2]
The GAC is recognized for admissions and credit transfer purposes by more than 90 universities around the globe, including The University of Iowa,[3][4] LIU Post,[5][6] the University of Idaho,[7][8] Oklahoma State University,[9][10] Southern Oregon University [11][12] (in the United States), Griffith University,[13] University Technology Sydney,[14][15] Bond,[16][17] La Trobe,[18][19] and RMIT [20] (in Australia) for admissions purposes and is considered an alternative or addition to Year 12 for international students.
The GAC is licensed to teaching centers (known as ‘Approved Teaching Centers’ or ATCs[21]). The program is monitored and moderated by AES staff based at the organization's regional offices in Shanghai, Jakarta and Singapore.[22] It is not currently accredited.
GAC course structure
[edit]The GAC can be delivered full-time or part-time as a concurrent co-curriculum with the high school curriculum. The minimum requirements for delivery of the program are 720 hours of face-to-face instruction and 360 hours of independent study, half of which must be supervised. The program is continuously assessed and all assessments are moderated by ACT Education Solutions.
Level I
Six mandatory modules with a total of 240 hours of face-to-face study, plus 120 hours independent study. Includes academic English, study skills, mathematics, computing, and communication skills.
Level II
Two mandatory academic English modules, plus four of six specialization modules across the areas of business, computing, mathematics, science, psychology and social science. Electives in IELTS or TOEFL preparation are available.
Level III
Two mandatory academic English modules plus four of six specialization modules across the areas of business, computing, mathematics, science, psychology and social science. ACT Test preparation is also available.
GAC GPA scale
[edit]The GAC Grade Point Average (GPA) scale is based on a four-point scale with a passing grade of 55% (GPA 0.6). Grading criteria for each assessment are clearly stipulated in documentation provided to Approved Teaching Centers (ATCs) and teachers and directors of studies are trained by ACT Education Solutions, Limited's academic staff in the correct application of the grading criteria. All grades are finalized by ACT Education Solutions, Limited's academic staff prior to posting on ACT Education Solutions, Limited's secure online database, iTAP. Higher education institutions can verify GAC graduates' certificates and transcripts through the iTAP database.
| GRADE | POINTS | DESCRIPTION | % GUIDE |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 4.00 | Very high achievement | 94–100 |
| A- | 3.60 | 90–93 | |
| B+ | 3.30 | 87–89 | |
| B | 3.00 | High achievement | 83–86 |
| B- | 2.60 | 80–82 | |
| C+ | 2.30 | 77–79 | |
| C | 2.00 | Average achievement | 73–76 |
| C- | 1.60 | 70–72 | |
| D+ | 1.30 | 67–69 | |
| D | 1.00 | Pass | 60–66 |
| D- | 0.60 | 55–59 |
ACE credit recommendations for the GAC modules
[edit]The American Council on Education’s (www.acenet.edu) College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT) recommended college credit for 15 of the GAC program modules in 2016. ACE found 15 GAC modules to be equivalent to associate degree–level subjects at US colleges and universities. Each was recommended for 3 semester credit hours, up to a total of 44 credit hours.
Information on how each module is recommended for credit is available from ACE’s National Guide,[23] searching under the organization’s name.
| GAC Module Number | Recommended # of semester hours in associate degree category |
|---|---|
| GAC005 | 3 in computer information systems |
| GAC006 | 3 in communications |
| GAC008 | 3 in English composition |
| GAC010 | 2 in introduction to probability, statistics, and business problem solving |
| GAC011 | 3 in computer information systems |
| GAC012 | 3 in introduction to business |
| GAC014 | 3 in communication |
| GAC015 | 3 in English composition |
| GAC016 | 3 in calculus |
| GAC017 | 3 in Web design |
| GAC022 | 3 in international business |
| GAC023 | 3 in life sciences |
| GAC024 | 3 in discrete mathematics |
| GAC027 | 3 in sociology |
| GAC028 | 3 in sociology |
References
[edit]- ^ "Home". acteducationsolutions.com. Archived from the original on August 11, 2011. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
- ^ "Home". act.org. Archived from the original on August 7, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
- ^ "Home". uiowa.edu. Archived from the original on October 29, 2011. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
- ^ "Global Assessment Certificate Program | International Admissions - the University of Iowa". Archived from the original on September 27, 2012. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
- ^ "Home". liu.edu. Archived from the original on June 3, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
- ^ Undergraduateliu.edu Archived September 5, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Home". uidaho.edu. Archived from the original on June 5, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
- ^ "Global Assessment Certificate | University of Idaho". Archived from the original on May 2, 2014. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
- ^ "Home". okstate.edu. Archived from the original on April 9, 2008. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 17, 2012. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Home". sou.edu. Archived from the original on December 20, 2009. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
- ^ "Global Assessment Certificate Certificate Program". Archived from the original on August 22, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
- ^ "International". Archived from the original on October 24, 2016. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
- ^ "Information for international students". September 20, 2012. Archived from the original on March 2, 2013. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
- ^ "Griffith College". Archived from the original on September 20, 2016. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
- ^ "Home". bond.edu.au. Archived from the original on February 23, 2012. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
- ^ "Secondary School Equivalence | Application & Enrolment | Bond University | Gold Coast, Australia". Archived from the original on February 10, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
- ^ "Home". latrobe.edu.au. Archived from the original on February 13, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
- ^ "La Trobe College Australia - International Admission Requirements". Archived from the original on May 2, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
- ^ "Home". rmit.edu.au. Archived from the original on April 16, 2009. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
- ^ "ATCs | ACT Education Solutions". Archived from the original on January 24, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2016. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "The ACE National Guide". Archived from the original on July 31, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2014.