FAQs

The skills that you will learn in the GAC are essential for successful study at a western university. They include:

• collecting, analysing and organising information
• communicating ideas and information
• working with others and in teams
• planning and organising activities
• using mathematical ideas and techniques
• solving problems
• using technology

Your assessments are designed to prepare you for the rigours of university study, and include the same kind of assessments you would find at university in the first year:

• role-plays and oral presentations
• written summaries, descriptions, essays and reports
• journals and other documents showing planning, reflection and drafting
• group projects and presentations
• researched essays and reports
• skills tests and course participation grades

Students who do well in the GAC are more likely to be more successful at university than students who don’t do well in the GAC. The GAC provides vital independent learning and academic skills that you will need at university, whatever subject area you are going to study. It will also give you a taste of university-level study in the areas of Business, IT, Mathematics, Science and Social Science. However, it is still important that you choose the university major that is suitable for you.

If you have failed an assessment, you will have the chance to re-do it. Your Director of Studies will advise you on what to do.

Moderation is the process of checking grades and assessments to see that all students are being assessed fairly at an equal level. It ensures that the academic standards are the same across the world. Moderation happens at three levels - at the centers, regionally (across a number of centers in a region) and globally (by AES staff on a global level).

This is so that the assessments can be watched by other teachers and moderation can take place (see above).

Yes, there are staff in your center who can provide assistance in applying to universities (Pathway Universities or other universities). Before you apply, you should also check the university’s admissions page for international students, and the Pathway University Handbook (PDF; 56 pages, 3MB). The Handbook mentions the GAC GPA and English requirements which you will need to enter each university.

Most (but not all) universities and Pathway Universities need an IELTS or TOEFL test result. Some universities accept the GAC English modules and no further test is needed. Please refer to the Pathway University Handbook (PDF; 56 pages, 3MB) to find out the requirements for your university of choice. Some countries ask for a specific IELTS score before you can apply for a student visa. Check the requirements for your student visa before you apply.

If your IELTS or TOEFL score is lower than needed for your university of choice, it may be worthwhile to apply anyway. Many universities provide conditional offer letters and will enroll you in an additional English language program before your course starts. Check the Pathway University Handbook (PDF; 56 pages, 3MB) to identify universities that will accept the GPA you expect to get.

Some Pathway Universities need a high GPA, some much lower. Some universities will accept students with a ‘Pass’ of 0.6, if all other conditions are met. Check the Pathway University Handbook (PDF; 56 pages, 3MB) tables to find out which universities are suitable for you.

GAC graduates can apply for Pathway University scholarships. Many of our U.S. Pathway Universities grant scholarships, which GAC graduates can apply for. However, scholarships are competitive and only the best students receive them.

Many U.S. universities have 3 terms per year (starting in August, January and June), and admissions deadlines can be several months before the terms begin. Once you have your Level II transcript, you can apply to university. If you have missed the deadline for a U.S. university, it may still be worth applying, as late applications are sometimes accepted. We suggest that you apply anyway and wait for a response. If your English level is not high enough, the university may recommend additional English courses and entry the following term.

You can apply to universities that don’t officially recognize the GAC. They will evaluate your high school, English and GAC results and may need more information about the course. First, you should ask your GAC center for assistance.

Universities have two entry requirements. One is for academic results (GAC GPA, high school and ACT scores) and the other is for English level (IELTS or TOEFL, ACT English score or GAC English modules score). Both entry requirements must be met. However, if your academic results are high enough but your English level is a little low, many universities will offer you a conditional enrollment. This means that you are accepted into their course but must first complete an extra English course.

Australian and British universities cannot give credits for the GAC. They vary in their entry requirements. Many Australian and British Pathway Universities require students to do additional university-level programs after completing high school. The GAC is recognized by these universities as a foundation program and therefore enables students who have not done any university study in their own country to gain entry.

Level 3 of the GAC is at a similar level to the first year of university. It provides vital academic, English and study skills that you will need for studying at university. If you finish your GAC, you are more likely to get higher grades in your university course, even if you study at university in your own country. If you have been accepted to a Pathway University, you will need to finish the GAC to be offered credits.

EducationUSA (opens new window) recommends that you apply to 3 to 5 U.S. universities. Before you apply for universities, you should check:

• your GPA and English results at least match the university’s requirements (see Pathway University Handbook (PDF; 56 pages, 3MB))
• the course you would like to do is offered by that university
• you like the university’s location, size, cost of living, accommodation (if provided) and student lifestyle

Both tests are tests of Academic English used for acceptance into university. Both tests include Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing. The IELTS includes a Speaking component conducted in a real interview situation with a trained examiner. The TOEFL test is either paper-based or internet-based. In the internet-based test, the Speaking test is done by speaking into a microphone which is recorded and scored.

The IELTS Test is more commonly used for admission into universities in Australia and the U.K. The TOEFL test has been more commonly used for U.S. universities, but the IELTS test is now recognized in the U.S. as well. Check the test dates and availability of the tests at the TOEFL (opens new window) and IELTS (opens new window) websites.