The Nature of GAT GAT is an acronym for General Aptitude Test. It is available in both an Arabic Version and an English Version. Both versions of GAT use language and mathematics to measure the following abilities: 1. Reading comprehension 2. Logical relations 3. Problem-solving behavior 4. Inferential abilities 5. Inductional abilities
The test consists of six sections. All questions are multiple choice, with four possible answers marked as A, B, C, and D. The test-takers select the best answer and mark their choice on the answer sheet. The answer sheets are then machine scored. Some of the questions in the GAT are non-scorable trial items and are not counted toward the score of the test-taker. Rather, they help maintain statistical reliability in composing GAT examinations in the future. The test-takers’ scores are calculated only on the 120 questions of the actual GAT test; 68 of these questions are verbal and 52 are quantitative. To enhance security there are 5 forms of each test. The overall duration of the test is 3 hours.
English Placement Test
Components of GAT A. Verbal Section: (Five Content Areas) Analogy, Odd one out, Contextual text error, Sentence Completion and Reading comprehension. 1. Analogy: a pair of words conveying a specific relationship is given and the test-takers are asked to choose the pair of words from the four choices that is closest to the relationship of the original pair.
2. Odd one out: the test takers are presented with a groups of four words; all but one have a common criteria. They must chose that word.
3. Contextual text error: the test takers are presented with a number of passages; each passage contains four highlighted words, one of which does not fit the meaning of the text. They must chose that word.
4. Sentence Completion: the test-takers are given a short sentence or sentences with one or two blanks for missing words; from the four choices given, the test-takers must choose the word or words that best fit in the blank or blanks.
5. Reading Comprehension: the test-takers are given passages and are required to answer questions that relate to the passages.
B. Quantitative Section: (Four Content Areas) Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and interpretation of graphs and tables. This section emphasizes problem-solving, logical reasoning, analysis, and induction.
Preparation for the Test Educational Preparation The General Aptitude Test (GAT) requires basic knowledge; however, it is not an achievement test because it is not based on a particular syllabus. GAT is based on skills related to logical thinking, analysis and relationship. These skills have been acquired by test-takers throughout their education and through exposure to different experiences in life. They need only familiarize themselves with the publications produced by the National Center for Assessment (Qiyas) about this test, such as this brochure. Preparedness is increased by:
1. The use of inferential and analytical skills. 2. Reading texts and drawing from their ideas and conclusions as well as summarizing and making inferences from what has been read.
3. Inductive and deductive problem-solving.
Psychological Preparation Psychological readiness contributes to success. Test-takers need to reduce anxiety which could hinder performance. One way to reduce anxiety is to be familiar with the test form, procedures, and contents through exposure; this leads to good management of time while actually taking the test. Also test-takers should be sure to get adequate rest before the exam; studying all night or getting little sleep never helps and most likely will be a hindrance.
English Placement Test
VERBAL SECTION Analogy
Instructions In the following questions there is a pair of capitalized words followed by four choices marked A, B, C, D. Choose the pair of words whose relationship is most similar to that expressed by the capitalized pair, and mark your choice on your answer sheet.
1. COLD : HOT A handsome : young
