Gwinnett's High School Gateway Assessment measures students’ ability to write effectively about areas of focus in 9th and 10th grade courses, demonstrating their knowledge and skills in World History, Biology, Chemistry, and Language Arts.
This year, the Gateway will be administered March 27-28. Most students participate in this assessment in their sophomore year, though freshmen taking Chemistry or World History may take this writing assessment in spring of 9th grade.
For the Gateway, students write two essays— one on a Science topic and one on a Social Studies topic. In writing a response, students use their own knowledge about the topic as well as information from documents provided. Students have 125 minutes to write each of the essays, one per day.
Results from this administration will be available before the end of the school year. All Gwinnett students, including those who enroll in GCPS after 10th grade, must pass both sections of the school system’s High School Gateway Assessment to earn a regular diploma.
What students learn in the classroom each day prepares them for the Gateway Assessment. However, intervention classes are provided to help students who do not pass this assessment. Students who are not successful on the assessment the first time have several opportunities to take a retest before graduation. Online, families can find tips for supporting their student at test time and, if needed, ways to help a student manage test anxiety.