Why Writing a Great NAPLAN Story for the GATE Test Will Not Work

Michael Buckingham Gray • October 22, 2018
GATE Test Preparation Perth

It is about this time every year that we start to see many students who want to sit the GATE test.

One of the first things that we do at Intuition is test a student's ability to write. Feedback is then provided. Sometimes parents are disappointed with the results. Occasionally we are told that their child did well in the NAPLAN and ask why their child did not do so well here.

Often, we will need to explain that the NAPLAN is a testing regime that seeks to produce students to one standard. The GATE test, on the other hand, looks for something quite different - it seeks students who stand out.

How can children stand out? Well in writing, GATE markers will look for those students who produce a piece of work that is original in its written response to a prompt – be it a picture, a word or a phrase.

In principle, you cannot study for the GATE test. However, by exposing children to writing that is new or novel in some way, shape or form can show them how other writers have stood out from their peers. Moreover, it gives students the courage to experiment and put their ideas forward in a bolder way.

If you are interested in having your child stand out book into one of our GATE writing classes today!

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