What Is the GAC?

The Global Assessment Certificate (GAC) program is the world's most recognized university preparation program for students who do not have English as their first language. It is a product of ACT Education Solutions, Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of ACT).

The GAC is a university preparation program that provides students with the academic knowledge, skills, and confidence to enter and successfully complete a bachelor's degree at one of many selected universities. If you want to study overseas, successful completion of the GAC is a pathway into a bachelor degree at one of many GAC Pathway Universities in the United States, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, and other countries world-wide. (Click here for Terms & Conditions.)

All students who complete the GAC are eligible to take the ACT® test, a multiple choice test that covers four areas of study: English, mathematics, reading, and science. An optional writing test is also available. This test is used extensively by universities in the USA to determine university entry. The GAC is the only international university preparation program that includes the ACT test as part of its curriculum. The GAC curriculum includes units that help students prepare for the ACT test.

The GAC consists of three levels of study, and a fast-track option is available for those who meet the specified entry requirements. The core program consists of English, Mathematics, Computing, Business, Science and Social Science supported by systematic study of learning skills for success at university. Elective units allow students to choose between the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) preparation, and they also have the option of taking an additional mathematics unit during Level III.

The GAC delivers:

Global Acceptance, with entry into a range of universities worldwide. The GAC prepares you for admission into a number of undergraduate programs.

Global Recognition will showcase your individual ability to GAC Pathway Universities. You will have an ACT score, a GAC grade point average (GPA) and either a TOEFL or IELTS score.

Global Success, with up to one year of credit offered to you by selected GAC Pathway Universities in the United States. This allows you to complete your university studies faster, saving you a significant amount in tuition fees and living expenses.

Global Rewards, with scholarships and bursaries offered by a number of GAC Pathway Universities. These scholarships reward you for your academic excellence before and during your university studies.

As a GAC graduate, you will possess:



"The GAC program is the best program not only for English studies but because it makes studying itself interesting for students. If someone asks me the best thing about the GAC, then my answer is that it helps students' confidence to succeed at university. I can't wait to fly to the U.S. to meet my new friends at university. The GAC gave me the opportunity."
—Kyoung Nam Lee
Rowan University, New Jersey, USA

"The GAC wasn't just about studying English. It included business, math and science taught in English. The presentation skills and debating and group discussions in the GAC has further prepared me for study in the U.S. It was tough at the beginning but now I am confident that I am fully prepared."
—Chung Ji Yoon
Tulane University, Louisiana, USA

"The GAC is not just an English program or test preparation course like IELTS and TOEFL training. IELTS and TOEFL only teach you how to take a test, but the GAC prepared us for many academic aspects like Mathematics, business, science, study skills and so on for our future success in university. I feel very confident with my university study now."
—Leo Deng (Deng Kao),
Bachelor of Computer Information Technology, University of Hertfordshire, United Kingdom

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