Test Information Guide

Overview and Test Objectives
Field 06: History

Test Overview

Table outlining the test format, number of questions, time, and passing score.
Format Computer-based test (CBT) and online proctored test; 100 multiple-choice questions, 2 open-response items
Number of Questions
  • Subarea I: 37–39 multiple-choice questions
  • Subarea II: 30–32 multiple-choice questions
  • Subarea III: 30–32 multiple-choice questions
  • Subarea IV: 2 open-response items
Time 4 hours (does not include 15-minute CBT tutorial)
Passing Score 240

The Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) are designed to measure a candidate's knowledge of the subject matter contained in the test objectives for each field. The MTEL are aligned with the Massachusetts educator licensure regulations and, as applicable, with the standards in the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks.

The test objectives specify the content to be covered on the test and are organized by major content subareas. The chart below shows the approximate percentage of the total test score derived from each of the subareas.

The test assesses a candidate's proficiency and depth of understanding of the subject at the level required for a baccalaureate major according to Massachusetts standards. Candidates are typically nearing completion of or have completed their undergraduate work when they take the test.

Pie chart of approximate test weighting.

Sub area I 30%, Sub area II 25%, Sub area III 25%, and Sub area IV 20%.

Test Objectives

Table outlining test content and subject weighting by sub area and objective
Subareas Range of Objectives Approximate Test Weighting
Multiple-Choice
I U.S. History 01–06 30%
II World History 07–13 25%
III Geography, Government, and Economics 14–17 25%
80%
Open-Response*
IV Integration of Knowledge and Understanding 18 20%

*The open-response items may relate to topics covered in any of the subareas.

 

Subarea I–U.S. History

Objective 0001: Understand the characteristics of indigenous societies of North America, the causes and course of European exploration, and the development of colonial societies to 1760.
Objective 0002: Understand the causes and key events of the Revolutionary War and major political, economic, social, and cultural developments that shaped the course of U.S. history through the Jacksonian era.
Objective 0003: Understand the significance of historical events related to westward expansion, the Civil War, and Reconstruction.
Objective 0004: Understand the major political, economic, social, and cultural developments that shaped the course of U.S. history from 1877 to 1920.
Objective 0005: Understand the significant historical events and developments related to the emergence of the United States as a world power and the effects of major conflicts on the United States from 1898 to the present.
Objective 0006: Understand the major political, economic, social, and cultural developments that have shaped the course of U.S. history from 1920 to the present.

 

Subarea II–World History

Objective 0007: Understand human beginnings, the characteristics of early human societies, and the roots of Western civilization (prehistory to A.D. 500).
Objective 0008: Understand the major political, economic, social, and cultural developments that shaped the course of world history during the growth of agricultural and commercial civilizations (500 to 1500).
Objective 0009: Understand the major political, economic, social, and cultural developments that shaped the course of world history during the Global Age (1450 to 1750).
Objective 0010: Understand the major political, economic, social, and cultural developments that shaped the course of world history during the Age of Revolutionary Change (1700 to 1914).
Objective 0011: Understand the major political, economic, social, and cultural developments that shaped the course of world history during the Era of the Great Wars (1900 to 1945).
Objective 0012: Understand the major political, economic, social, and cultural developments that shaped the course of world history from 1945 to the present.
Objective 0013: Understand the impact of science and technology on the development of civilization.

 

Subarea III–Geography, Government, and Economics

Objective 0014: Understand the major physical features of the world and the effects of geographic factors on the development of human societies.
Objective 0015: Understand basic political science terms, concepts, and theories and the characteristics, organization, and development of various political systems.
Objective 0016: Understand the principles contained in the Founding Documents of U.S. government and the structure and operation of the U.S. political system.
Objective 0017: Understand fundamental economic concepts and theories, characteristics of major economic systems, and the organization and operation of the U.S. economic system.

 

Subarea IV–Integration of Knowledge and Understanding

Objective 0018: Prepare an organized, developed analysis on a topic related to one or more of the following: U.S. history; world history; geography, government, and economics.