Test Information Guide

Overview and Test Objectives
Field 33: Technology/Engineering

Test Overview

Table outlining the test format, number of questions, time, and passing score.
Format Computer-based test (CBT); 100 multiple-choice questions, 2 open-response items
Number of Questions
  • Subarea I: 19–21 multiple-choice questions
  • Subarea II: 18–20 multiple-choice questions
  • Subarea III: 15–17 multiple-choice questions
  • Subarea IV: 15–17 multiple-choice questions
  • Subarea V: 15–17 multiple-choice questions
  • Subarea VI: 12–14 multiple-choice questions
  • Subarea VII: 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 16%, Sub area II 15%, Sub area III 13%, Sub area IV 13%, Sub area V 13%, Sub area VI 10%, and Sub area VII 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 Foundations and Engineering Design 01–04 16%
II Energy and Power Systems 05–08 15%
III Construction Technologies 09–10 13%
IV Manufacturing Technologies 11–13 13%
V Communication Technologies 14–16 13%
VI Transportation Technologies 17–18 10%
80%
Open-Response*
VII Integration of Knowledge and Understanding 19 20%

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

 

Subarea I–Foundations and Engineering Design

Objective 0001: Understand the historical and social contexts of technology/engineering.
For example:
Objective 0002: Understand the connections among engineering, technology, mathematics, and natural science.
For example:
Objective 0003: Understand engineering design and the role of modeling and optimizing in developing technological solutions to problems within given constraints.
For example:
Objective 0004: Understand the selection and safe use of appropriate materials, tools, equipment, and machines in technology/engineering.
For example:

 

Subarea II–Energy and Power Systems

Objective 0005: Understand fluid systems and their role in technology systems.
For example:
Objective 0006: Understand thermal systems and their role in technology systems.
For example:
Objective 0007: Understand electrical principles and components and their roles in technology systems.
For example:
Objective 0008: Understand basic principles of energy, work, and power and their relationship to mechanical systems.
For example:

 

Subarea III–Construction Technologies

Objective 0009: Understand design factors, material selection, and constraints in building structures.
For example:
Objective 0010: Understand the effects of forces in construction technology.
For example:

 

Subarea IV–Manufacturing Technologies

Objective 0011: Understand primary and secondary manufacturing processes used to create manufactured products.
For example:
Objective 0012: Understand how manufacturing enterprises and facilities are structured and managed.
For example:
Objective 0013: Understand bioengineering technologies.
For example:

 

Subarea V–Communication Technologies

Objective 0014: Understand processes used to communicate messages and ideas.
For example:
Objective 0015: Understand waves, wave motion, and the basic principles of acoustics.
For example:
Objective 0016: Understand the nature of light and its application to communication technology.
For example:

 

Subarea VI–Transportation Technologies

Objective 0017: Understand the principles and characteristics of transportation technology.
For example:
Objective 0018: Understand processes and devices used in transportation technologies.
For example:

 

Subarea VII–Integration of Knowledge and Understanding

Objective 0019: Prepare an organized, developed analysis on a topic related to one or more of the following: the design process and its relationship to models and technical drawings and technical processes in the areas of energy and power, construction, manufacturing, communication, or transportation.

(Refer to objectives 0001 through 0018 and associated descriptive statements.)