Where can I find information about the purpose and characteristics of the MTEL tests?

An overview of the purpose and characteristics of all the tests in the MTEL program is provided in "Program Overview" in the "About the MTEL" section of the registration bulletin.

Detailed information about the purpose and characteristics of each MTEL test is provided in the "Test Overview Chart" in the field-specific information section of the Test Information Booklet for each test. Refer to the "Test Information Booklets" page on the MTEL web site to select the test field for which you wish to view this information.

Where can I find information about the test objectives and number and types of questions on the MTEL tests?

The test objectives for all MTEL tests are available to view or print as individual PDF documents from the "Test Objectives" page of the MTEL web site. The test objectives for each test field are also provided in the field-specific information section of the Test Information Booklet for each test.

The number of multiple-choice, short answer, and/or open-response items for each subarea of each test is detailed in the "Test Overview Chart" in the field-specific information section of the Test Information Booklet for each test. Refer to the "Test Information Booklets" page on the MTEL web site to select the test field for which you wish to view this information.

How can I order MTEL Test Information Booklets?

To order hard copies of the Test Information Booklets that are available online, mail a completed Test Information Booklet Order Form with proper payment to NES. This form is available to print out by selecting "Test Information Booklet Order Form" on the "Test Information Booklets" page on the MTEL web site and is also provided in the MTEL registration bulletin. Please allow four weeks for delivery of Test Information Booklets.

Where can I find scoring information about the MTEL tests?

The Score Report Explanation available from the "Score Reporting" page on the MTEL web site provides information for candidates about interpreting total test scores and subarea information on score reports as well as performance on open-response items. This information is also provided in the MTEL Faculty Guide in the sections titled "Score Reporting" and "Understanding MTEL Score Reports."

Detailed information about the scoring of open-response items on the Communication and Literacy Skills test and the General Curriculum test is available in Appendix C of the MTEL Faculty Guide. This section includes the performance characteristics and scoring scale used to score responses, sample responses at the various score points, and explanations of the assigned scores.

Information about the scoring of open-response items on the PreK–12 subject matter tests and the Adult Basic Education Test, including the performance characteristics and scoring scale, is available in "Scoring Open-Response Items" in the general program information section of the Test Information Booklet for each test. (For language fields, these can be found in the field-specific information section of the Test Information Booklet.) Refer to the "Test Information Booklets" page on the MTEL web site to select the test field for which you wish to view this information.

Performance characteristics and scoring scales for all test fields are also provided in Appendix B of the MTEL Faculty Guide.

Where can I find information about MTEL test administrations?

General information about MTEL test administrations is provided in a quick-lookup format on the "Frequently Asked Questions" page on the MTEL web site.

Where can I find information about preparing for MTEL tests?

The MTEL web site provides a number of resources to help candidates prepare for the tests and to help faculty assist candidates in preparing to test.

Test objectives. Test objectives are available on the "Test Objectives" page of the MTEL web site. The test objectives for each test field are also provided in the field-specific information section of the Test Information Booklet for each test.

Test Information Booklets. The Test Information Booklet for each test field includes a general program information section and a field-specific information section. The general program information section discusses how to use test objectives to prepare for a test, introduces test item formats, presents sample answer documents, and offers test-taking tips and information about score reports. The field-specific information section includes details about the number and types of items on the test and provides sample items as well as the test objectives. Refer to the "Test Information Booklets" page on the MTEL web site to select the test field for which you wish to view this information.

Practice tests. Full-length practice tests designed to simulate the MTEL tests are available for the following test fields:

• Communication and Literacy Skills (01)
• Early Childhood (02)
• Foundations of Reading (90)
• General Curriculum (03)
• Mathematics (09)

In addition to the sample test items, the practice tests include information about how to evaluate multiple-choice item performance and open-response item sample responses. Refer to the "Practice Tests" page on the MTEL web site to select the test field for which you wish to view this information.

Faculty guide. The "Helping Candidates Prepare for an MTEL Test" section of the MTEL Faculty Guide offers specific suggestions for helping candidates prepare for the test, including an explanation of how to use the MTEL Candidate Profile Worksheet and Objective-to-Course Matching Chart (both provided in Appendix A).

In addition, Appendix C provides detailed information about the scoring of open-response items on the Communication and Literacy Skills test and the General Curriculum test, including the performance characteristics and scoring scale used to score responses, sample responses at the various score points, and explanations of the assigned scores.

Also, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's web site at www.doe.mass.edu/mtel provides a list of test preparation resources offered by nonprofit organizations.

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