Test Information Guide

Overview and Test Objectives
Field 19: Business

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: 25–27 multiple-choice questions
  • Subarea II: 19–21 multiple-choice questions
  • Subarea III: 13–15 multiple-choice questions
  • Subarea IV: 13–15 multiple-choice questions
  • Subarea V: 13–15 multiple-choice questions
  • Subarea VI: 11–13 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 21%, Sub area II 16%, Sub area III 11%, Sub area IV 11%, Sub area V 11%, 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 Business Management 01–04 21%
II Accounting and Quantitative Analysis 05–07 16%
III Economics 08–09 11%
IV Marketing 10–11 11%
V Entrepreneurship and Business Technology 12–13 11%
VI Career Development and Personal Finance 14–15 10%
80%
Open-Response*
VII Integration of Knowledge and Understanding 16 20%

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

 

Subarea I–Business Management

Objective 0001: Understand principles, functions, and methods of organizational, operational, and financial management.
For example:
Objective 0002: Understand principles and methods of human resource management.
For example:
Objective 0003: Understand business communications.
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Objective 0004: Understand principles of business law, the legal environment of business, and issues related to ethics and social responsibility in business.
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Subarea II–Accounting and Quantitative Analysis

Objective 0005: Understand basic principles and applications of accounting.
For example:
Objective 0006: Understand principles and methods for generating and interpreting financial statements and ratios in accounting.
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Objective 0007: Understand basic techniques of mathematics and quantitative analysis in business.
For example:

 

Subarea III–Economics

Objective 0008: Understand basic concepts and applications of microeconomics.
For example:
Objective 0009: Understand basic concepts and applications of macroeconomics.
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Subarea IV–Marketing

Objective 0010: Understand basic principles of marketing and marketing research.
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Objective 0011: Understand international business, marketing, and trade.
For example:

 

Subarea V–Entrepreneurship and Business Technology

Objective 0012: Understand principles of entrepreneurship and types and characteristics of business ownership.
For example:
Objective 0013: Understand methods and systems of information processing and their applications to business.
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Subarea VI–Career Development and Personal Finance

Objective 0014: Understand career opportunities in business and principles and strategies of career development.
For example:
Objective 0015: Understand basic principles of consumer economics and personal finance.
For example:

 

Subarea VII–Integration of Knowledge and Understanding

Objective 0016: Prepare an organized, developed analysis on a topic related to one or more of the following: business management, accounting and quantitative analysis, economics, marketing, entrepreneurship and business technology, and career development and personal finance.

(Refer to objectives 0001 through 0015 and associated descriptive statements.)