If you need help studying for the MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills exam or just want some more information about what the test is like, you’ve come to the right place!
Click below to take a free MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills practice test!
What’s on the Exam?
First, let’s talk about the questions on the MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills test. There are 86 questions in total, with most being multiple-choice and some being open-response or sentence correction questions.
77 questions
Multiple-choice questions require you to select the correct answer from a list of four options. There will only be one correct answer per question.
Sentence Correction
7 questions
Short-answer sentence correction questions require you to write a short answer to correct a given sentence.
Open-Response
2 questions
The open-response questions require you to write your answer instead of selecting from a list of choices. Your response to these questions is generally expected to be 150–300 words.
The time limit for the test is 4 hours. There aren’t any scheduled breaks, but you’re free to take a restroom break if needed!
Let’s take a closer look at the two subtests within the exam:
1. Reading (101)
42 questions
- Determining the meaning of words and phrases within context
- Identifying and understanding the main idea and supporting details of a text
- Identifying an author’s point of view, purpose, and intended meaning
- Analyzing the relationships among ideas in a text
- Evaluating a text
- Outlining and summarizing a text
- Interpreting information presented in a graphic
2. Writing (201)
44 questions
Multiple-Choice/Sentence Correction
- Establishing and maintaining a main idea or central theme
- Recognizing common errors in sentence construction, grammar, and usage
- Analyzing and revising sentences
Open-Response
- Preparing an effective summary
- Preparing a well-organized and focused sample of writing for a given audience and purpose
How to Register
To register for the test, you’ll need to create an account on the MTEL website. Once your account has been created, you can submit your application to take the test.
When you submit your registration, you will need to pay the $112 testing fee if you plan to take both subtests in one sitting. If you want to take each subtest separately, each one costs $69.50.
MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills Study Guide and Flashcards
Get practice questions, detailed study lessons, and complex subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts.
MTEL Scores
The MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills test is scored using a scaled scoring method. Here’s how it works:
For every question you answer correctly, you get one point added to your raw score. At the end of the test, your final raw score will be converted to a scaled score. This scaled score will range somewhere between 100 and 300.
The reason your raw score is converted to a scaled score is because everyone that takes the test is given a slightly different set of questions. Since everyone has a different arrangement of questions, and because some questions are harder than others, converting your raw score to a scaled score ensures a more even playing field.
FAQs
How many questions are on the MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills exam?
The exam contains 86 questions.
What is the time limit for the MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills exam?
The exam is timed at 4 hours.
What is the passing score for the MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills exam?
You’ll need to get a final scaled score of at least 240 on each subtest.
How much does the MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills exam cost?
The testing fee for both subtests taken together is $112.