If you need help studying for the MTEL English 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 English practice test!
What’s on the Exam?
First, let’s talk about the questions on the MTEL English test. There are 102 questions in total, with most being multiple-choice and some being open-response.
100 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.
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 different sections of the test:
1. Reading and Language
40% of the exam
- The characteristics of major genres of literature
- American literature from the 17th century through the 21st century that represents a range of perspectives reflecting diversity
- British literature from the Anglo-Saxon through the contemporary period
- Contemporary and historical literature from around the world from ancient times through the 21st century
- Informational texts
- The structure and development of standard American English
- Theory, research, and instructional practice related to language acquisition and reading
2. Rhetoric and Composition
40% of the exam
- Principles of rhetoric
- Characteristics of effective writing
- Techniques for writing arguments
- Techniques for writing informative texts
- Techniques for writing narratives
- Techniques for conducting academic research
- Techniques for speaking and listening
3. Integration of Knowledge and Understanding
20% of the exam
- A literary or informational text
- An argumentative text
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 $139 testing fee.
MTEL English Study Guide and Flashcards
Get practice questions, detailed study lessons, and complex subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts.
MTEL Scores
The MTEL English 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 English exam?
The exam contains 102 questions.
What is the time limit for the MTEL English exam?
The exam is timed at 4 hours.
What is the passing score for the MTEL English exam?
You’ll need to get a final scaled score of at least 240 to pass.
How much does the MTEL English exam cost?
The exam fee is $139.