Test Information Guide

Overview and Test Objectives
Field 15: Latin and Classical Humanities

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: 43–45 multiple-choice questions
  • Subarea II: 30–32 multiple-choice questions
  • Subarea III: 24–26 multiple-choice questions
  • Subarea IV: 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.

Latin passages used on the test will be drawn from the works of the following authors:

Pie chart of approximate test weighting outlined in the table below.

Test Objectives

Table outlining test content and subject weighting by sub area and objective.
Subareas Range of Objectives Approximate Test Weighting
Multiple-Choice
I Reading Comprehension of Latin 01–04 35%
II Language Structures and Language Acquisition 05–09 25%
III Cultural Understanding 10–12 20%
80%
Open-Response*
IV Integration of Knowledge and Understanding 13 20%

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

Subarea I–Reading Comprehension of Latin

Objective 0001: Demonstrate comprehension of the literal meaning of unadapted passages of Latin prose and poetry.
For example:
Objective 0002: Demonstrate comprehension based on inference from and analysis of unadapted passages of Latin prose and poetry.
For example:
Objective 0003: Translate into English or summarize unadapted phrases, sentences, or short passages of Latin prose and poetry.
For example:
Objective 0004: Identify and analyze stylistic features in unadapted passages of Latin prose and poetry.
For example:

Subarea II–Language Structures and Language Acquisition

Objective 0005: Identify and analyze Latin grammar and usage in context.
For example:
Objective 0006: Apply knowledge of the morphology, syntax, and structure of Latin.
For example:
Objective 0007: Demonstrate familiarity with Greek elements in Latin language and grammar.
For example:
Objective 0008: Use knowledge of Latin and Greek to analyze English borrowings and derivatives.
For example:
Objective 0009: Demonstrate familiarity with theoretical approaches to Latin language acquisition.
For example:

Subarea III–Cultural Understanding

Objective 0010: Understand important aspects of the history and geography of the classical world.
For example:
Objective 0011: Understand the products of the classical world and the ways in which they reflect the cultures of Greece and Rome, and their effect on later cultures.
For example:
Objective 0012: Understand the practices of the classical world, the ways in which they reflect the cultures of Greece and Rome, and their effect on later cultures.
For example:

Subarea IV–Integration of Knowledge and Understanding

Objective 0013: Prepare an organized, well-developed, and analytical response on a topic based on a given Latin text and related to one or more of the following subareas: Reading Comprehension of Latin, Language Structures and Language Acquisition, Cultural Understanding.

(Refer to objectives 0001 through 0012 and associated descriptive statements.)