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Test Information Guide

Overview and Test Objectives:
Field 76: Middle School Humanities

Test Overview

Table outlining the test format, number of questions, time, and passing score.
Format Computer-based test (CBT); 100 multiple-choice questions, 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 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
1 Literature and Language 01–03 25%
2 Expressive and Receptive Communication 04–06 15%
3 History 07–09 20%
4 Geography, Government, and Civic Life 10–12 20%
80%
Open-Response
5 Integration of Knowledge and Understanding of English 13 10%
6 Integration of Knowledge and Understanding of History 14 10%
20%

 

Subarea 1–Literature and Language

0001—Apply knowledge of literature that represents a range of perspectives reflecting diversity of ability; gender; race; ethnicity; sexual orientation; nation of origin; religion; age; and cultural, economic, and geographic backgrounds.

For example:

0002—Apply knowledge of informational texts.

For example:

0003—Apply knowledge of theory, research, and instructional practice related to language acquisition and reading.

For example:

 

Subarea 2–Expressive and Receptive Communication

0004—Apply knowledge of the writing process and techniques for writing arguments, informative/explanatory texts, and narratives.

For example:

0005—Apply knowledge of techniques for conducting academic research.

For example:

0006—Apply knowledge of techniques for speaking and/or expressive communication and for listening and/or receptive communication in a variety of contexts.

For example:

 

Subarea 3–History

0007—Apply knowledge of major social, cultural, political, economic, and technological developments in ancient to early modern societies (to approximately the mid-nineteenth century CE) around the world.

For example:

0008—Apply knowledge of major political, economic, social, and cultural developments in the history, prior to 1825, of what is now the United States.

For example:

0009—Apply knowledge of major political, economic, social, and cultural developments in the history of the United States from 1825 to the present.

For example:

 

Subarea 4–Geography, Government, and Civic Life

0010—Apply knowledge of physical and human geography across the following regions: Western Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, North America, Central America, Caribbean Islands, South America, Central and South Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania.

For example:

0011—Apply knowledge of government and civic life.

For example:

0012—Apply knowledge of the guiding principles and instructional practices of effective history and social science education.

For example:

 

Subarea 5–Integration of Knowledge and Understanding of English

In addition to answering multiple-choice items, candidates will prepare a written response to an assignment addressing content from objectives 0001�0006, which are summarized in the objective below.

0013—Prepare an organized, developed written analysis of a given literary text.

For example:

 

Subarea 6–Integration of Knowledge and Understanding of History

In addition to answering multiple-choice items, candidates will prepare a written response to an assignment addressing content from objectives 0007�0012, which are summarized in the objective below.

0014—Prepare an organized, developed written analysis of the information in given primary and secondary historical sources surrounding a discipline-specific inquiry question related to U.S. history, world history, or civics.

For example: