M.T.E.L.

Important Tips
How To Prepare
If You Fail

Tips on Taking the Test

  1. FIRST READ THE ESSAY QUESTIONS and try to brainstorm some answers. THEN go to the multiple choice (you may pick up ideas from the multiple choice for your essays.).

  2. ALWAYS READ THE QUESTIONS FIRST BEFORE YOU READ THE PASSAGE!!! Roughly half of the multiple-choice questions involve reading and responding to lengthy passages (nearly all of which are primary sources). READ THE QUESTION BEFORE YOU READ THE PASSAGE!!! Then read the passage with the question in mind.

  3. TAKE YOUR TIME. DO NOT RUSH. There are many long passages. These will become tiresome! But continue reading slowly and carefully. Also, there are many questions with confusing answers, such as: I and IV, B and C. All of the above. None of the above. Stay focused. There will also be several maps.

  4. GO BACK AND REVIEW QUESTIONS YOU WERE UNSURE OF. Your future depends on this test!! Use every moment you have!

  5. ESSAYS. This is the section that WSC students have the most difficulty with.

    1. Brainstorm and outline your ideas before you begin writing.

    2. Form Matters!! You must have at least a 5 paragraph essay (minimum). Clear introductory paragraph, body with three paragraphs (minimum), and a concluding paragraph. But it is much better if you have 6-8 paragraphs!

    3. Write something! Do not leave them blank!! Even if you have NO IDEA, write something. No matter how far-fetched, you will at least get some credit.

How to Prepare for the Test

The MTEL test in history contains 60-80 multiple-choice questions and two essays. You have four hours to complete the test. It is divided between U.S. and World history, with some Mass. history and some general social studies. Warning: It is a long test. Roughly half of the multiple-choice questions involve reading and responding to lengthy passages (nearly all of which are primary sources).Approximately half of our students pass the test the 1st time and half fail. Students who fail usually pass it the 2nd time (by then they are familiar with the test format). BUT some students get nervous and do not pass until the 4rth or 5th attempt. Do not despair or give up!

The best way to prepare for the test is to:

  1. REVIEW YOUR CLASS NOTES: Especially from your intro courses in U.S. History, Western Experience, World History, and Intro to Asia, Africa, MidEast.

  2. REVIEW THE MASS. CURRICULUM FRAMEWORKS for U.S. and WORLD HISTORY. They provide a good, general outline of all areas of history.

  3. REVIEW HIGH SCHOOL OR 8TH GRADE TEXTBOOKS in U.S. History and World History. College textbooks have too many details. You want to be able to quickly review key features of all major periods and events in U.S. and world history. DO NOT GET BOGGED DOWN in memorizing famous people, leaders, kings, etc. You must be familiar with overall characteristics of different civilizations and events during different time periods.

  4. VIDEOS. The Library has excellent video series that can help you review:

    1. "Biography of America" series E 17. B56 2000 (13 parts)

    2. U.S. History (Schlessinger Video Production) ERC section E175.8.U54

  5. BARRON's REVIEW GUIDES include short summaries and practice multiple-choice questions, but they do not have lengthy reading passages such as those used on the MTEL. (Library)

    Barron's Review Course Series
    Let's Review: U.S. History & Government ed. John McGeehan & Morris Hall

    Barron's Review Course Series
    Let's Review: Global History & Geography ed. Mark Willner

    Barron's Regents Exams & Answers: Global History & Geography
    Barron's Regents Exams & Answers: U.S. History & Government

  6. MTEL OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.doe.mass.edu/mtel/ Includes a list of resources and commercially-developed books/ materials for test preparation.

If you have not passed the MTEL in time to student teach...

Here are some options:

  1. Leave of Absence: Take a leave of absence for the next semester, keep taking the test, maybe do some substitute teaching, then come back and student teach after you've passed the test. Graduate the end of the next semester.

  2. Graduate on Time: Take electives to graduate on time with 120 credits. You could include a 6 credit Community Service in a school setting or complete a minor (see Carlton Pickron for a community service placement). Then see options #3, 4, and 5.

  3. Graduate but still return to student teach in the fall. Take courses during the next semester in order to officially graduate, then after you've passed the MTEL come back in the fall for an extra semester to do your student teaching. You only have to pay DGCE tuition (much less than the day program) for 12 credits. (If you come back the semester right after you graduate you don't have to pay the extra $35 DGCE application fee.)

  4. Graduate then get a job in an accredited parochial or private school (these schools don't require teacher certification). Then after you've passed the MTEL you can use your job as your student teaching placement (officially it's now called an "internship.") At WSC you'd have to pay DGCE tuition for 6 credits, but it's much less than the day tuition and you get your regular salary at the same time.

    Note: There must be a licensed history teacher at the school to serve as your cooperating teacher - which is usually not a problem. Warning: Starting salary may be as low as $16,000. You could also try to find a sixteen-week, long-term substitute teaching position in history in a public school. This could count for your "internship," but the possibility is very unlikely.

  5. Graduate then get a "Preliminary Certification." After you pass the MTEL apply directly to the state for certification (through their Mass. DOE Web Page, not through WSC). The state can issue a Preliminary Certification even if you haven't done student teaching. However, it is very hard to get a history teaching job with just a preliminary certification and eventually you will still have to go through an internship to get your "initial" certification. In other words, pay tuition at WSC or any accredited college for 6 credits of internship/ student teaching.

    NOTE: If you graduate without student teaching you must have the "Cert Code" removed from your official transcript (see the Dean of Education). (This won't affect your ability to earn licensure in the future.)