For the General Curriculum Mathematics Test (03)
Below are some ways for you to practice multiple-choice questions for the Mathematics Subtest of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure General Curriculum Test. (This is the test for elementary teachers and K-8 special education teachers; there are separate mathematics tests for elementary math specialists, middle and high school teachers).
The online practice questions give immediate feedback, including hints and explanations. The paper and pencil tests have the same number of questions as the actual test with the topics in the same order, and with answers at the end. The test bank includes 124 questions, ordered by objective, with answers at the end.
Online Tests:
Random Questions: Can be any topic on the test, in any order; choose the number of questions (there are 45 multiple-choice questions on the MTEL).
Questions on a Specific Test Objective:
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Objective 0016: Number System and Place Value (13 questions)
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Objective 0017: Integers, Fractions, Decimals, Percents (13 questions)
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Objective 0018: Number Theory (13 questions)
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Objective 0019: Operations on Numbers (15 questions)
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Objective 0020: Algebra as Generalized Arithmetic (10 questions)
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Objective 0021: Concept of Function (9 questions)
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Objective 0022: Linear Functions/Equations (11 questions)
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Objective 0023: Measurement (12 questions)
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Objective 0024: Geometry (14 questions)
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Objective 0025: Descriptive Statistics (6 questions)
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Objective 0026: Probability (8 questions)
Paper and Pencil Practice Tests:
Test Bank:
For thoughts on interpreting your scores on these questions, see here.
If you find a mistake or have comments on a particular question, please contact me (please copy and paste at least part of the question into the form, as the numbers change depending on how quizzes are displayed). General comments can be left below. Instructors, feel free to use and modify these questions for any non-profit educational purpose; see terms of use.
For more of my thoughts on this test, see this post.
Tags: MTEL
So glad i found this website the night before i am taking the Math 03 MTEL. Wish there were more advertisement for your site. Ada
Good luck on the test! If you know any places to advertise the site, please feel free.
i think number 42 is wrong on the answer key and i really don’t understand the point of question 41 on the 124 question practice test. email me if u agree or disagree
jon b, I do disagree and will email you. If anyone else has similar concerns, I suggest looking at the interactive version for objective 0019, http://debraborkovitz.com/0019-operations-on-numbers/; they are questions 2 and 3, and there are more detailed explanations when you click on various responses.
Awesome! Thanks for putting these together.
You’re welcome (sorry missed this comment earlier). Glad you like them.
Hi there. Thanks for this practice test. I’m taking my math mtel next Friday and am not good at math…to say the least. Any tips on the essay portion of the test? I’m working through the practice questions for the multiple choice but not sure what to do about the essay. Thanks!
Kate, one suggestion is to look at some of the open response questions on the elementary MCAS tests; I think they show a variety of levels of response. For the lower levels, think about how you would explain the child’s misconceptions, and then how you would show another way to solve the problem that adds insight. You might get some ideas from the stronger solutions.
Remember that the essay is 10% of the test, so budget time accordingly (if you’re worried about time, it’s good to take the two parts of the general curriculum test separately if you can afford to).
Good luck!
Hi Debra,
Thanks so much. I didnt see this response so I actually just emailed you, sorry! Fortunately, Ive already taken the multi subject part, so I only have the math left. Still stressing over the short answer, though! For the multiple choice questions, have you found that students who use only your practice questions for a guide do well? Or is it with combination of different sources? To put it more simply, do you think if I can do pretty well on the practice questions that I would be okay on the actual exam? Thanks so much, I appreciate your help!
Sorry to bug you again! I am having trouble with permutations/combinations and a bit of probability. Im having a hard time figuring out when to use a permutation and when to use a combination? I am struggling on numbers 122-124. If you could send me an email that would be awesome. Thank you, again!
Kate, I wrote a bit about interpreting scores here: http://debraborkovitz.com/2012/04/interpreting-mtel/. I just wrote the questions, I don’t actually teach the MTEL prep classes, so I don’t have much better information than is here, sorry. Do feel free to let me know how helpful you thought these questions were; they are still relatively new.
Here’s a good link on permutations and combinations: http://www.mathsisfun.com/combinatorics/combinations-permutations.html
I am taking middle school math and science on Saturday would this information be helpful for me or do you have other information that will be helpful
Mauritha, I don’t know that much about the test you’re taking. I think there is likely some overlap, but the middle school math tests have a lot more algebra on them than the elementary. You might take a look at the DOE middle school math practice test: http://www.mtel.nesinc.com/PDFs/MA_FLD047_PRACTICE_TEST.pdf (I don’t see a math/sci practice test up). Keep in mind that these practice tests includes some questions that were rejected from the real test because they are too convoluted.
Good luck!
Hi, this website is great! I was wondering though, do you have any practice MTEL Math essay question either on the site (that I can’t find for some reason) or not on the site that you could either post or email me? I am taking the MTEL Saturday and would like to practice some essay questions if I could.
Thank you so much!
Lissa
Lissa, glad you like the site. Sorry, I don’t have any open-response practice questions up. One of my colleagues has used open response questions from the elementary MCAS test. Look up the sample responses on the rubrics, and pick ones that are level 2 or so. Then try to explain the child’s mistake and another way to approach the problem.
Good luck with your test Saturday!