1. EDUCATE
YOURSELF ABOUT STATE REQUIREMENTS
2. ATTEND MTEL PREPARATION WORKSHOPS
Preparation workshops in several different formats are offered prior to teacher test administration. Communication and Literacy Skills Test (CLS) workshops are offered by the School of Education, Educator Licensure Advisory Council, and the Division of Continuing Education. Please contact individual programs for Subject Matter Test preparation and information.
| OVERVIEW
WORKSHOP |
Designed for those seeking essential information and introductory discussion of the CLS portion of the MTEL. |
| MULTI-SESSION WORKSHOPS | Designed for those seeking intensive preparation for the Reading and Writing subtests of the CLS. |
| INTENSIVE SATURDAY WORKSHOP | Designed to offer intensive preparation to those who cannot easily attend workshops offered during the week. |
3. GATHER MATERIALS AND READ THOROUGHLY
Pick up the MTEL Registration Bulletin in the School of Education (Room 130, Furcolo Hall) or view online. We recommend that you read the entire Bulletin BEFORE filling out the application.
View the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure Information Book and Study Guide. This booklet contains information on the CLS test objectives, sample responses with examples of "weak" and "strong" responses, and sample questions for the Subject Matter Test.
Order the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure Subject Test Guides for your subject area. Sample volumes, test objectives, and a form to order both the Information Book and Study Guide and Subject Test Guides are available online at www.mtel.nesinc.com.
4. BE WISE ABOUT REGISTERING FOR TESTS
Register for the CLS and the Subject Matter Test SEPARATELY so that you are not taking both in the same day.
Candidates for admission to teacher education programs should plan on taking the CLS Test well ahead of when they will be applying for admission to a program. The MTEL is given five times a year. (See the MTEL Registration Bulletin for test dates.) Scores are sent out six weeks after the test administration. Allow for time to retake the test.
Register
for the Subject Matter Test.
5. PRACTICE TAKING SAMPLE TESTS
Gather similar sample tests to practice your test-taking skills: the MTEL Information Booklet, GED test preparation booklets, similar tests from other states, exercises from grammar and style books, and the GRE subject matter tests. Also, many colleges in Massachusetts have test information available on their websites -- Framingham State, Wheelock College, and Worcester State.
Visit
this website to take practice tests in reading and writing similar to
some exercises on the MTEL: www.tasp.nesinc.com
6. SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A MEMBER OF THE MTEL ADVISING TEAM TO COMPLETE A SKILLS ASSESSMENT AND/OR INDIVIDUAL STUDY PLAN
Contact
Margaret Boyko by e-mail at margaretboyko@comcast.net
7.
FORM A PEER SUPPORT GROUP FOR TEST PREPARATION
8.
COMMUNICATE WITH FACULTY OR THE EDUCATOR LICENSURE OFFICE in the School
of Education (Room 130, Furcolo Hall, School of Education) IF YOU HAVE
ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS.
For more information, contact the Educator Licensure Office in the School of Education Room (130, Furcolo Hall) at UMass Amherst; Telephone: 413-545-2701. To contact test administrators directly, call (413) 256-2892, fax (413) 256-6493
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