MTEL COMMUNICATION AND LITERACY TEST

The most important step in studying for the Communication and Literacy Skills portion of MTEL is to read the Test Information Booklet carefully and thoroughly. This guide, published by the Massachusetts Department of Education (online), provides examples of both correct and incorrect responses to sample test questions. By comparing the correct vs. incorrect responses and thinking critically about examples, students can gain helpful insight into the assessment criteria used by scorers of the test. Through this exercise, students can also assess their own areas of weakness in respect to test questions.

The second most helpful study resource is The Official TASP Test Study Guide which is a review book designed for a basic skills test used in Texas also designed by NES. Some of the examples from the Massachusetts Test Information Booklet have also appeared in this book. This study guide provides more sample exercises. You can order this book online from Amazon.com.

Also, click here to view a list of study resources available at the UMass Library. This wonderfully helpful list was compiled by Lori Mestre, Coordinator of Instruction and Curriculum in the University Library. She has included the call number so that you can easily locate the resources in our library!
 

General Information

Communication and Literacy Skills test objectives (Room 130, Furcolo Hall, School of Education)


Practice Tests

These books are available at most large bookstores, or in the reference section of the University Library. Some are also available online at amazon.com.  

  • The Official TASP Study Guide
  • SAT Study Guides: most useful for practicing reading comprehension
  • GRE General Test Study Guides: more reading comprehension practice
  • SAT II: Writing Study Guides: excellent practice tests for essay writing as well as reading comprehension
     

Grammar and Usage References

High School grammar textbooks

Praxis II: NTE Core Battery, National Teacher Examinations Preparation Guide. Lincoln: Cliffs Notes, 1989. By Jerry Bobrow. Provides general communication skills information, as well as practice tests in different subject areas.

Writing: Grammar Usage, and Style Cliffs Quick Review. Lincoln: Cliffs Notes, 1997. By Jean Eggenschwiler. Provides detailed definitions of the parts of speech, sentence structure, and basic grammar rules; detailed writing information including tips on organizing, outlining, and generating thesis statements. Great reference book, not many practice exercises. Best used as complement for TASP, GRE, or SAT II Writing study guides.

Grammar Smart: A Guide to Perfect Usage. New York: Princeton Review Publishing, 1996. Detailed grammar review including quick quizzes, drills, writing information and an extensive glossary.

A Writer's Reference. New York: St. Martins Press, 1992. By Diane Hacker.

Woe Is I: The Grammarphobe's Guide to Better English in Plain English . New York: Riverhead Books, 1996. By Patricia O'Conner. Offers a comprehensive grammar review and tips about writing in a humorous but academic manner. Great reference book, not many practice exercises.

REA's Handbook of English Grammar, Style, and Writing. Piscataway: Research and Education Association, 1998. Grammar and writing review. Simple review of essay writing skills including outlining, paragraph structure, introduction/conclusion. Simple directions for writing the five paragraph essay.

Kaplan's Grammar Power. New York: Kaplan Books, 1997. By Jane Schwartz. Includes both grammar and usage review, and practice exercises. Comprehensive writing section including review of essay rules and conventions such as the use of parallel structure, active voice vs. passive voice, etc. Extensive glossary of useful tools. Reference book with lots of exercises.

Online text of Strunk's classic text Elements of Style with chapters on rules of usage and principles of composition.
 

MTEL Subject Area Test

The Subject Test covers all of the information you have learned in the classes in your major. For STEP students, it can be helpful to review the Standard I advising form for your subject area to remind you of the range of knowledge expected within your subject area. For Early Childhood and Elementary Education, it is more helpful to review the test objectives and review test preparation materials for Praxis II: NTE Core Battery and Multiple Subjects Objectives. Other study references include:

  • MTEL Subject Area Test Objectives (available in Room 130, Furcolo Hall, School of Education)
  • Praxis Subject Test Study Guide (available from Praxis)
  • GRE Subject Area Test Practice Tests (Baron's, Kaplan, etc.)
  • Praxis II: NTE Core Battery: NTE Preparation Guide (see above) 


Online Resources to Prepare for the MTEL

Advanced Placement Subjects offers sample multiple choice and essay questions for a variety of subjects. Also included are answers to multiple choice questions (with rationales) and a scoring guide for the essays.

Online text of Strunk's classic text Elements of Style with chapters on rules of usage and principles of composition.

Vocabulary Workshop provides information about prefixes, roots, suffixes, vocabulary exercises and more.

Merriam-Webster Online dictionary and thesaurus on the web.

Online Writing Labs links to writing labs available online. The Purdue OWL is particuarly useful.