This exam is broken out into two subtests.
For a full overview of the General Curriculum Subtest 1: Language Arts and History/Social Science (178) exam, please see our guide here.
For a full overview of the General Curriculum Subtest 2: Mathematics, Science, and Technology/Engineering (278) please see our guide here.
What is the MTEL General Curriculum (178/278) Passing Score?
Each subtest requires a scaled score of 240 to pass each subtest. Both subtests must be passed in order for the candidate to be considered as passing overall.
How is the MTEL178/278 Exam Scored?
Multiple Choice Sections
The exam is a scaled score test. Each question on the exam is worth 1 raw point, but at the end of the exam, all raw points are added together and then scaled for the test version difficulty.
Open Response Sections
Open-response items are scored holistically by two or more qualified educators. Scorers receive training in scoring procedures and must meet training expectations in order to participate in scoring activities. Scorers judge the overall effectiveness of each response. That is, scorers are trained to make overall judgments, not to indicate specific errors.
A score is assigned to each open-response item based on a scale that describes various levels of performance, from weak to thorough. If a candidate’s response is blank, unrelated to the assignment, illegible, or incomprehensible, the candidate will receive no points for that item, and may or may not meet the qualifying score for the test, depending on performance on the other open-response items and multiple-choice items. Information regarding evaluation of candidate responses to open-response items can be found in the test information guide for each field.
When Will I Get My Score?
2-5 weeks after your exam. See here for specific dates/testing cycle reports.
How Do I Understand My Score Report?
Your report will show you which areas you did well in, and which ones may need work. Take careful note and adjust your study habits if you require a retake of the exam.
What if I Need to Retake the MTEL General Curriculum Exam?
If you happen to fail the exam, don’t fret, it happens all the time. To retake the exam, you will just need to wait 45 days and pay the exam fee again. No problem! There is no limit to how many times you can retake the exam.
Final Thoughts
The General Curriculum Subtest 1: Language Arts and History/Social Science (178) and Subtest 2: Mathematics, Science, and Technology/Engineering (278) can be tough, but they shouldn’t feel daunting. With the right preparation you can go into the tests feeling confident, and confidence pays dividends. Please feel free to peruse our resources and put them to full use- we want you to succeed! Good luck and please reach out to us if you have any questions or if we can help in any way.
More MTEL General Curriculum (178/278) Resources
