MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills (101/201) Scoring: Everything You Need to Know
This exam is broken into two subtests. For a full overview of the Communication and Literacy Skills: Reading Subtest (101) exam please see our guide here, and for the Communication and Literacy Skills: Writing Subtest (201) exam, please see our guide here.
What is the MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills (101/201) Passing Score?
The Reading Subtest (101) includes 42 multiple-choice items. The multiple-choice section counts for 100 percent of the candidate’s total subtest score. A scaled score of 240 is required to pass the exam.
The Writing Subtest (201) is an open-response essay format, which also requires a scaled score of 240 to pass.
How is the MTEL 101/201 Exam Scored?
Reading Subtest (101)
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.
Writing Subtest (201)
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 Communication and Literacy Skills 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 Reading Subtest (101) and Writing Subtest (201) 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 Communication and Literacy Skills (101/201) Resources
- Start your test prep with our free Reading Subtest (101) and Writing Subest (201) practice tests.
- Looking for some study help? Check out our MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills study guide.