Lots of factors can influence how hard a test seems to the test-taker. Academic background, professional experience, the amount of preparation, and test-day conditions can all affect the test difficulty. In general, passing rates for MTTC exams are high, around 70 to 80%. However, this does NOT mean that the test is easy. Effective preparation is the best way to ensure a passing score.
Follow these steps to pass the MTTC:
Make an online account at the MTTC website to register for the MTTC. In the registration portal, you can select which subject area exam to take, the test location, and the appointment time. Full testing fees must be paid during registration.
Learning about the test is the easiest way to improve confidence and increase your score. Information such as how the MTTC is scored, what kinds of questions are on the test, and retake policies can be found in the MTTC guides on 240 Tutoring and on the MTTC website.
A study plan is a schedule for reviewing test competency and working practice problems. Start early and set achievable goals to stay on track. 240 Tutoring’s MTTC study plan can help with this!
Once you have your study plan, it is important to stick to it. Use study guides to review material from each test section 2-3 times before test day. Studying should also include time for working example problems from each topic and a full-length practice test.
Exam day can be stressful, and making a test day routine ahead of time will allow your mind to stay focused on passing the test. The test day routine should include organizing clothes and materials beforehand, rereading test policies, double-checking the test appointment time and location, and eating a healthy breakfast.
Congratulations, it’s time to celebrate!
There are lots of ways to find study resources for the MTTC. Using a comprehensive study guide can help make sure you are using up-to-date practice tests and material. The MTTC website also has information about each subject area test, including a breakdown of test competencies. If you studied these subjects in school, you can also use textbooks, past lectures, and academic sources to study the material for each competency.
The best resources to use for the MTTC include test information, study guides, and practice problems. Learning information about scoring, registration, and the test structure is an easy but important step toward passing the MTTC. Study guides review each topic that is likely to be covered on the MTTC. Practice problems should be targeted to the specific MTTC subject area to ensure that question prompts and content are similar to those in the real exam. You can find all of these resources compiled in the study guide for the MTTC.
You can find study guides for the MTTC here. 240 Tutoring MTTC study guides are written to thoroughly cover all the key concepts on the MTTC with materials and practice questions based on the actual test. Simply select your subject area to get started. The MTTC website also has some preparation materials for test-takers, including sample questions, test objectives, and general test information.
Study guides compile all the key concepts from each test competency into a succinct document. They often include flowcharts, bulleted lists, and graphics that organize information in a way that is easier to remember for the test. By contrast, studying from a textbook or lecture is less structured. Where study guides help to guide your studying with a test-specific outline, studying from the raw material risks wasting time on extra information that will not appear on the test and failing to cover concepts that will be on the test.
Here are a few helpful tips to guide your process:
It is important to review each study guide 2-3 times before test day. The second and third reviews of a study guide can be faster than the first read-through and can help with memory and understanding. Always make sure to resolve any new questions or confusion before moving on to the next topic.
The best way to study for the MTTC is by building a study plan and sticking to it!
A study plan should include time to review each test competency, learn about the test, work practice problems, and complete full-length practice tests. Study plans are individual. Your study plan will depend on your personal schedule and your individual strengths and weaknesses in the test material.
Follow your study plan with regular and effective study sessions. Short intervals of dedicated study time will reduce distractions and improve focus compared to large blocks of unstructured study time.
Here is an example of a productive study schedule:
Complete study guides by actively reading the content and expanding on any concepts that are new and difficult. Don’t forget to learn about the test and work plenty of practice problems while studying.
In general, you should start studying 2-3 months before the exam. This amount of time ensures that you can make an effective study plan and meet achievable goals without waiting too long to take the test and forgetting important content. More time also gives you flexibility in case of an unforeseen schedule change. Remember that an effective study plan should include time to learn about the structure of the MTTC test, fully review each test competency or subject area, and complete one or two full-length practice tests before test day.
Do NOT cram for the MTTC. Cramming takes a toll on physical and mental health, is not effective for learning, and will likely result in a failing score. When you start studying early, it is easier to build regular study time into your everyday routine.
Each person’s study plan is unique to their individual strengths and weaknesses, so only you know how much you should study. In general, quality is more effective than quantity. Designating more time to some topics and less to others is okay. It’s also okay to adjust your study plan as you go. For example, after taking a practice test you might realize that your knowledge of earth and space science topics is rustier than it should be, so you could add extra sessions on this topic to your weekly plan.
You should study as much as you need to in order to:
Let’s get started smashing those study plan goals!
Check out all of our MTTC study resources.
Aubrey is a graduate student studying chemical contaminants in marine food webs. She is interested in all things science-y and aims to improve scientific communication by making concepts accessible and fun for interdisciplinary audiences. Aubrey loves to swim, and she once visited all 34 public pools in her Texas hometown in one day.