MTTC Elementary Education (103) Exam Overview
Planning to become a certified elementary school teacher in Michigan? You’ll need to pass the MTTC Elementary Education (103) exam. But don’t stress—you’re in the right place. The following article will detail the structure of this exam and offer valuable tips and resources to help you ace it.
The MTTC Elementary Education (103) exam gauges your readiness to instruct young students. Since this exam is an important part of getting certified to teach, it’s natural to feel some anxiety about passing it. But there are ways to take charge of your testing experience. For instance, getting familiar with the exam structure can boost your confidence. A suite of effective study tools will also set you up for success on the MTTC Elementary Education (103) test.
With that in mind, let’s delve into the details of the MTTC Elementary Ed (103) exam and explore some strategies for preparation. Whether you’re taking the exam for the first time or gearing up for a retake, this article will empower you to tackle the MTTC Elementary Education test with confidence. Let’s get to work!
Overview of the MTTC Elementary Education (103) exam
Knowing what to expect can help ease your nerves on test day. Let’s take a broad look at the MTTC Elementary Education (103) exam to understand what it covers.
The MTTC Elementary Education (103) test consists of 150 multiple-choice questions, which you will have 3 hours and 30 minutes to answer. This test covers the following content areas:
- English Language Arts and World Languages
- Social Studies
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Mathematics
- Science
- Health Education and Physical Education
For more specific details on topics that may appear on the exam, check out the information provided by the official MTTC Elementary Education (103) prep guide.
Familiarizing yourself with these content expectations should help you allocate study time. As you begin preparing for the MTTC Elementary Education (103) exam, focus on areas you know will be challenging.
Your study plan might also consider how often each content domain appears on the test. For instance, Visual and Performing Arts and Health Education and Physical Education each account for only 10% of exam questions. By contrast, test takers can expect to see over twice as many questions on English Language Arts and World Languages or Mathematics alone. So if you’re already proficient in the arts and physical education, it might be logical to dedicate more study time to math and English.
Overall, a thoughtful and balanced approach to studying the six content areas listed above will set you up for success on the MTTC Elementary Education (103) exam.
Time Limit
You will have 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete the MTTC Elementary Ed (103) test.
Passing Score
The passing score for the MTTC Elementary Education exam is a 220.
Number of Questions
The MTTC Elementary Education (103) test has 150 multiple-choice questions that cover six different content areas.
Cost
The MTTC Elementary Education (103) exam costs $129. Visit the MTTC website for more information on fees and payment.
Registration Information
You can register for the MTTC Elementary Education (103) exam year round. Start the registration process by creating an account, and then choose a convenient time and place to test.
Scoring Information
Visit the MTTC website to learn what day your Elementary Education (103) scores will be posted. (Scroll down to “Score Reporting.”) Scores are generally available within six weeks of testing.
Want to learn more about MTTC Elementary Education scores? Explore the details with our MTTC Elementary Education (103) scoring guide!
Test Preparation Tips
Given its importance to your career, the Elementary Education (103) exam may feel intimidating. However, the right strategies and mindset will give you the boost you need to succeed. Here are some preparation tips to make the most of your study time:
Take a Proactive Approach
- Get familiar with the format and content domains of the MTTC Elementary Education (103) test as soon as you can. The longer you put off studying, the more anxiety you’ll feel. (Reading this article is a great start!)
- Avoid procrastination by using a calendar app to schedule study time. When you’ve made a formal appointment to study, it’s harder to skip.
- Divide your study blocks among all six content areas, and consider setting a timer to stay on track. It’s important that you be ready for every topic that appears on this exam.
Review Key Terms and Concepts
- For many test takers, the math section will be the most challenging part of the exam. If your math knowledge is rusty, be sure to go over the basics before you dig deeper into MTTC Elementary (103) content. For instance, check that you remember the order of operations, basic geometry rules, and how to manipulate decimals and fractions. You may be surprised to find what you’ve forgotten over time.
- Before you get started, you should also be aware that you cannot use a calculator on the MTTC Elementary Education exam. Therefore, you should ensure that your computation skills are up to the job. Run drills and practice doing math by hand every day. If you fail to prepare for this aspect of the MTTC Elementary Ed test, you may find yourself missing questions due to small errors.
Study Sample Questions and Take Practice Tests
- Attempt sample questions in every content area. While you may already have a sense of your strengths and weaknesses, you should test those assumptions against exam materials.
- Take full-length practice tests on a regular basis to ensure you’re comfortable with the exam’s format and timing. If you’re unable to finish tests within 3 hours and 30 minutes, avoid attempting a drastic time cut. Try gradually accelerating your pace instead.
- Use official MTTC Elementary Education (103) exam preparation materials. Studying content that aligns with the real MTTC exam will help prevent surprises on test day.
Develop Effective Study Strategies
- Whenever you miss a practice question, don’t just move on. Read the explanation behind each answer and ensure it makes sense.
- Break down your study routine into manageable chunks. It’s better to dedicate 20 minutes to studying every night than to burn out after 10 hours of nonstop prep.
- Use charts, diagrams, and flashcards to organize concepts. Visualizing complex ideas can make them easier to remember.
- Engage in active learning techniques, such as defining terms in your own words, explaining a concept to someone else, or participating in study groups. These strategies will help ensure you’re truly mastering the material, as opposed to memorizing surface details.
Important Exam Day Instructions
On the day of your MTTC Elementary Education (103) exam, read all pre-test instructions carefully. Allow ample time for travel—and verify that you’re headed to the location named in your confirmation email. Be sure to arrive 15 minutes before the time of your exam.
Check Required Items
Before your exam, double-check that you have all you need. Essential items can include:
- Valid identification: You must present a current, government-issued ID that bears your photo and signature. Examples of acceptable ID include driver’s licenses and passports.
- Sensible clothing: If you’ll be at a test site, the OAE website recommends bringing clothes that you can layer. You should also be sure to wear soft-soled shoes to keep the testing space quiet.
- Remember that you should not bring a calculator to the MTTC Elementary Education exam. Calculators cannot be used on this test.
Read the official instructions to learn more about testing policies and what to bring to the exam site.
Understand Exam Format and Instructions
To prevent confusion on test day, familiarize yourself with the format and basic instructions of the MTTC Elementary Education (103) exam well in advance. Key things to remember include:
- Time limits: Be aware of the time limit and set your pace accordingly. You will have 3 hours and 30 minutes to answer all 150 multiple-choice questions.
- Marking scheme: Make sure you know how to mark selections properly on your screen. MTTC exams take place exclusively via computer.
- Special instructions: Pay attention to any special instructions provided by the exam proctors, such as rules around breaks.
Manage Time Effectively
Time management is crucial to finishing the MTTC Elementary Education (103) exam within 3 hours and 30 minutes. The following tips can help you manage your time effectively.
- Read and understand the instructions: Take a moment at the beginning of the test to go over all instructions thoroughly. This will help prevent errors and wasted time.
- Pace yourself: On average, you’ll have a little under 1.5 minutes to spend on each question. However, try to move faster than that whenever possible, to bank time for tough questions or checking answers.
- Anticipate needs: If you feel you’ll need a bathroom break during this lengthy test, be sure to budget some extra time.
- Know when to move on: There is no guessing penalty on the MTTC Elementary Education (103) exam, so if you’re stuck on a question, it’s in your best interest to guess. You can always return to the question if you have time.
On exam day, you can use these tips to streamline your test-taking process and maximize your chances of success. Working efficiently, staying calm, and maintaining your focus are all essential to doing well on the MTTC Elementary Education (103) test.
Conclusion
The MTTC Elementary Education exam is key to becoming a certified elementary school teacher in the state of Michigan. To pass this test, you’ll need to show proficiency in English Language Arts and World Languages, Social Studies, Visual and Performing Arts, Mathematics, Health and Physical Education, and Science.
While the scope of this test is broad, don’t let that intimidate you. If you familiarize yourself with the exam structure, review all content areas, and follow our test prep tips, you can approach the MTTC Elementary Education (103) test with confidence, increasing your chances of success.
More MTTC Elementary Education (103) Resources
