Understanding the MTEL History Test Content
History is one of the important subjects that students learn in school. In History classes, students gain knowledge about significant events that happened throughout the world in the past. Important causes and revolutions which led to prominent changes in the culture and lifestyle of a specific race or entire humanity are taught in History classes as well. Also, in order to become responsible citizens in the future, it is essential for growing children to understand how these social changes, over a period of time, have influenced the present world scenario.
Hence, to become a History teacher, you need to have strong subject knowledge in History as well as the required communication skills to teach and interact with students effectively. That is what exactly the History exam expects of a prospective candidate who desires to procure the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure in History.
It is good to understand the History test structure and content thoroughly before you begin your test preparation so that you can frame a realistic and effective test preparation schedule.
MTEL History Test Structure
The History test consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and 2 open-response questions. The test includes a few sub-topics called as the subareas. Each subarea consists of well-defined test objectives. The test objectives detail the subject specifications from which test questions are framed. Questions follow the test objectives in multiple-choice format. Each question is provided with four answer options from which you need to choose the most appropriate answer.
The open-response questions require you to prepare a written composition by integrating your analytical thinking skills with your knowledge in the subareas mentioned. The total duration of the test is four hours out of which each writing assignment requires approximately 20 - 30 minutes for preparation.
MTEL History Test Content
Four subareas are included in the History test. The details of the subareas are as follows:
- U.S. History:
This section accounts for 30 percent of the test and covers major events and social cultures in the American history like:
- Native cultures of North America
- European exploration
- Revolutionary War and Jacksonian era
- The Civil War
- American history between 1877 to 1920
- Emergence of the United States as a world power
- U.S. history from 1920 to the present
- World History:
The second section makes 25 percent of the test. The major topics covered in this section are:
- Roots of Western civilization (Prehistory to A.D. 500)
- Growth of agricultural and commercial civilizations ( A.D. 500 to 1500)
- The Global Age ( A.D. 1450 to 1750)
- The Age of Revolutionary Change ( A.D. 1700 to 1914)
- The Era of the Great Wars ( A.D. 1900 to 1945)
- World history from 1945 to the present
- Influence of Science and Technology on the development of civilization
- Geography, Government and Economics:
This section accounts for 25 percent of the test. Prominent topics included in this section are:
- Major physical features of the world
- Political systems
- U.S. government, structure and political system
- U.S. economic systems
- Integration of Knowledge and Understanding:
This section consists of two open-response questions pertaining to one or more of the other three subareas. Your written answers need to explain your understanding of the question and your knowledge in the subject.
Resources for the MTEL History Test Content
You can access information regarding the MTEL History test from the following links:
Test Objectives: Details of the History test objectives can be obtained through this link: http://www.mtel.nesinc.com/PDFs/MTELobjs_newfld06.pdf
Practice Tests: Practice tests for the History section of the exam can be downloaded as a PDF document through this link: http://www.mtel.nesinc.com/PDFs/MA_FLD006_PRACTICE_TEST.pdf
Test Information Booklet: Elaborate information on the History test structure, subareas, test objectives, topics covered, number of questions and sample questions can be downloaded by following this link: http://www.mtel.nesinc.com/PDFs/06_HISTORY.pdf
The level of interest that a student develops towards History and Social Sciences subjects in school mainly depends upon the kind of teaching and interaction of the History teacher. A sincere and dedicated preparation for the exam, in turn, prepares you to become an effective educator in History.