MTLE Content Exams
Exams required by major
Find out which exams align with your major.
All first time applicants for a Minnesota Teaching License and all individuals adding a licensure field to an existing Minnesota license must complete a content exam for their respective field. Beginning September 1, 2010, candidates must take the MTLE content exam.
MN Professional Educators and Licensing and Standards Board: Minnesota Teacher Licensure Testing Information
Keep scrolling to reach information about registering for your exams.
When to take the exams
- IESE and UECH students should take immediately following block 3
- STEP students should take either during block 1 or immediately following block 2. Students prefer to take these exams near when the majority of their content courses are finished. If you have the majority of your content coursework is finished when starting block I, some students prefer to take the content exams early in their block 1 while the content knowledge is still fresh in their minds.
Exam Cost: Varies by exam
Find your exam and cost online.
Where can I take the Exams
Duluth Area:
Suite 100
North Shore Bank Place
Hermantown, Minnesota 55811
United States
Superior, Wisconsin 54880
United States
- Communication Arts/Literature (Grades 5–12)
- Early Childhood Education (Birth to Grade 3)
- Elementary Education (Grades K–6)
- Essential Academic Skills (EAS) Subtest I: Reading
- Essential Academic Skills (EAS) Subtest II: Writing
- Essential Academic Skills (EAS) Subtest III: Mathematics
- Mathematics (Grades 5–12)
- Social Studies (Grades 5–12)
Find another testing center in Minnesota or Wisconsin:
Locate a Testing Center, select "Exam Name your are taking", Scroll down to "Testing Sites," Search for your exam and follow the prompts.
Extended Computer Based Testing Sessions
The MN Professional Educator Licensing & Standards Board and the Pearson Testing Center has extending testing sessions available for ANY student. Standard MTLE test sessions are designed to allow sufficient time to complete the test. Examinees may find the allotted testing time to be more than enough to complete the test, even if they have needed extra time on other tests they have taken in the past.
Extended testing sessions are also available for all tests in the MTLE program. All MTLE Content exams taken in an extended computer based testing session receive double time.
Learn more about how to register for extended testing sessions.
Requesting Alternative Testing Arrangements
Alternative testing arrangements that are reasonable in the context of this licensing test and supported by documentation may be provided for
- examinees with disabilities who would not be able to take the test under standard conditions,
- nursing mothers, and
- individuals for whom the allotted testing time is not enough for completing the test.
Learn more about the process for requesting accommodations based on individual circumstances.
How to Register for the Exams
Exam Registration Guide
Registration is done online through MTLE. Be sure to indicate UMD as a recipient of your scores.
You can register for your exams online at anytime and must take your exams within a year of registering. For example, you could go online and register today and schedule your exams for 3 months from now. If it gets closer to the test date and you are not as ready as you would like you can reschedule as long as it is rescheduled at least 48 hours prior to your test date.
Score Release Information
A scaled score is provided immediately after testing. Your official score report will be emailed to you, if you requested this service when you registered, according to the score release schedule. Score reports are also posted to your account for 2 years as PDF documents, which you may view, print, and save for your records. Learn more on the MTLE Scores webpage.
Score Report
Passing score is a 240. Learn more about how to understand your testing results.
It is very important that you keep a copy of your official score report for your records (save it to your Google Drive, in your email, or print a copy, etc.)
- Be sure to also choose UMD as a recipient of your scores.
If you did not save a .pdf report of your scores and did not put UMD as a recipient of your scores you can request a score report.
Exam Retakes
Teacher candidates who do not pass an exam must wait a minimum of 30 days prior to retaking an exam. Teacher candidates can schedule ahead 30 days out from the failed exam date. If a teacher candidate fails an exam two or more times they may be eligible for a retake fee voucher. Vouchers are emailed within two to four weeks of the score report date.
Exam Retake Voucher
Beginning with tests taken on August 23, 2021, examinees who have failed a good-faith attempt on a subtest two or more times may be eligible for a fee voucher for subsequent attempts. You will receive your voucher via email within two to four weeks of the score report date.
Military Financial Assistance Voucher
PELSB has a limited amount of financial assistance vouchers available to examinees who are in the military. Please email PELSB directly to request a military financial assistance voucher, [email protected]
MTLE Exam Structure and Exam Preparation
You'll need to take the content test that corresponds to your licensure area. All tests except elementary education include two subtests. Elementary education content tests include three subtests.
Accessing Mometrix eLibrary from home:
- Try a different internet browser
- Try the link from the library's website: Mometrix eLibrary
- Check out the library's Connect from Off Campus webpage
If you are having difficulty accessing Mometrix please email Kayleen Jones.
Learn about the Pearson Testing Center:
- How to Prepare for Your Teacher Licensure Test
- Pearson Professional Centers Tour
- Computer-Based Testing Tutorials
- Test Taking Strategies
Test Preparation
- The UMD Library has exam preparation materials available for some exams (study guides and practice test), see if your required exams are available.
- A study guide reference (SMSU MTLE Project)
- Consider taking a MOOC on your area of weakness
- Type in your subject of struggle
MTLE Content and Pedagogy Exam Handout
Click on your major below to learn about your required MTLE Content Exams and Exam Preparation
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Art Education
Required Exams:
- Visual Arts: Sub-test 1
- Visual Arts: Sub-test 2
Exam Preparation Resources:
- Visual Arts Exam Info
- Visual Arts Exam Content & Free Sample Questions
- Visual Arts Exam Prep Resources
- Quizlet
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Integrated Elementary & Special Education
Required Exams:
- Elementary Education: Sub-test 1
- Elementary Education: Sub-test 2
- Elementary Education: Sub-test 3
- SpEd Core Skills: Sub-test 1
- SpEd Core Skills: Sub-test 2
Exam Preparation Resources:
Elementary Ed Exam Preparation Resources
- Elementary Education Exam Info
- Elementary Education Sample Questions & Exam Content
- Elementary Education Exam Prep Resources
- Quizlet
- Mometrix eLibrary (requires U of M Login)
SpEd Core Skills Exam Preparation Resources
- UMD Library 24 hour checkout ElEd Content Study Guide & Practice Exam
- UMD Library Guide MTLE Preparation Materials (Check out with Ucard at main floor circulation desk)
- Special Education Core Skills Exam Info
- Special Education Sample Questions & Exam Content
- Special Education Core Skills Exam Prep Resources
- UMD Library 24 hour checkout Special Education Core Skills Content Study Guide & Practice Exam
- UMD Library Guide MTLE Preparation Materials (Check out with Ucard at main floor circulation desk)
- Quizlet
- Mometrix eLibrary (requires U of M Login)
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Music Education (Instrumental)
Required Exams:
- Instrumental & Vocal Classroom Music: Subtest 1
- Instrumental Classroom Music: Subtest 2
Exam Preparation Resources:
- Instrumental Classroom Music Exam Info
- Instrumental Classroom Sample Questions & Exam Content
- Instrumental Classroom Music Exam Prep Resources
- Mometrix eLibrary (requires U of M Login)
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Music Education (Vocal)
Required Exams:
- Instrumental & Vocal Classroom Music: Subtest 1
- Vocal Classroom Music: Subtest 2
Exam Preparation Resources:
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Physical Education
Required Exams:
- Physical Education: Subtest 1
- Physical Education: Subtest 2
Exam Preparation Resources:
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Public Health-School
Required Exams:
- Health: Subtest 1
- Health: Subtest 2
Exam Preparation Resources:
- Health Education Exam Info
- Health Education Exam Sample Questions & Exam Content
- Health Education Exam Prep Resources
- Quizlet
- Mometrix eLibrary (requires U of M Login)
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Teaching Communication Arts & Literature
Required Exams:
- Comm. Arts. & Lit.: Subtest 1
- Comm. Arts. & Lit.: Subtest 2
Exam Preparation Resources:
- Communication Arts/Literature Exam Info
- Communication Arts/Literature Exam Sample Questions & Exam Content
- Communication Arts/Literature Exam Prep Resources
- UMD Library 24 hour checkout Comm Arts/Literature Content Study Guide & Practice Exam
- UMD Library Guide MTLE Preparation Materials (Check out with Ucard at main floor circulation desk)
- Mometrix eLibrary (requires U of M Login)
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Teaching Earth & Space Science
Required Exams:
- Earth & Space Science: Subtest 1
- Earth & Space Science: Subtest 2
- General Science 5-8: Subtest 1
- General Science 5-8: Subtest 2
Exam Preparation Resources:
Earth & Space Science Exam Resources:
- Earth and Space Science Exam Info
- Earth and Space Science Exam Sample Questions & Exam Content
- Earth and Space Science Exam Prep Resources
- Quizlet
- Mometrix eLibrary (requires U of M Login)
5-8 Science Exam Resources:
- Middle Level Science Exam Info
- Middle Level Science Exam Sample Questions & Exam Content
- Middle Level Science Exam Prep Resources
- Quizlet
- Mometrix eLibrary (requires U of M Login)
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Teaching French
Required Exams:
- French: Subtest 1
- French: Subtest 2
*Note: French: Subtest 2 is a paper based exam and only offered 6 times per year. Plan ahead to ensure you are able to complete this prior to completing the Teaching Spanish program.
Exam Preparation Resources:
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Teaching German
Required Exams:
- German: Subtest 1
- German: Subtest 2
*Note: German: Subtest 2 is a paper based exam and only offered 6 times per year. Plan ahead to ensure you are able to complete this prior to completing the Teaching Spanish program.
Exam Preparation Resources:
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Teaching Life Science
Required Exams:
- Life Science: Subtest 1
- Life Science: Subtest 2
- General Science 5-8: Subtest 1
- General Science 5-8: Subtest 2Exam Preparation Resources:
Exam Preparation Resources:
Life Science Exam Resources:
- Life Science Exam Info
- Life Science Exam Sample Questions & Exam Content
- Life Science Exam Prep Resources
- UMD Library 24 hour checkout Life Science Content Study Guide
- UMD Library Guide MTLE Preparation Materials (Check out with UCard at main floor circulation desk)
- Quizlet
- Mometrix eLibrary (requires U of M Login)
5-8 General Science Exam Resources:
- Middle Level Science Exam Info
- Middle Level Science Exam Sample Questions & Exam Content
- Middle Level Science Exam Prep Resources
- Quizlet
- Mometrix eLibrary (requires U of M Login)
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Teaching Mathematics
Required Exams:
- Mathematics: Subtest 1
- Mathematics: Subtest 2
Exam Preparation Resources:
- Mathematics Exam Info
- Mathematics Exam Sample Questions & Exam Content
- Mathematics Exam Prep Resources
- UMD Library 24 hour checkout Math Ed Content Study Guide & Practice Exam
- UMD Library Guide MTLE Preparation Materials (Check out with Ucard at main floor circulation desk)
- Quizlet
- Mometrix eLibrary (requires U of M Login)
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Teaching Physical Science-Chemistry
Required Courses:
- Chemistry: Subtest 1
- Chemistry: Subtest 2
- General Science 5-8: Subtest 1
- General Science 5-8: Subtest 2
Exam Preparation Resources
Chemistry Exam Resources
- Chemistry Exam Info
- Chemistry Exam Sample Questions & Exam Content
- Chemistry Exam Prep Resources
- Quizlet
- Mometrix eLibrary (requires U of M Login)
5-8 General Science Exam Resources
- Middle Level Science Exam Info
- Middle Level Science Exam Sample Questions & Exam Content
- Middle Level Science Exam Prep Resources
- Quizlet
- Mometrix eLibrary (requires U of M Login)
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Teaching Physical Science-Physics
Required Exams:
- Physics: Subtest 1
- Physics: Subtest 2
- General Science 5-8: Subtest 1
- General Science 5-8: Subtest 2
Exam Preparation Resources:
Physics Exam Resources
- Physics Exam Info
- Physics Exam Sample Questions & Exam Content
- Physics Exam Prep Resources
- Quizlet
- Mometrix eLibrary (requires U of M Login)
5-8 General Science Exam Resources
- Middle Level Science Exam Info
- Middle Level Science Exam Sample Questions & Exam Content
- Middle Level Science Exam Prep Resources
- Quizlet
- Mometrix eLibrary (requires U of M Login)
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Teaching Social Studies
Required Exams:
- Social Studies: Subtest 1
- Social Studies: Subtest 2
Exam Preparation Resources:
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Teaching Spanish
Required Exams:
- Spanish: Subtest 1
- Spanish: Subtest 2
*Note: Spanish: Subtest 2 is a paper based exam and only offered 6 times per year. Plan ahead to ensure you are able to complete this prior to completing the Teaching Spanish program.
Exam Preparation Resources
- Spanish Exam Info
- Spanish Exam Sample Questions & Exam Content
- Spanish Exam Prep Resources
- UMD Library 24 hour checkout Spanish Content Study Guide
- UMD Library Guide MTLE Preparation Materials (Check out with Ucard at main floor circulation desk)
- Quizlet
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Unified Early Childhood Studies
Required Exams:
- Early Childhood: Subtest 1
- Early Childhood: Subtest 2
- Special Education: All Fields: Subtest 1
- Special Education: All Fields: Subtest 2
Exam Preparation Resources:
Early Childhood Exam Resources
- Early Childhood Education Exam Info
- Early Childhood Education Exam Sample Questions & Exam Content
- Early Childhood Education Exam Prep Resources
- Quizlet
- Mometrix eLibrary (requires U of M Login)
SPED Core Skills Exam Resources
- Special Education Core Skills Exam Info
- Special Education Sample Questions & Exam Content
- Special Education Core Skills Exam Prep Resources
- UMD Library 24 hour checkout Special Education Core Skills Content Study Guide & Practice Exam
- UMD Library Guide MTLE Preparation Materials (Check out with Ucard at main floor circulation desk)
- Quizlet
- Mometrix eLibrary (requires U of M Login)
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Post Bac: K-12 Special Education: Academic Behavioral Strategist
Required Exams:
- Special Education: All Fields: Subtest 1
- Special Education: All Fields: Subtest 2
Exam Preparation Resources:
SPED Core Skills Exam Resources
- Special Education Core Skills Exam Info
- Special Education Sample Questions & Exam Content
- Special Education Core Skills Exam Prep Resources
- UMD Library 24 hour checkout Special Education Core Skills Content Study Guide & Practice Exam
- UMD Library Guide MTLE Preparation Materials (Check out with Ucard at main floor circulation desk)
- Quizlet
- Mometrix eLibrary (requires U of M Login)
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Post Bac: 9-12 Chemistry
Required Exams:
- Chemistry: Subtest 1
- Chemistry: Subtest 2
Exam Preparation Resources:
- Chemistry Exam Info
- Chemistry Exam Sample Questions & Exam Content
- Chemistry Exam Prep Resources
- Quizlet
- Mometrix eLibrary (requires U of M Login)
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Post Bac: 9-12 Earth & Space Science
Required Exams:
- Earth & Space Science: Subtest 1
- Earth & Space Science: Subtest 2
Exam Preparation Resources:
- Earth and Space Science Exam Info
- Earth and Space Science Exam Sample Questions & Exam Content
- Earth and Space Science Exam Prep Resources
- Quizlet
- Mometrix eLibrary (requires U of M Login)
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Post Bac: 9-12 Life Science
Required Exams:
- Life Science: Subtest 1
- Life Science: Subtest 2
Exam Preparation Resources:
- Life Science Exam Info
- Life Science Exam Sample Questions & Exam Content
- Life Science Exam Prep Resources
- Quizlet
- Mometrix eLibrary (requires U of M Login)
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Post Bac: 9-12 Physics
Required Exams:
- Physics: Subtest 1
- Physics: Subtest 2
Exam Preparation Resources:
- Physics Exam Info
- Physics Exam Sample Questions & Exam Content
- Physics Exam Prep Resources
- Quizlet
- Mometrix eLibrary (requires U of M Login)