100+ Free MTEL General Curriculum Practice Questions

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Key Facts: MTEL General Curriculum Exam

178/278

Current Test Codes

MTEL General Curriculum test page

240

Qualifying Score Per Subtest

MTEL test information

60 MC + 1 OR

Items Per Subtest

MTEL test descriptions

48%

Mathematics Weight on Subtest 278

MTEL objectives

60%

History/Social Science Weight on Subtest 178

MTEL objectives

$69.50

Fee Per Subtest

Public MTEL voucher pricing

$139

Fee for Both Subtests

Public MTEL voucher pricing

4h 15m

Total Appointment Time

MTEL test page

The MTEL General Curriculum is a two-subtest test for Massachusetts elementary licensure. Subtest 178 (Language Arts and History/Social Science) weights History/Social Science at 60%, Language Arts at 30%, and an integration open response at 10%. Subtest 278 (Mathematics, Science, and Technology/Engineering) weights Mathematics at 48%, Science and Technology/Engineering at 42%, and an integration open response at 10%. Each subtest has 60 multiple-choice items plus one open-response item, requires a 240 qualifying score, and costs $69.50 individually or $139 for both. This 100-question bank concentrates on a strong Mathematics subtest core alongside the multi-subject domains so candidates can target the heaviest-weight content first.

Sample MTEL General Curriculum Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your MTEL General Curriculum exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the value of the digit 7 in the number 3,742,915?

A.7 thousands

B.7 ten-thousands

C.7 hundred-thousands

D.7 millions

Explanation: In 3,742,915 the digits from the right are ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, ten-thousands, hundred-thousands, millions. The 7 sits in the hundred-thousands place, so it represents 700,000.

2Which list shows the numbers 0.4, 0.04, 0.44, and 0.404 ordered from least to greatest?

A.0.04, 0.4, 0.404, 0.44

B.0.04, 0.404, 0.4, 0.44

C.0.4, 0.04, 0.404, 0.44

D.0.04, 0.4, 0.44, 0.404

Explanation: Comparing by place value: 0.04 (four hundredths) is smallest, then 0.4 (forty hundredths), then 0.404 (forty and four-tenths hundredths), then 0.44 (forty-four hundredths). So the order is 0.04, 0.4, 0.404, 0.44.

3A teacher wants to find the greatest common factor (GCF) of 24 and 36. What is the GCF?

A.6

B.12

C.18

D.72

Explanation: The prime factorization of 24 is 2^3 x 3 and of 36 is 2^2 x 3^2. The GCF uses the lowest power of each shared prime: 2^2 x 3 = 12.

4Which expression is equivalent to 3/4 + 2/3?

A.5/7

B.5/12

C.17/12

D.6/12

Explanation: Use a common denominator of 12: 3/4 = 9/12 and 2/3 = 8/12. Adding gives 9/12 + 8/12 = 17/12, which equals 1 5/12.

5A recipe uses 3 cups of flour for every 2 cups of sugar. If a baker uses 12 cups of flour, how many cups of sugar are needed to keep the same ratio?

A.6 cups

B.8 cups

C.10 cups

D.18 cups

Explanation: The ratio of flour to sugar is 3:2. Set up the proportion 3/2 = 12/x. Cross-multiplying gives 3x = 24, so x = 8 cups of sugar.

6A shirt originally priced at $40 is on sale for 25% off. What is the sale price?

A.$10

B.$15

C.$30

D.$35

Explanation: A 25% discount on $40 is 0.25 x 40 = $10 off. The sale price is $40 - $10 = $30.

7Which number is a rational number but not an integer?

A.-7

B.0

C.3/5

D.the square root of 9

Explanation: A rational number can be written as a ratio of two integers. 3/5 is rational but is not a whole-number integer because it lies between 0 and 1.

8Evaluate the expression 6 + 2 x (5 - 3)^2 using the order of operations.

A.14

B.32

C.64

D.20

Explanation: Work inside parentheses first: 5 - 3 = 2. Then apply the exponent: 2^2 = 4. Multiply: 2 x 4 = 8. Finally add: 6 + 8 = 14.

9In the pattern 4, 9, 14, 19, ..., which expression gives the nth term?

A.4n

B.5n - 1

C.5n + 4

D.n + 5

Explanation: The sequence increases by 5 each time, so the rule involves 5n. The first term (n=1) is 4, and 5(1) - 1 = 4, so the nth term is 5n - 1.

10Solve for x: 3x - 7 = 14.

A.x = 3

B.x = 7

C.x = 21

D.x = 2.33

Explanation: Add 7 to both sides: 3x = 21. Divide both sides by 3: x = 7.

About the MTEL General Curriculum Exam

The MTEL General Curriculum (178/278) is the multi-subject test required for Massachusetts elementary teacher licensure. It has two separately scored subtests: Subtest 178 covers Language Arts and History/Social Science, and Subtest 278 covers Mathematics, Science, and Technology/Engineering. Each subtest has 60 multiple-choice questions and one open-response item.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

4 hours 15 minutes total appointment time for both subtests

Passing Score

240 on each subtest

Exam Fee

$69.50 per subtest; $139 for both subtests together (Massachusetts DESE / Pearson)

MTEL General Curriculum Exam Content Outline

43% of this bank

Mathematics Subtest (278)

Grounded in the official Mathematics objectives: number sense and numeration, operations and number theory, fractions, ratios, proportions and percents, patterns and algebra, geometry and coordinate geometry, measurement, and data, statistics, and probability.

20% of this bank

Science and Technology/Engineering (278)

Covers Earth and space science, life science, and physical science, plus the engineering design process and the scientific method, mirroring the 42% science weight on Subtest 278.

16% of this bank

Language Arts and Reading (178)

Reflects the Language Arts objectives: literary and informational texts, genres, figurative language, vocabulary and word roots, writing and revision, language conventions, and speaking and listening.

15% of this bank

History and Social Science (178)

Covers U.S. and Massachusetts history, world history, civics and government, geography, economics, and historical thinking skills such as source analysis and bias evaluation, the largest area on Subtest 178.

6% of this bank

The Arts

Introduces foundational visual art, music, dance, and theater concepts and arts integration that elementary candidates apply across the curriculum.

How to Pass the MTEL General Curriculum Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 240 on each subtest
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: 4 hours 15 minutes total appointment time for both subtests
Exam fee: $69.50 per subtest; $139 for both subtests together

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

MTEL General Curriculum Study Tips from Top Performers

1Prioritize the Mathematics domain because it carries the heaviest single weight (about 48%) on Subtest 278

2Review number sense, fractions, ratios, and proportions thoroughly since they underpin many multi-step problems

3For History/Social Science, the largest area on Subtest 178, focus on U.S., Massachusetts, and world history plus civics and geography

4Practice historical-thinking skills such as distinguishing primary from secondary sources and detecting bias

5Connect math and science by practicing data analysis, measurement, and the integration open-response prompts

6Take timed mixed sets and review explanations by content domain to close your weakest areas before test day

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MTEL General Curriculum test code?

The current MTEL General Curriculum test uses field codes 178 and 278. Subtest 178 covers Language Arts and History/Social Science, and Subtest 278 covers Mathematics, Science, and Technology/Engineering. The older field 03 was retired in 2023.

What passing score do I need for the MTEL General Curriculum?

You need a scaled score of 240 on each subtest. Because the two subtests are scored separately, you must meet the 240 standard on both Subtest 178 and Subtest 278 to pass the General Curriculum test.

How much does the MTEL General Curriculum cost in 2026?

Each subtest costs $69.50 if taken individually, and both subtests together cost $139. Always confirm the exact fee in your Pearson registration portal before checkout, since fees can change.

How is the Mathematics portion weighted on the test?

Mathematics is the single largest content area on Subtest 278, accounting for about 48% of that subtest. It covers number sense, operations, fractions and proportions, algebra and patterns, geometry, measurement, and data analysis and probability.

How many questions are on each subtest?

Each subtest has 60 multiple-choice questions and one open-response item. If you take both subtests in one appointment, you receive 4 hours and 15 minutes of total testing time to divide between them.

Who needs to take the MTEL General Curriculum test?

Candidates seeking a Massachusetts elementary (grades 1-6) teaching license generally must pass the General Curriculum test, in addition to the Communication and Literacy Skills test required for all Massachusetts educator licenses.