100+ Free MTLE Earth and Space Science (Grades 9-12) Practice Questions
Pass your MTLE Earth and Space Science (Grades 9-12) Test (060/061) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.
Much of Minnesota's landscape, including its many lakes and rolling till plains, was shaped during the most recent ice age. Which process is chiefly responsible for these glacial landforms?
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Key Facts: MTLE Earth and Space Science (Grades 9-12) Exam
228 / 227
Passing Scaled Scores (Subtests 1 / 2)
MTLE Earth and Space Science test page
$78.50
Fee Per Subtest (2026)
MTLE Earth and Space Science test page
100 selected-response
Total Questions (50 per subtest)
MTLE Earth and Space Science test page
1 hour
Testing Time Per Subtest
MTLE Earth and Space Science test page
2 subtests
Subtests Required (060 and 061)
MTLE Earth and Space Science test page
57%
Earth Systems Weight (Subtest 1)
MTLE Earth and Space Science study guide
4 subareas
Content Subareas Across Both Subtests
MTLE Earth and Space Science study guide
MTLE Earth and Space Science (Grades 9-12), test codes 060 and 061, is Minnesota's earth science content licensure test, administered by Pearson for PELSB. Each of the two subtests has about 50 selected-response questions answered in up to 1 hour, for 100 questions total. Subtest 1 is weighted Concepts and Applications 43% and Earth Systems 57%; Subtest 2 is split between Origin and Evolution of the Universe and Solar System and Human Interactions with Earth Systems. The passing scaled score is 228 for Subtest 1 and 227 for Subtest 2, and the current fee is $78.50 per subtest, or about $157 for both. Candidates must pass both subtests for licensure. This free 100-question bank mirrors the official objective weighting so candidates can practice across every subarea.
Sample MTLE Earth and Space Science (Grades 9-12) Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your MTLE Earth and Space Science (Grades 9-12) exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1A student designs an investigation to test how the angle of incoming sunlight affects the rate at which soil heats up. Which feature of the design most directly improves the reliability of the data collected?
2In an Earth science experiment measuring stream discharge, a teacher wants students to distinguish the independent variable from the dependent variable. Which pairing correctly identifies these variables if students are studying how channel slope affects water velocity?
3Remote sensing satellites such as Landsat detect reflected and emitted electromagnetic radiation from Earth's surface. Which application is most appropriate for these multispectral remote sensing data?
4A laboratory activity requires students to heat dilute hydrochloric acid to test carbonate rocks for effervescence. Which safety procedure is most essential for this activity?
5A geologist uses a topographic map with a contour interval of 20 meters. Two points lie on adjacent contour lines that are very close together. What does this close spacing indicate about the terrain between the points?
6A geographic information system (GIS) is best described as a tool that allows Earth scientists to do which of the following?
7A stratigraphic column shows, from bottom to top, a layer of sandstone, then shale, then limestone. Assuming the layers are undisturbed, which interpretation of the depositional history is best supported?
8An Earth science teacher wants students to estimate the volume of water stored in a rectangular reservoir that is 500 m long, 200 m wide, and averages 10 m deep. Which mathematical approach gives the best estimate of the volume?
9A conceptual model of the rock cycle is used in class to show relationships among igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. What is the primary value of using such a model in Earth science instruction?
10Which of the following is the best example of a unifying theme that connects Earth science with other branches of science?
About the MTLE Earth and Space Science (Grades 9-12) Exam
The MTLE Earth and Space Science (Grades 9-12) test is the subject-matter assessment for the Minnesota Earth and Space Science teaching license. It is delivered as two computer-based subtests of approximately 50 selected-response questions each: Subtest 1 (060) covers Concepts and Applications in Earth and Space Science and Earth Systems, and Subtest 2 (061) covers the Origin and Evolution of the Universe and Solar System and Human Interactions with Earth Systems. Candidates must pass both subtests for licensure.
Questions
100 scored questions
Time Limit
1 hour of testing per subtest (1 hour 15 minutes total appointment per subtest)
Passing Score
228 (Subtest 1) and 227 (Subtest 2) scaled scores
Exam Fee
$78.50 per subtest ($157 for both) (Minnesota PELSB / Pearson)
MTLE Earth and Space Science (Grades 9-12) Exam Content Outline
Concepts and Applications in Earth and Space Science (Subtest 1, Subarea I)
Principles of scientific inquiry and investigation design, information gathering and unifying themes, tools and equipment including remote sensing, safe material handling, real-world applications and careers, the use of computers, mathematical analysis, conceptual and computer models, geographic information systems, analysis of geologic maps and stratigraphic columns, and content-area reading skills such as academic vocabulary, discourse, and interpreting data representations.
Earth Systems (Subtest 1, Subarea II)
Physical and chemical properties of Earth materials, rocks and minerals and Bowen's reaction series, Earth's layered interior and lithosphere, the hydrosphere and atmosphere, internal and external energy sources, heat transfer by conduction, convection, advection, and radiation, the rock and hydrologic cycles, soil and geochemical cycles, weathering, erosion and deposition, glaciation including Minnesota's glacial features, plate tectonics, earthquakes and volcanism, geologic time, fossils, and radiometric and relative dating.
Origin and Evolution of the Universe and Solar System (Subtest 2, Subarea I)
Telescope types, methods for determining stellar characteristics, the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, stellar evolution and fusion, galaxy types and evolution, cosmological theories including the Big Bang, the origin and evolution of the solar system, planetary characteristics and habitability, comets and asteroids, Kepler's and Newton's laws of celestial mechanics, and the characteristics and interactions of the Sun, Moon, and Earth including tides, eclipses, seasons, and precession.
Human Interactions with Earth Systems (Subtest 2, Subarea II)
Renewable versus nonrenewable natural resources, their formation, availability, and extraction strategies with associated benefits and risks, atmospheric and water pollutants and pollution-reduction strategies, environmental hazards such as flooding and hurricanes, climate zones and regional climate factors, teleconnections, evidence of historical climate change, and the causes and consequences of recent global warming for Earth systems and human society.
How to Pass the MTLE Earth and Space Science (Grades 9-12) Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 228 (Subtest 1) and 227 (Subtest 2) scaled scores
- Exam length: 100 questions
- Time limit: 1 hour of testing per subtest (1 hour 15 minutes total appointment per subtest)
- Exam fee: $78.50 per subtest ($157 for both)
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
MTLE Earth and Space Science (Grades 9-12) Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is on the MTLE Earth and Space Science (060/061) test?
The test has two subtests. Subtest 1 (060) covers Concepts and Applications in Earth and Space Science (about 43%) and Earth Systems (about 57%). Subtest 2 (061) covers the Origin and Evolution of the Universe and Solar System and Human Interactions with Earth Systems. Together they assess geology, the atmosphere, oceans, astronomy, scientific inquiry, and human-Earth interactions.
How many questions are on the MTLE Earth and Space Science test and what is the format?
Each subtest contains approximately 50 selected-response (multiple-choice) questions, for 100 questions total across the two subtests. You have up to 1 hour of testing time per subtest within a 1 hour 15 minute appointment that includes the tutorial and nondisclosure agreement.
What is the passing score for the MTLE Earth and Space Science test?
You need a scaled score of 228 to pass Subtest 1 (060) and 227 to pass Subtest 2 (061). Both subtests must be passed to qualify for the Minnesota Earth and Space Science (9-12) license. These standards were set by PELSB and apply to tests taken on or after February 5, 2024.
How much does the MTLE Earth and Space Science test cost in 2026?
The current registration fee is $78.50 per subtest, so taking both Subtest 1 and Subtest 2 costs about $157. Always confirm the exact amount in your Pearson registration account before checkout, since fees can change.
Do I have to pass both subtests of the MTLE Earth and Space Science test?
Yes. The Earth and Space Science (Grades 9-12) field is divided into Subtest 1 (060) and Subtest 2 (061), and you must take and pass both to qualify for the Minnesota license in this field. You may register for and take the subtests separately.
Who administers the MTLE Earth and Space Science test?
The Minnesota Teacher Licensure Examinations are overseen by the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) and administered by Pearson (Evaluation Systems). You register and view results through the official MTLE website at mtle.nesinc.com.