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100+ Free MTLE Physics (Grades 9-12) Practice Questions

Pass your MTLE Physics (Grades 9-12) Subtests 1 and 2 (064/065) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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A uniform meter stick is balanced at its 50 cm mark. A 100 g mass is hung at the 20 cm mark. Where must a 200 g mass be hung to keep the stick balanced?

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: MTLE Physics (Grades 9-12) Exam

227

Passing Scaled Score (each subtest)

MTLE Physics test page

$78.50

Fee Per Subtest (2026)

MTLE Physics test page

48 MC

Questions Per Subtest

MTLE Physics test page

1 hr 15 min

Testing Time Per Subtest

MTLE Physics test page

6 subareas

Content Subareas (3 per subtest)

MTLE Physics study guide

45%

Linear and Rotational Motion Weight (Subtest 1)

MTLE Physics study guide

38%

Electricity and Magnetism Weight (Subtest 2)

MTLE Physics study guide

2 subtests

Test Codes 064 and 065

MTLE Tests and Test Codes

MTLE Physics (Grades 9-12) is Minnesota's physics content licensure test, delivered by Pearson for PELSB as a computer-based exam split into two subtests of 48 multiple-choice questions each. Subtest 1 (064) weights Concepts in Physics at about 33%, Linear and Rotational Motion at about 45%, and Simple Harmonic and Wave Motion at about 22%. Subtest 2 (065) weights Electricity and Magnetism at about 38%, Geometrical and Physical Optics at about 25%, and Kinetic Theory and Contemporary Physics at about 37%. Each subtest requires a passing scaled score of 227, the fee is $78.50 per subtest, and each subtest provides 1 hour 15 minutes of testing time. This free 100-question bank mirrors the official framework weightings so candidates can practice across every subarea.

Sample MTLE Physics (Grades 9-12) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your MTLE Physics (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 measures the length of a table as 1.4523 m using a meter stick marked in millimeters. How should this measurement be reported to reflect the appropriate number of significant figures for the instrument?
A.1.452 m
B.1.4523 m
C.1.45 m
D.1.5 m
Explanation: A meter stick marked in millimeters allows reading to the nearest millimeter (0.001 m) with one estimated digit. Reporting to the thousandths place (1.452 m) reflects the smallest scale division plus one estimated figure, which is the limit of the instrument's precision.
2A physics teacher wants students to identify the independent variable in an experiment testing how the stretch of a spring depends on the hanging mass. Which quantity is the independent variable?
A.The hanging mass
B.The spring's stretch (extension)
C.The spring constant
D.The acceleration due to gravity
Explanation: The independent variable is the quantity the experimenter deliberately changes. Here the student chooses different hanging masses and then measures the resulting stretch, so the mass is independent and the stretch is the dependent variable.
3Which of the following is the SI base unit used to express the amount of substance?
A.The mole
B.The kilogram
C.The kelvin
D.The ampere
Explanation: The mole (mol) is the SI base unit for amount of substance, defined by exactly 6.02214076 x 10^23 elementary entities. The seven SI base units are the meter, kilogram, second, ampere, kelvin, mole, and candela.
4A student uses dimensional analysis to check the equation v = a*t, where v is velocity, a is acceleration, and t is time. Which statement correctly describes the result?
A.The equation is dimensionally consistent because m/s^2 times s gives m/s
B.The equation is inconsistent because acceleration cannot multiply time
C.The equation is inconsistent because the result has units of m/s^2
D.The equation is consistent only if time is measured in hours
Explanation: Acceleration has units of m/s^2 and time has units of s. Multiplying them gives (m/s^2)(s) = m/s, which matches the units of velocity. The equation is therefore dimensionally consistent.
5Which of the following best distinguishes a scientific theory from a scientific hypothesis?
A.A theory is a well-substantiated explanation supported by a large body of evidence, while a hypothesis is a testable proposed explanation
B.A theory is an unproven guess, while a hypothesis is a proven fact
C.A theory cannot be revised, while a hypothesis can be tested
D.A theory applies only to physics, while a hypothesis applies to all sciences
Explanation: In science, a theory is a broad, well-tested explanation supported by extensive evidence (for example, the kinetic molecular theory). A hypothesis is a specific, testable proposed explanation that experiments are designed to evaluate.
6A graph of position versus time for an object is a straight line with a positive constant slope. What does the slope of this line represent?
A.The object's constant velocity
B.The object's constant acceleration
C.The total distance traveled
D.The object's mass
Explanation: On a position-versus-time graph, slope equals the change in position divided by the change in time, which is velocity. A straight line with constant slope indicates constant velocity (zero acceleration).
7In a laboratory, which practice most directly reduces random error in repeated measurements of a pendulum's period?
A.Timing multiple oscillations and dividing by the number of swings, repeated several times
B.Using a stopwatch with a larger maximum reading
C.Recording only the single fastest measured time
D.Measuring the period only once to avoid disturbing the pendulum
Explanation: Random error is reduced by averaging many trials and by timing several oscillations at once, which divides the human reaction-time error across multiple periods. Repeating the procedure and averaging further reduces random scatter.
8A vector A points east with magnitude 3 units and a vector B points north with magnitude 4 units. What is the magnitude of the resultant A + B?
A.5 units
B.7 units
C.1 unit
D.12 units
Explanation: For perpendicular vectors the resultant magnitude is found with the Pythagorean theorem: the square root of (3^2 + 4^2) = the square root of 25 = 5 units. This is the classic 3-4-5 right triangle.
9Which of the following quantities is a scalar?
A.Speed
B.Velocity
C.Acceleration
D.Displacement
Explanation: A scalar is fully described by magnitude alone. Speed has only magnitude (for example, 20 m/s), making it a scalar. Velocity, acceleration, and displacement all require direction and are vectors.
10A teacher asks students to estimate the order of magnitude of the number of seconds in one day. Which estimate is closest?
A.10^5 seconds
B.10^3 seconds
C.10^7 seconds
D.10^9 seconds
Explanation: One day is 24 x 60 x 60 = 86,400 seconds, which is about 8.64 x 10^4, closest to the order of magnitude 10^5. Order-of-magnitude estimation is a key physics skill for checking reasonableness.

About the MTLE Physics (Grades 9-12) Exam

The MTLE Physics (Grades 9-12) test is the subject-matter assessment for the Minnesota physics teaching license, administered by Pearson for the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB). It is delivered as a computer-based test split into two subtests of 48 multiple-choice questions each. Subtest 1 (064) covers Concepts in Physics, Linear and Rotational Motion, and Simple Harmonic and Wave Motion. Subtest 2 (065) covers Electricity and Magnetism, Geometrical and Physical Optics, and Kinetic Theory and Contemporary Physics.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

1 hour 15 minutes testing time per subtest (1 hour 30 minutes total appointment per subtest)

Passing Score

227 scaled score on each subtest

Exam Fee

$78.50 per subtest (Minnesota PELSB / Pearson)

MTLE Physics (Grades 9-12) Exam Content Outline

~33% of Subtest 1

Concepts in Physics (Subtest 1, 064)

Scientific inquiry including designing and carrying out physics investigations, laboratory tools, instruments, and safety practices; problem-solving strategies with words, diagrams, and mathematical relationships; the role of physics in everyday life and careers; and content-area reading and literacy that support student comprehension of physics texts and graphical representations.

~45% of Subtest 1

Linear and Rotational Motion (Subtest 1, 064)

Kinematics with vectors and scalars, one- and two-dimensional and projectile motion, Newton's three laws and free-body diagrams, force types and friction, momentum and the impulse-momentum theorem, conservation of momentum and collisions, circular motion, torque, moment of inertia, angular momentum, and rotational dynamics.

~22% of Subtest 1

Simple Harmonic and Wave Motion (Subtest 1, 064)

Simple harmonic motion of pendulums and mass-spring systems, wave properties and the wave equation, sound and loudness, the Doppler effect, superposition and interference, standing waves and resonance, and reflection and refraction at boundaries.

~38% of Subtest 2

Electricity and Magnetism (Subtest 2, 065)

Electrostatics and Coulomb's law, charging by friction and electron transfer, electric fields and potential, electric current and charge, Ohm's law, series and parallel circuits, Kirchhoff's laws, electric power, capacitance, magnetism, the magnetic force on moving charges, electromagnetic induction (Faraday's and Lenz's laws), motors, generators, and transformers.

~25% of Subtest 2

Geometrical and Physical Optics (Subtest 2, 065)

Reflection and refraction using Snell's law, the index of refraction and the speed of light in media, plane, concave, and convex mirrors, converging and diverging lenses and the thin-lens equation, image formation and magnification, dispersion, total internal reflection, polarization, single- and double-slit interference, and diffraction.

~37% of Subtest 2

Kinetic Theory and Contemporary Physics (Subtest 2, 065)

Kinetic molecular theory and temperature, the gas laws, heat transfer by conduction, convection, and radiation, specific heat and phase changes, the first and second laws of thermodynamics and entropy, heat engines and efficiency, atomic and nuclear physics, radioactivity and half-life, fission and fusion, mass-energy equivalence, the photoelectric effect, wave-particle duality, and quantum applications such as diodes and semiconductors.

How to Pass the MTLE Physics (Grades 9-12) Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 227 scaled score on each subtest
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: 1 hour 15 minutes testing time per subtest (1 hour 30 minutes total appointment per subtest)
  • Exam fee: $78.50 per subtest

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 Physics (Grades 9-12) Study Tips from Top Performers

1Allocate study time by subarea weight: Linear and Rotational Motion is the heaviest on Subtest 1 at about 45%, and Electricity and Magnetism leads Subtest 2 at about 38%
2Practice multi-step problems in kinematics, Newton's laws, circuits, and thermodynamics because the multiple-choice items reward calculation fluency
3Memorize core relationships (v = f times lambda, F = ma, Ohm's law V = IR, Q = mc delta T, E = hf) and practice applying them quickly
4Use dimensional analysis and unit conversion to check answers under the 75-minute-per-subtest time limit
5Review the Concepts in Physics subarea on scientific inquiry, lab safety, and content-area literacy, since these inquiry skills are tested directly on Subtest 1
6Schedule and prepare for each subtest separately, remembering that you must pass both 064 and 065 to meet the licensure requirement

Frequently Asked Questions

What is on the MTLE Physics (Grades 9-12) test?

The test has two subtests. Subtest 1 (064) covers Concepts in Physics (about 33%), Linear and Rotational Motion (about 45%), and Simple Harmonic and Wave Motion (about 22%). Subtest 2 (065) covers Electricity and Magnetism (about 38%), Geometrical and Physical Optics (about 25%), and Kinetic Theory and Contemporary Physics (about 37%).

How many questions are on the MTLE Physics test and what is the format?

Each subtest is a computer-based test with 48 multiple-choice questions, for 96 selected-response items total across both subtests. There are no open-response or constructed-response items on the MTLE Physics test.

What is the passing score for MTLE Physics?

You need a scaled score of 227 to pass each subtest, and candidates must pass both Subtest 1 (064) and Subtest 2 (065). New MTLE passing standards took effect for candidates testing on or after February 5, 2024.

How much does the MTLE Physics test cost in 2026?

The MTLE Physics test costs $78.50 per subtest, which is $157 to take both Subtest 1 and Subtest 2. Always confirm the exact amount in your Pearson registration portal before checkout, since additional service fees may apply.

How long is each MTLE Physics subtest?

Each subtest allows 1 hour and 15 minutes of testing time within a total appointment of 1 hour and 30 minutes, which includes about 15 minutes for the tutorial and nondisclosure agreement. You schedule and complete each subtest separately.

Who administers the MTLE Physics test?

The MTLE is administered by Pearson (Evaluation Systems) for the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB). The Physics (Grades 9-12) subject test is required for the Minnesota physics teaching license.