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100+ Free MTLE Special Education Core Skills Practice Questions

Pass your MTLE Special Education Core Skills (Birth to Age 21) (Tests 200 and 201) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: MTLE Special Education Core Skills Exam

240

Passing Scaled Score

MTLE score reporting (scale 100-300)

$78.50

Fee Per Subtest (2026)

MTLE registration fee schedule

~50 per subtest

Selected-Response Items

MTLE Special Education Core Skills test page

Up to 1 hour

Time Per Subtest

MTLE Special Education Core Skills test page

4 subareas

Content Subareas (2 subtests)

MTLE Special Education Core Skills objectives

70%

Professional Knowledge Weight (Subtest 1)

MTLE Special Education Core Skills objectives

30%

Reading Instruction Weight (Subtest 1)

MTLE Special Education Core Skills objectives

50% / 50%

Subtest 2 Subarea Split

MTLE Special Education Core Skills objectives

MTLE Special Education Core Skills (Birth to Age 21) is Minnesota's core special education licensure test, delivered by Pearson for PELSB as two computer-based subtests of selected-response questions with a passing scaled score of 240 on each. Subtest 1 (Test 200) is weighted Professional Knowledge, Communication, and Collaboration 70% and Scientifically Based Reading Instruction 30%. Subtest 2 (Test 201) is weighted Referral, Evaluation, Planning, and Programming 50% and Instructional Design, Teaching, and Ongoing Evaluation 50%. Each subtest has about 50 questions with up to 1 hour of testing time, and the standard fee is $78.50 per subtest. This free 100-question bank mirrors the official objective weighting so candidates can practice across every subarea.

Sample MTLE Special Education Core Skills Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your MTLE Special Education Core Skills exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which principle requires that students with disabilities be educated alongside their nondisabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate?
A.Least restrictive environment (LRE)
B.Free appropriate public education (FAPE)
C.Zero reject
D.Procedural due process
Explanation: Least restrictive environment (LRE) requires that, to the maximum extent appropriate, students with disabilities be educated with peers who do not have disabilities, with removal to separate settings only when the nature or severity of the disability prevents satisfactory progress in general education with supplementary aids and services. LRE drives the continuum-of-placements decision in every IEP.
2A general education teacher refuses to provide a student's IEP accommodations because she believes they give the student an unfair advantage. What is the special education teacher's most appropriate first action?
A.Explain that IEP accommodations are legally required and collaborate to implement them in the classroom
B.File a state complaint against the general education teacher
C.Remove the student from the general education class
D.Document the refusal and report it to the parents immediately
Explanation: An IEP is a legally binding document under IDEA, and all of a student's teachers are required to provide the listed accommodations. The collaborative first step is to explain the legal obligation and work with the colleague to implement supports, preserving the working relationship and benefiting the student. Escalation is reserved for situations where collaboration fails.
3Which federal law primarily protects the privacy of student education records and gives parents the right to inspect and review those records?
A.FERPA
B.IDEA
C.ADA
D.Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Explanation: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the confidentiality of student education records and grants parents (and eligible students) the right to inspect, review, and request amendment of those records. Special educators must follow FERPA when sharing IEP and evaluation information.
4A 504 plan differs from an IEP primarily in that a 504 plan
A.provides accommodations to ensure access but does not require specially designed instruction
B.is only available to students in private schools
C.guarantees a smaller class size
D.requires annual standardized testing for eligibility
Explanation: A Section 504 plan provides accommodations and removes barriers so a student with a disability has equal access to education, but it does not provide specially designed instruction or related services the way an IEP under IDEA does. Students who need specialized instruction qualify under IDEA; those who need only access accommodations may be served under Section 504.
5Under IDEA, an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is the appropriate planning document for children
A.from birth through age 2 (Part C early intervention)
B.in grades K through 3
C.ages 6 through 12
D.ages 14 and older for transition planning
Explanation: The IFSP is used under Part C of IDEA for infants and toddlers from birth through age 2 who have developmental delays or disabilities, and it emphasizes family-centered services in natural environments. When a child turns 3, services shift to an IEP under Part B. Because the MTLE covers birth to age 21, candidates must distinguish the IFSP from the IEP.
6Which of the following best describes the educational characteristics commonly associated with a specific learning disability (SLD)?
A.A significant gap between ability and achievement in areas such as reading, writing, or math despite adequate instruction
B.Below-average intellectual functioning across all domains
C.Persistent deficits in social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors
D.A medical condition limiting strength, vitality, or alertness
Explanation: A specific learning disability involves a disorder in one or more basic psychological processes affecting the ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or do math, often shown by a gap between ability and achievement despite appropriate instruction. It is not caused primarily by intellectual disability, sensory impairment, or environmental disadvantage.
7A parent who disagrees with the school's evaluation of their child has the right under IDEA to request
A.an independent educational evaluation (IEE) at public expense
B.immediate placement in a private school at district cost
C.a new teacher of the parent's choosing
D.an automatic increase in service hours
Explanation: Under IDEA's procedural safeguards, a parent who disagrees with the school's evaluation may request an independent educational evaluation (IEE) at public expense. The district must either pay for the IEE or initiate a due process hearing to show its own evaluation was appropriate. This safeguard protects parents' right to a second, qualified opinion.
8When communicating with a family whose primary language is not English about their child's IEP, the special education teacher should
A.arrange for a qualified interpreter and translated documents so the family can participate meaningfully
B.ask the student to interpret for the parents during the meeting
C.proceed in English and provide a written summary later
D.postpone the meeting until the family learns English
Explanation: IDEA requires that parents be given the opportunity to participate meaningfully in IEP decisions, which means providing a qualified interpreter and native-language materials when needed. Relying on a child or proceeding without language support denies the family meaningful participation and may violate procedural safeguards.
9The concept of free appropriate public education (FAPE) under IDEA requires that special education and related services be
A.provided at no cost to parents and designed to meet the student's unique needs
B.identical for all students with the same disability label
C.limited to the general education classroom only
D.provided only if the parents pay a portion of the cost
Explanation: FAPE means special education and related services are provided at public expense, under public supervision, without charge, and tailored through an IEP to meet the individual student's unique needs to confer meaningful educational benefit. The Supreme Court's Endrew F. decision reinforced that the IEP must be reasonably calculated to enable appropriate progress.
10Which member is a required participant on every IEP team under IDEA?
A.At least one general education teacher of the student (if the student is or may be in general education)
B.The school superintendent
C.A representative from the state education agency
D.A licensed physician
Explanation: IDEA requires the IEP team to include the parents, at least one general education teacher (if the child is or may be participating in general education), at least one special education teacher, a local education agency representative, someone who can interpret evaluation results, and the student when appropriate. The general education teacher's presence ensures access to the general curriculum is considered.

About the MTLE Special Education Core Skills Exam

The MTLE Special Education Core Skills (Birth to Age 21) exam is the core licensure assessment for Minnesota special education teachers, administered by Pearson under the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB). It consists of two computer-based subtests of selected-response questions. Subtest 1 (Test 200) covers Professional Knowledge, Communication, and Collaboration (70%) and Scientifically Based Reading Instruction (30%). Subtest 2 (Test 201) covers Referral, Evaluation, Planning, and Programming (50%) and Instructional Design, Teaching, and Ongoing Evaluation (50%).

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

Up to 1 hour per subtest (Subtest 1 and Subtest 2)

Passing Score

240 scaled score per subtest

Exam Fee

$78.50 per subtest ($157 for both) (Minnesota PELSB / Pearson)

MTLE Special Education Core Skills Exam Content Outline

70% of Subtest 1

Professional Knowledge, Communication, and Collaboration (Subtest 1, Subarea I)

Historical, philosophical, and legal foundations of special education, including IDEA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the ADA, and FERPA, along with FAPE, LRE, zero reject, child find, due process, and confidentiality. Also covers typical and atypical development, the characteristics and educational implications of disability categories, and communication and collaboration with families, general education teachers, paraprofessionals, related service providers, and community agencies.

30% of Subtest 1

Scientifically Based Reading Instruction (Subtest 1, Subarea II)

Oral language foundations of literacy, phonological and phonemic awareness, the alphabetic principle and concepts of print, explicit and systematic phonics and word identification, fluency, vocabulary and academic language including Greek and Latin roots and morphemic analysis, and reading comprehension at literal, inferential, and evaluative levels, with formal and informal assessment and differentiation for diverse learners and English learners.

50% of Subtest 2

Referral, Evaluation, Planning, and Programming (Subtest 2, Subarea I)

Pre-referral interventions within MTSS and RTI, informed consent and procedural safeguards, comprehensive nondiscriminatory evaluation, interpreting norm-referenced, criterion-referenced, and curriculum-based assessment data, eligibility determination, and developing IEPs and IFSPs including present levels, measurable goals, services, placement along the continuum in the least restrictive environment, and transition planning.

50% of Subtest 2

Instructional Design, Teaching, and Ongoing Evaluation (Subtest 2, Subarea II)

Explicit and systematic instruction, differentiated instruction adjusting content, process, product, and environment, scaffolding, task analysis and chaining, generalization, positive behavior supports including functional behavioral assessment and behavior intervention plans, assistive and augmentative technology, formative assessment, progress monitoring, and data-based instructional decision making.

How to Pass the MTLE Special Education Core Skills Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 240 scaled score per subtest
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: Up to 1 hour per subtest (Subtest 1 and Subtest 2)
  • 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 Special Education Core Skills Study Tips from Top Performers

1Allocate study time by weight: Professional Knowledge and law is 70% of Subtest 1, so master IDEA, Section 504, ADA, FERPA, FAPE, and LRE first
2Learn the IDEA principles cold: zero reject, child find, nondiscriminatory evaluation, FAPE, LRE, procedural due process, and parent participation
3Review the five-component model of scientifically based reading (phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension) and how to assess each
4Practice scenario-based items, since the MTLE asks you to apply knowledge to classroom and IEP situations rather than just recall facts
5Memorize key IEP elements and timelines: present levels, measurable goals, annual review, triennial reevaluation, and transition planning by age 16
6Study behavior basics, including functional behavioral assessment, behavior intervention plans, and the difference between positive and negative reinforcement

Frequently Asked Questions

What is on the MTLE Special Education Core Skills (Birth to Age 21) exam?

The exam has two subtests. Subtest 1 (Test 200) covers Professional Knowledge, Communication, and Collaboration (70%) and Scientifically Based Reading Instruction (30%). Subtest 2 (Test 201) covers Referral, Evaluation, Planning, and Programming (50%) and Instructional Design, Teaching, and Ongoing Evaluation (50%). All items are selected-response questions, including scenario-based items.

How many questions are on the MTLE Special Education Core Skills exam and what is the format?

Each subtest contains approximately 50 selected-response (multiple-choice) questions with four answer options and one correct answer, for about 100 questions total across Subtest 1 and Subtest 2. The tests are computer-based, and questions include both general-knowledge and scenario-based items.

What is the passing score for the MTLE Special Education Core Skills exam?

You need a scaled score of 240 to pass, the standard MTLE passing score reported on a scale of 100 to 300. Each subtest is scored separately, so you must pass both Subtest 1 and Subtest 2 for the special education core requirement.

How much does the MTLE Special Education Core Skills exam cost in 2026?

Most MTLE subtests, including the Special Education Core Skills subtests, cost $78.50 each, so taking both Subtest 1 and Subtest 2 is about $157. Always confirm the current amount in your Pearson registration portal before checkout, since fees can change.

How long is each MTLE Special Education Core Skills subtest?

Each subtest provides up to 1 hour of testing time for approximately 50 selected-response questions. Candidates may register for both subtests in a single appointment or take them separately, so budget time accordingly.

Who administers the MTLE Special Education Core Skills exam?

The exam is part of the Minnesota Teacher Licensure Examinations, overseen by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) and administered by Pearson (Evaluation Systems). It is required for the Minnesota special education (Birth to Age 21) teaching license.