MTEL Resources

1. Get a MEPID#

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The MEPID is a Massachusetts Education Personnel ID. You get it when you create a profile for yourself in the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education system called ELAR (Educator Licensure and Renewal).

1. Go to the Educator Licensure And Renewal (ELAR) portal.
2. Create your ELAR Profile.
3. Fill out the form and click “submit.”
4. Receive your MEPID#.

Please note:

• Make sure the name you use is the same as the one on the ID you will present to the test center.
• This form will register you as a new user or show your username if you already have a MEPID#.
• Getting an MEPID# usually happens quickly but can take up to 24 hours.

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2. Create an MTEL account

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Once you have your MEPID#, you can create an MTEL account.

1. Go to MTEL's Account Creation page.
2. Click “Create an account now.”

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3. Register for an MTEL

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From your MTEL account you can register for an MTEL.

1. Sign in to the Registration section of the MTEL site.
2. Select the test you would like to take.
3. Answer a series of questions.
4. Schedule and pay for the test.
5. Choose test center, date, and time.

Please note:

• You have to pay first before you get to choose the test date, time, and location.
• You have a year to schedule the test.
• Some MTELs are offered more than others. For example, it is easier to get a spot for Communication and Literacy than it is for the math tests.

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Overview of the MTEL Registration Questions

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1. Click the checkbox “I am the person who will be taking the test” and click “Next.”
2. Choose test and click “Add” then click “Next.”
3. Click “No...” or “Yes...” to answer the alternative testing arrangements question. Then click “Next.”
4. Choose “Yes” to receive your scores via email. Click “Next.”
5. Answer Race/Ethnicity question then click “Next.”
6. Choose your first language. Click “Add.”
7. Choose from “Teacher Licenses” then click “Add.” You will only be able to choose one license. You can’t select a license from more than one of those categories. Click “Next.”
8. Choose a License Category. It will probably be “Academic (Prek-12).”
9. Choose highest level of education so far then click “Add.” Click “Next.”
10. Answer “Years Since…” question and click “Next.”
11. Enter the name of the institution you are applying to then click “Add.” Your test results will be sent to them.
12. Answer at least one of those questions about your major and click “Add.” Click “Next.”
13. Choose “In-State” then click “Next.”
14. Choose your status then click “Next.”
15. Choose your institution again to allow them to automatically receive your results then click “Add.” Choose “Yes” or “No” to reporting the last 4 digits of your SS#. Click “Next.”
16. Optional: add additional institutions to send your results to. Click “Next.”
17. Review your answers. Click “Add to Cart.”
18. Click “Check Out.”
19. Agree to terms and conditions by checking the box. Click “Next.”
20. Pay. Click “Next.”
21. Choose test center, date, and time.

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4. Get reimbursed for your MTEL test fees

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Paradigm Shift will reimburse you for MTEL test fees. Simply send a completed W9 form and a copy of your MTEL receipt to the Paradigm Shift Program Coordinator. You will receive a reimbursement check within two weeks' time.

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First attempt: You've got this!

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• Go through the test objectives and identify material (topics) you need to study.
• Take a practice test.
• Prep in any fashion that suits you (e.g., take online quizzes, make yourself flashcards/quizlet).
• Take a test prep course.
• Identify what you know and what you need to learn.
• Spend at least 30 hours preparing for tests with the content you have not mastered.
• Take the test soon after taking the prep course that covers that content.
  

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Second attempt: It happens to the best of us

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• Bare minimum: work with a tutor.
• Review the test objectives again and identify what you need to study.
• Do more of the prep ideas in #1.
  

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Third attempt: Don't give up, dig deep

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Bare minimum: work with a tutor. Schedule WEEKLY tutoring sessions, and work on items in between your tutoring sessions. Do more of the prep ideas in #1. Try a different prep strategy:

• Using a practice test, look at each question more carefully.
• After picking what you believe to be the best answer, ask yourself WHY you eliminated the other answers.
• Compare what you thought to the analysis for that practice test question (most of the MTELs provide a practice test analysis that explains both why one answer is correct and the other answers are not).
• Identify new knowledge that you need to learn based on this thorough review of each test question.
• Do 4-8 questions in one sitting (but don't feel that you have to do this with the entire test).
• Study/learn the material you identified.

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Ways to Prepare

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• Gather materials and study on your own (e.g., test objectives, practice test).
• Take an in-person test prep course with other students.
• Take an online test prep course.
• Get a tutor.

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