MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills Pass Rate, Format & Study Guide

The MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills test has a Reading subtest (101) of 42 multiple-choice questions and a Writing subtest (201) of 35 multiple-choice questions, 7 short-answer sentence-correction items and 2 open-response assignments (MTEL test page). The qualifying score is 240 on each subtest, and you must take and pass both; a computer-based appointment for one or both subtests is 4 hours 15 minutes in total. This portal's practice set has 84 multiple-choice questions; the written-response items are not scored here.

Massachusetts requires educator candidates to demonstrate communication and literacy skills before licensure, and passing both subtests satisfies that requirement unless an approved alternative applies.

Massachusetts teacher candidates and career changers pursuing an initial educator license, and candidates retaking one subtest.

The certifying body does not publicly publish an official pass rate for this exam. Be wary of third-party sites citing a specific number here — treat any pass-rate claim you see elsewhere for this exam as unverified.

The test page does not state a retake limit; it links to the program's testing policies, which we did not read, so check the MTEL policies before you register. The Department notes that a passing MTEL score does not expire, and it publishes an overview of alternatives to the Communication and Literacy Skills requirement.

The qualifying score is 240 on each subtest. You must pass both the Reading and Writing subtests; the open-response writing tasks are scored by trained readers, not by this portal. Format: Reading 42 multiple-choice questions; Writing 35 multiple-choice, 7 short-answer and 2 open-response items. No official pass rate is available for this exam, so none is quoted here.

The MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills test has a Reading subtest (101) of 42 multiple-choice questions and a Writing subtest (201) of 35 multiple-choice questions, 7 short-answer sentence-correction items and 2 open-response assignments (MTEL test page). The qualifying score is 240 on each subtest, and you must take and pass both; a computer-based appointment for one or both subtests is 4 hours 15 minutes in total. This portal's practice set has 84 multiple-choice questions; the written-response items are not scored here. Reading (101): 42 multiple-choice questions · Writing (201): 35 multiple-choice, 7 short-answer and 2 open-response items · 240 qualifying score on each subtest · 4 hours 15 minutes appointment for both. The qualifying score is 240 on each subtest. You must pass both the Reading and Writing subtests; the open-response writing tasks are scored by trained readers, not by this portal.

• Meaning of Words and Phrases8.3%
• Main Idea and Supporting Details8.3%
• Writer's Purpose and Point of View8.3%
• Relationships Among Ideas8.3%
• Critical Reasoning8.3%
• Outlining, Summarizing, Graph Interpretation8.3%
• Establish and Maintain a Main Idea7.5%
• Sentence Construction, Grammar, Usage5%
• Spelling, Capitalization, Punctuation5%
• Revise Sentences Containing Errors7.5%
• Summary Exercise7.5%
• Composition Exercise17.5%

The content outline spreads questions across 12 areas: Meaning of Words and Phrases (8.3%); Main Idea and Supporting Details (8.3%); Writer's Purpose and Point of View (8.3%); Relationships Among Ideas (8.3%); Critical Reasoning (8.3%); Outlining, Summarizing, Graph Interpretation (8.3%); Establish and Maintain a Main Idea (7.5%); Sentence Construction, Grammar, Usage (5.0%); Spelling, Capitalization, Punctuation (5.0%); Revise Sentences Containing Errors (7.5%); Summary Exercise (7.5%); Composition Exercise (17.5%).

The MTEL test page lists no prerequisites; you may take one or both subtests at one appointment. Whether you need the test at all depends on your licensure route, because the Department publishes alternatives to the Communication and Literacy Skills requirement. Confirm your route with the Department or your preparation program.

$69.50 for each single subtest and $112 for both. Online proctoring, accommodations and late fees, if any, were not reviewed.

A passing MTEL score has no expiration date, according to the Department; this guide does not cover licensure renewal.

Start with the heaviest areas of the content outline: Composition Exercise (17.5%); Meaning of Words and Phrases (8.3%); Main Idea and Supporting Details (8.3%). Then work through the remaining areas, and finish with timed full-length practice runs of 84 questions in one sitting.

Content outlines, fees and passing standards change; this guide follows the materials listed under Verification as of October 2026. Check the Massachusetts DESE and the MTEL program before you register.