Unofficial practice for the four subtests of MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education: professional knowledge, literacy, mathematics, science and social studies.
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Unofficial practice questions, not affiliated with the Michigan Department of Education or Pearson. Bank checked October 16, 2026.
A first grader is hard to understand because she leaves out or swaps certain speech sounds. Which specialist in the school system evaluates this kind of difficulty?Wikipedia, Speech–language pathology (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 1 (Professional Knowledge and Skills), objective 005.
A kindergarten teacher wants to strengthen the small muscles of the hands and fingers. Which center activity targets them?Wikipedia, Fine motor skill (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 1 (Professional Knowledge and Skills), objective 003.
A kindergartner agrees that two rows of five pennies match. When one row is spread out, she says that row now has more pennies. In Piaget's terms, which ability is still to come?Wikipedia, Conservation (psychology) (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 1 (Professional Knowledge and Skills), objective 001.
A Michigan teacher telephones centralized intake about suspected neglect of a child in her class. Under the Child Protection Law, by when must her written report follow?Michigan Compiled Laws, section 722.623 (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 1 (Professional Knowledge and Skills), objective 001.
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Subtest 1: Professional knowledge and skills, continued
A second grader who spends most of the day in the general classroom is having an IEP written. Under the federal rules, whom must the IEP Team include besides the parents and a special education teacher?Code of Federal Regulations, 34 CFR 300.321(a) (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 1 (Professional Knowledge and Skills), objective 002.
A teacher gives every kindergartner a short literacy screener in order to plan instruction. Under the federal special education rules, how is this screening treated?Code of Federal Regulations, 34 CFR 300.302 (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 1 (Professional Knowledge and Skills), objective 005.
A third grader with a reading disability listens to the science text as an audiobook and is held to the same learning goals as classmates. What is this change called?Wikipedia, Special education (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 1 (Professional Knowledge and Skills), objective 003.
After a lesson goes badly, a teacher writes down what happened, questions her own assumptions and changes the plan for the next day. What is she engaging in?Wikipedia, Reflective practice (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 1 (Professional Knowledge and Skills), objective 004.
Just before report cards, a parent offers a teacher an expensive gift. What does the Michigan Code of Educational Ethics ask of the teacher?Michigan Department of Education, Michigan Code of Educational Ethics (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 1 (Professional Knowledge and Skills), objective 004.
The Michigan Code of Educational Ethics has five principles. Four are responsibility to the profession, for professional competence, to students and to the school community. What is the fifth?Michigan Department of Education, Michigan Code of Educational Ethics (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 1 (Professional Knowledge and Skills), objective 004.
So that new English learners can join in from the first week, a kindergarten teacher pairs spoken directions with gestures, and the children answer by moving. Which method is this?Wikipedia, Total physical response (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 1 (Professional Knowledge and Skills), objective 002.
Under the federal special education rules, a state may use the category of developmental delay to identify a child with a disability. Which ages does the rule cover?Code of Federal Regulations, 34 CFR 300.8(b) (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 1 (Professional Knowledge and Skills), objective 001.
Which school professional helps a child take part in everyday school tasks, such as managing a pencil, a coat zipper and a lunch tray?Wikipedia, Occupational therapy (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 1 (Professional Knowledge and Skills), objective 005.
Which task lies in a child's zone of proximal development?Wikipedia, Zone of proximal development (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 1 (Professional Knowledge and Skills), objective 001.
Subtest 2: Literacy 14
A child sorts word cards by spelling pattern. In "shop," "wish" and "chin," two letters stand for a single sound. Which term names that pattern?Wikipedia, Digraph (orthography) (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 2 (Literacy), objective 006.
A kindergartner who speaks Arabic at home retells a story in a mix of Arabic and English. Which response fits the test objectives?MTTC test objectives, the wording of the objective (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 2 (Literacy), objective 002.
A second-grade word study lesson takes apart the word "replanted." How many morphemes does it contain?Wikipedia, Morpheme (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 2 (Literacy), objective 009.
A teacher and a group of kindergartners sit close together to read and reread an enlarged book, while the teacher models what proficient readers do. Which practice is this?Wikipedia, Shared reading (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 2 (Literacy), objective 003.
A teacher has a child read the same short passage aloud several times over a week, with feedback each time. What is this routine mainly meant to build?Wikipedia, Fluency (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 2 (Literacy), objective 011.
A teacher posts high-frequency words in large letters on a bulletin board, arranged so that children can find and use them while they write. What is this tool?Wikipedia, Word wall (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 2 (Literacy), objective 001.
A teacher says "ship" and asks a child to say each sound. The child answers with three sounds: /sh/, /i/, /p/. What has the child shown?Wikipedia, Phonemic awareness (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 2 (Literacy), objective 006.
During a read-aloud a teacher stops and says, "I am confused here, so I will reread that part." What is the teacher modeling?Wikipedia, Metacognition (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 2 (Literacy), objective 013.
On a fluency check, Ana reads nearly every word right and at a good rate, but her voice stays flat and she pauses in odd places. Which dimension of fluency is weakest?Wikipedia, Fluency (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 2 (Literacy), objective 011.
"The puppy was famished, so hungry that it ate two bowls of food." Which vocabulary strategy lets a child work out "famished" from this sentence?MTTC test objectives, the wording of the objective (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 2 (Literacy), objective 012.
Reciprocal teaching has children use four comprehension strategies. Three are predicting, clarifying and questioning. What is the fourth?Wikipedia, Reciprocal teaching (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 2 (Literacy), objective 013.
Which concept of print belongs to the language being read and is not universal?MTTC test objectives, the wording of the objective (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 2 (Literacy), objective 005.
Which feature sets interactive writing apart from writing that the teacher models alone?Wikipedia, Interactive writing (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 2 (Literacy), objective 014.
Which practice do the test objectives name as a way to foster children's intrinsic motivation for literacy?MTTC test objectives, the wording of the objective (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 2 (Literacy), objective 004.
Subtest 3: Mathematics 14
A base-ten model is proportional when the piece for ten is ten times the size of the piece for one. Which material is NOT proportional?The answer rests on the text printed in the question and on the wording of the objective (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 3 (Mathematics), objective 011.
A child counts "six sides" on a cube. Which statement uses precise language for the parts of a cube?Wikipedia, Cube (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 3 (Mathematics), objective 006.
A child insists that 1/5 of a pizza is more than 1/3 of the same pizza "because 5 is more than 3." What does this reasoning overlook?The answer rests on the text printed in the question and on the wording of the objective (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 3 (Mathematics), objective 016.
A child is asked to mark 1/4 on a number line that runs from 0 to 2, and marks the point 1/2. What did the child treat as the whole?Common Core State Standards, Grade 3, Number and Operations: Fractions (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 3 (Mathematics), objective 015.
A child solves 8 + 5 on a ten frame and says, "8 and 2 make 10, and 3 more is 13." Which strategy is the child using?Common Core State Standards, Grade 1, Operations and Algebraic Thinking (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 3 (Mathematics), objective 019.
"A class has 20 crayons and puts 5 in each cup. How many cups are needed?" Both this and a fair-sharing problem are solved by 20 ÷ 5. What is unknown in this one?Common Core State Standards, Mathematics Glossary, Table 2 (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 3 (Mathematics), objective 018.
A first grader writes 12 − 5 = 7. Which teacher response best brings out the child's strategy?The answer rests on the text printed in the question and on the wording of the objective (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 3 (Mathematics), objective 003.
A teacher checks the standards while planning a counting unit. Which goal do the Common Core State Standards set for kindergarten?Common Core State Standards, Kindergarten, Counting and Cardinality (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 3 (Mathematics), objective 002.
A teacher flashes a dot card for two seconds. A child says "four" with no time to count the dots. Which early number ability is at work?Wikipedia, Subitizing (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 3 (Mathematics), objective 009.
A teacher writes: "The red tower is 9 cubes tall and the blue tower is 5 cubes tall. How much taller is the red tower?" Which situation type from Table 1 of the Common Core glossary does the problem show?Common Core State Standards, Mathematics Glossary, Table 1 (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 3 (Mathematics), objective 017.
After counting out seven bears, "one, two, … seven," a child is asked how many bears there are and starts over at "one." Which counting idea is not yet in place?Common Core State Standards, Kindergarten, Counting and Cardinality (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 3 (Mathematics), objective 012.
By the Common Core grade 1 geometry standard, which is a defining attribute of a triangle?Common Core State Standards, Grade 1, Geometry (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 3 (Mathematics), objective 005.
By the Common Core grade 3 definition of a fraction, what is 3/4?Common Core State Standards, Grade 3, Number and Operations: Fractions (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 3 (Mathematics), objective 014.
Which statement about 520 is correct and shows its place-value structure?The answer rests on the text printed in the question and on the wording of the objective (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 3 (Mathematics), objective 010.
Subtest 4: Science and social studies 18
A child says, "The ice cube melted because the table was hungry for the cold." Which teacher move best supports the child's sense-making?The answer rests on the text printed in the question and on the wording of the objective (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 4 (Science and Social Studies), objective 006.
A first-grade lesson contrasts a line leader on safety patrol with a child who cuts in line. Which idea from Michigan's first-grade civics expectations is being taught?Michigan K-12 Standards for Social Studies (Michigan Department of Education) (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 4 (Science and Social Studies), objective 012.
A kindergarten class records the weather each morning and looks back over the month. What does Michigan's kindergarten performance expectation ask children to do with these observations?Michigan K-12 Standards: Science (Michigan Department of Education) (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 4 (Science and Social Studies), objective 005.
A teacher asks, "What happens to the toy car when we push it harder?" Which crosscutting concept is the question building?Michigan K-12 Standards: Science (Michigan Department of Education) (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 4 (Science and Social Studies), objective 004.
After one child explains why she thinks the seed sprouted, the teacher asks the class, "Who can add on to what Maya said?" What is the purpose of this move?The answer rests on the text printed in the question and on the wording of the objective (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 4 (Science and Social Studies), objective 007.
In a Michigan geography lesson, which structure do children learn connects the Upper and Lower peninsulas?Wikipedia, Mackinac Bridge (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 4 (Science and Social Studies), objective 011.
In Michigan's K-12 science standards, which investigation is a second-grade performance expectation?Michigan K-12 Standards: Science (Michigan Department of Education) (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 4 (Science and Social Studies), objective 003.
In Michigan's social studies standards, the strand on identifying and analyzing public issues begins in kindergarten. What does the kindergarten expectation ask?Michigan K-12 Standards for Social Studies (Michigan Department of Education) (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 4 (Science and Social Studies), objective 009.
In three-dimensional science teaching, a unit is anchored in a phenomenon. Which of these is a phenomenon a first-grade class could observe and try to explain?MTTC test objectives, the wording of the objective (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 4 (Science and Social Studies), objective 001.
Kindergartners in Michigan learn to distinguish goods from services. Which pair shows a good and then a service?Wikipedia, Goods and services (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 4 (Science and Social Studies), objective 013.
Many children in a class near Lake Michigan come from families who fish. Which phenomenon would treat the children's own experience as an asset?The answer rests on the text printed in the question and on the wording of the objective (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 4 (Science and Social Studies), objective 008.
Third graders studying early Michigan settlements read a settler's diary written at the time. What kind of source is the diary?Wikipedia, Primary source (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 4 (Science and Social Studies), objective 010.
Which activity matches Michigan's kindergarten history expectation for building a sense of time?Michigan K-12 Standards for Social Studies (Michigan Department of Education) (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 4 (Science and Social Studies), objective 010.
Which is an example that Michigan's second-grade standards give of how local government affects people's lives?Michigan K-12 Standards for Social Studies (Michigan Department of Education) (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 4 (Science and Social Studies), objective 012.
Which item below is a science and engineering practice, as Michigan's K-12 science standards name them?Michigan K-12 Standards: Science (Michigan Department of Education) (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 4 (Science and Social Studies), objective 002.
Which task would best show a child's current sense-making about why some objects sink?The answer rests on the text printed in the question and on the wording of the objective (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 4 (Science and Social Studies), objective 007.
Which words would a kindergartner use to meet Michigan's geography expectation about locations in the classroom?Michigan K-12 Standards for Social Studies (Michigan Department of Education) (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 4 (Science and Social Studies), objective 011.
With one dollar, Sam can buy either a pencil or an eraser, and he buys the pencil. What is the opportunity cost of his choice?Wikipedia, Opportunity cost (read 2026-10-16). Outline: MTTC Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education (117–120) test objectives, Subtest 4 (Science and Social Studies), objective 013.
How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the test objectives of the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Lower Elementary (PK–3) Education, fields 117 to 120, as the MTTC site prints them (https://www.mttc.nesinc.com/Content/STUDYGUIDE/MI_SG_OBJ_117.htm and the test page https://www.mttc.nesinc.com/TestView.aspx?f=HTML_FRAG/MI117_TestPage.html), read 2026-10-16. Four subtests taken separately, passing score 220 (test page): 1 Professional Knowledge and Skills (117), 50 questions, subareas weighted 60% and 40%; 2 Literacy (118), 50 questions, 30%, 30% and 40%; 3 Mathematics (119), 50 questions, 20%, 40% and 40%; 4 Science and Social Studies (120), 60 questions, 25%, 25% and 50%. This bank holds 14, 14, 14 and 18, spread over each subtest's subareas in those weights. Each explanation names the page its fact was read in: the Michigan standards and laws the objectives point to, the Common Core mathematics standards, the federal special education rules or a named Wikipedia article; eight questions rest on their own text and the wording of the objective. Licence: Questions, passages, choices and explanations are original work of this site.
How it works
Fields 117 to 120 make up the exam this MTTC Lower Elementary Education practice test follows: four subtests, 60 questions of our own, sorted by subtest. The page is unofficial, with no link to the Michigan Department of Education or Pearson.
Read the full guide
The four subtests
By the test page read October 16, 2026: Professional Knowledge and Skills (117), 50 questions in 1 hour 15 minutes; Literacy (118), 50 in 1 hour 15 minutes; Mathematics (119), 50 in 1 hour 30 minutes, no calculator; Science and Social Studies (120), 60 in 1 hour 30 minutes. This bank holds 14, 14, 14 and 18; its 75-minute timed run of 50 matches subtest 1 or 2.
What each subtest weighs
Subtest 1: learner-centered supports 60%, professional knowledge and partnerships 40%. Literacy: in context 30%, skills 30%, processes 40%. Mathematics: teaching practices 20%; attribution, counting and whole number representation 40%; early fractions and whole number operations 40%. Subtest 4: science 50%, social studies 50%.
For the ZO endorsement the test page asks for subtests 118, 119 and 120, and either 117 or 121.
The mathematics subtest tests teaching: explanations, representations and children's thinking about counting, place value, early fractions and operations.
Questions and answers
How many questions are on the MTTC Lower Elementary Education test?
210 in all, every one multiple-choice and answered on a computer. Each of the four subtests has its own code and its own appointment time; the largest, Science and Social Studies, asks 60.
What is the passing score for MTTC Lower Elementary Education?
The test page gives a passing score of 220, on the MTTC scale of 100 to 300, and the subtests are taken and passed separately. The scale is built from scorable questions answered correctly; a practice count is not a scaled score.
How soon can you retake an MTTC Lower Elementary subtest?
After 30 days, and once the official score report for the earlier attempt is posted. The MTTC retake policy puts no cap on the number of attempts at a test that has not been passed.
Is there an official MTTC Lower Elementary study guide?
One guide on the MTTC site covers all four fields: program information, how to prepare, the objectives, and a section of sample multiple-choice questions for each subtest. Registering also opens an online practice test.