Study Strategies for Art Education and the MTEL

Tips for making the most of your study time and staying calm and collected during the exams.

1. Timing is everything. Allow yourself plenty of time to begin studying before the actual date of the exam. Schedule 2-3 study sessions at least two weeks before the class exam, longer for the MTEL.
2. Groups are good. Studying in small groups will enable you to quiz one another and ask for clarification on topics and ideas. Also will be a great way to practice for the dictation portion of the MTEL.
3. Know your test. The MTEL is structured in very specific parts: with multiple-choice questions, two open-ended questions, dictation, and subject-specific exercises. Practice testing in different formats to evaluate your own strengths and weaknesses. Learn the basic rules for taking a multiple-choice test.
4. Prepare in advance. You know that you will be asked to outline a lesson plan and create the template for writing a unit on the test. Prepare these before taking the exam, at home. You can¹t bring them into the test with you, but you will be familiar with your ideas and better able to organize them during the test itself.
5. Scheduling. According to Wheelock College¹s web site, "Experience suggests that subject test scores tend to be higher when students take the tests on a separate day or following the Communication and Literacy Skills Reading Subtest, but not following the morning writing test." So don¹t schedule yourself for back-to-back exams if you can help it.
6. Follow directions. Make sure that you read and understand each question thoroughly. Check to see if the open-ended questions have more than one part, or are asking for specific information. Don¹t rush‹you¹ll run the risk of making a large error because you¹re afraid you¹re going to run out of time.
7. Be confident. You are taking a test in a subject that you have studied thoroughly for the past several years. The information is not new to you, just relax and know that a few deep breaths can provide some perspective and correct answers.