- MTEL Early Childhood is Field 72, replacing the older Field 02 as of February 6, 2023.
- The exam has 100 multiple-choice questions plus 2 open-response assignments, totaling 102 scored items.
- Multiple-choice subareas make up 80% of your score; open-response makes up 20%.
- A passing score is 240 on the MTEL scale, with the fee set at $139.
What Is A MTEL Early Childhood?
MTEL Early Childhood, officially known as Field 72, is a licensure examination administered by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) through Pearson/Evaluation Systems. It is one of the required assessments under the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) program, and it specifically measures whether a candidate has the subject-matter knowledge needed to teach children in the PreK-2 age range. If you're asking "what is MTEL Early Childhood," the short answer is that it's a computer-based content exam, not a training course or a renewable certification on its own.
The current version, Field 72, replaced the older Field 02 exam, with the redeveloped test beginning administration on February 6, 2023. If you studied from older materials referencing Field 02, be aware the content structure and objectives have shifted. For a deeper dive into the terminology and background, see our companion piece on MTEL Early Childhood meaning and the related explainer on what MTEL Early Childhood stands for.
Exam Format and Structure
The MTEL Early Childhood exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions distributed across four content subareas, plus 2 open-response assignments that make up a fifth subarea. In total, 102 items count toward your score. The multiple-choice subareas (I through IV) are weighted at 80% of your total score, while the open-response subarea (V) accounts for the remaining 20%.
Some multiple-choice questions on the test may be unscored field-test items used by DESE to evaluate future exam content. These are not identified to candidates, so you should treat every question as if it counts.
Total testing time is 4 hours. Depending on how you sit for the exam, the full appointment length differs:
- Computer-based testing (CBT) at a Pearson VUE center: 4 hours 15 minutes total, including a 15-minute tutorial and non-disclosure agreement (NDA) review. Restroom breaks count against your available testing time.
- Online proctored testing: 4 hours 30 minutes total, including a 15-minute tutorial, 2 hours 30 minutes for the multiple-choice section, an optional 15-minute break, and 1 hour 30 minutes for the open-response section. The break separates the two sections rather than eating into testing time.
Passing requires a scaled score of 240. According to the official 2023-24 MTEL annual report, first-time test takers on Field 72 passed at a rate of 79.4%, while the pass rate across all test takers (including repeat attempts) was 83.1%. For a full breakdown of how those numbers break down by year and what they mean for your prep strategy, see our dedicated MTEL Early Childhood pass rate analysis.
Key Takeaway
Because open-response items are worth 20% of your score but only 2 assignments, each one carries significant individual weight - a weak response can meaningfully drag down your overall result.
The Five Domains You Need to Master
Understanding what's actually tested is the difference between generic exam prep and targeted, effective study. Field 72 organizes content into five domains, each with its own weighting:
Domain 1: Child Development, Language Foundations, and the Writing Process (26%)
This is the single largest domain on the exam and covers developmental stages, language acquisition, emergent literacy, and the writing process for young children.
- Stages of cognitive, social, and emotional development in children ages birth through age 8
- Theories of language development and how they apply to instructional practice
- Stages of writing development and strategies for supporting early writers
Domain 2: Core Knowledge in Mathematics (20%)
Candidates must demonstrate content knowledge in foundational math concepts appropriate for early learners.
- Number sense, counting, and operations for young children
- Early geometry, measurement, and data concepts
- Problem-solving approaches suited to PreK-2 learners
Domain 3: Core Knowledge in History and Social Science (17%)
This domain tests content knowledge in civics, geography, economics, and history as they relate to early childhood curricula.
- Basic geography and map skills appropriate to young learners
- Community, culture, and civics concepts
- Economic concepts introduced at the early elementary level
Domain 4: Core Knowledge in Science and Technology/Engineering (17%)
Covers foundational science content and how it connects to early technology and engineering concepts.
- Life science, physical science, and earth/space science basics
- Scientific inquiry and observation skills for young children
- Simple engineering design concepts appropriate for early learners
Domain 5: Integration of Knowledge and Understanding (20%)
This is the open-response subarea, made up of two separate objectives, each worth 10% of your total score. Rather than testing new content, it requires you to synthesize knowledge from the other four domains into written responses.
- Two distinct open-response assignments, each independently scored
- Responses typically require integrating child development knowledge with a content area
- Clear organization and specific evidence matter as much as content accuracy
For a complete, objective-by-objective breakdown of everything tested within each domain, our MTEL Early Childhood exam domains guide walks through all five content areas in detail. If you want to go deeper on any single domain, we also have standalone guides for Domain 1, Domain 2, Domain 3, and Domain 4.
| Domain | Weight | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Domain 1: Child Development, Language Foundations, and the Writing Process | 26% | Multiple-choice |
| Domain 2: Core Knowledge in Mathematics | 20% | Multiple-choice |
| Domain 3: Core Knowledge in History and Social Science | 17% | Multiple-choice |
| Domain 4: Core Knowledge in Science and Technology/Engineering | 17% | Multiple-choice |
| Domain 5: Integration of Knowledge and Understanding | 20% | Open-response (2 assignments) |
Registration, Fees, and Test-Day Mechanics
Registering for Field 72 goes through Pearson VUE, the vendor that administers MTEL exams on behalf of DESE. The test fee is $139. You can choose to sit for the exam either at a physical Pearson VUE test center using computer-based testing, or remotely via online proctoring from a location of your choosing.
There is no formal exam prerequisite listed by Pearson to register for Field 72. In practice, however, most candidates are either nearing completion of an undergraduate degree or working through a Massachusetts educator-preparation program before attempting this test. Field 72 is used toward Early Childhood PreK-2 licensure and related licensure routes, and it is entirely separate from the Communication and Literacy Skills test and the Foundations of Reading test - both of which are typically required alongside it for full licensure.
A detail worth planning around: this exam is not a standalone certification that renews on its own. Passing Field 72 is one component of the licensure process; your actual educator license validity and renewal timeline are managed separately by Massachusetts DESE. For a full cost breakdown covering registration, potential retake fees, and prep materials, check our MTEL Early Childhood certification cost guide.
Who Takes This Test and Why
Field 72 is aimed at candidates pursuing licensure to teach in Massachusetts public schools at the PreK-2 level. This includes aspiring lead teachers in public preschool and kindergarten classrooms, as well as early elementary (grades 1-2) educators. School districts, charter schools, and some private schools that require state licensure alignment look for candidates who have passed this exam as part of their hiring requirements.
Because early childhood education draws from developmental science, literacy, math, science, and social studies content simultaneously, this test tends to appeal to candidates who enjoy a generalist teaching role rather than a single-subject specialty. If you're weighing whether this career path and its licensure requirements make sense for your goals, our guides on MTEL Early Childhood jobs and MTEL Early Childhood salary guide offer helpful context on where this credential can lead. For a broader look at return on investment, see Is the MTEL Early Childhood Certification Worth It?
Building a Study Plan Around the Domains
Because Domain 1 carries the heaviest weight at 26% and Domain 5's two open-response objectives are worth 10% each, an efficient study plan allocates more early time to child development, language, and writing content, then dedicates focused practice weeks to drafting and revising open-response answers before test day.
Domain 1 Deep Dive
- Review child development stages and language acquisition theories
- Study the stages of the writing process for young learners
- Practice multiple-choice items specific to this domain since it's worth more than any other single area
Math, History/Social Science, and Science Content
- Work through core math concepts appropriate for PreK-2 instruction
- Review history, geography, and civics content at the early elementary level
- Cover science, technology, and engineering fundamentals for young children
Open-Response Practice
- Draft practice responses integrating content knowledge with child development principles
- Time yourself against the 1 hour 30 minutes allotted for this section in the online-proctored format
- Review responses for organization, specific evidence, and content accuracy
Full Practice and Review
- Take a full-length practice test under timed conditions
- Identify weak subareas and revisit those objectives specifically
- Review test-day logistics: format choice, fee confirmation, and ID requirements
Spacing your review this way - front-loading the highest-weighted domain and reserving dedicated time for open-response drafting - reflects the actual point distribution of the exam rather than treating all five domains as equally important. For a more detailed week-by-week framework with specific resource recommendations, our MTEL Early Childhood study guide expands on this approach. You can also gauge your readiness level using practice questions on our main practice test platform before committing to a test date.
What Happens After You Pass
Passing Field 72 with a scaled score of 240 or higher is a required step toward Early Childhood PreK-2 licensure in Massachusetts, but it is not the final step. DESE handles the broader licensure application, including verification of your educator-preparation program completion and any additional required tests, such as Communication and Literacy Skills and Foundations of Reading. Your license itself - once issued - has its own validity period and renewal process managed directly by DESE, separate from the MTEL testing system.
If you're still trying to understand how this all fits together conceptually, our overview articles on MTEL Early Childhood Certification and What Is MTEL Early Childhood Certification? lay out the full licensure pathway step by step. And if you're wondering how challenging this exam actually is relative to other MTEL fields, our difficulty guide breaks down what makes Field 72 uniquely demanding compared to single-subject tests.
Key Takeaway
Passing Field 72 is a licensure requirement, not a certification you renew independently - track your actual license renewal timeline separately through DESE.
Frequently Asked Questions
Field 72 is the current Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure exam for Early Childhood PreK-2 licensure, administered by Pearson on behalf of DESE. It replaced the older Field 02 exam beginning February 6, 2023.
The exam includes 100 multiple-choice questions plus 2 open-response assignments, for a total of 102 scored items across five subareas.
You need a scaled score of 240 to pass. Multiple-choice subareas account for 80% of your score, and the open-response subarea accounts for the remaining 20%.
The test fee is $139, payable when you register through Pearson VUE, regardless of whether you choose computer-based testing or online proctoring.
No formal prerequisite is listed by Pearson, though most candidates take this exam while completing or nearing completion of undergraduate coursework or a Massachusetts educator-preparation program.