MTTC Integrated Science (Elementary) (093)
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ExploreAbout this exam
Integrated Science (Elementary), test code 093, is one of the subject-matter tests listed in the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) program on the official MTTC website. It is designed for candidates who must demonstrate broad, elementary-level science knowledge for Michigan certification - typically people finishing an elementary preparation program or adding an elementary science endorsement. Which endorsement actually requires 093 is set by the Michigan Department of Education, so confirm your personal test list on the MTTC "What tests do I need to take?" page before you register.
The content spans four strands: scientific inquiry and the processes of science; life science; Earth and space science; and physical science. Expect elementary-appropriate depth - conceptual understanding, investigation design, data interpretation, and the misconceptions children bring to class - rather than calculus-level problem solving. Inquiry items are easy to underestimate because they read like teaching rather than science, so practice them explicitly.
Preparation: begin at the official test page for 093, work through the preparation materials and any full-length practice test offered for your test, then build a study calendar weighted toward your weakest strands. Note that Michigan no longer requires a basic skills examination, so put your effort into subject content.
What you'll study
About MTTC Integrated Science (Elementary) (093) preparation
Who has to take Integrated Science (Elementary) (093)?
It is the MTTC subject test for candidates who must show elementary-level science knowledge for Michigan certification. Your preparation program and the MTTC "What tests do I need to take?" page determine whether 093 is on your personal list; the public announcement about Professional Knowledge and Skills requirements does not name this test specifically.
What is the format and how many questions are there?
MTTC subject tests are delivered as multiple-choice. The exact item count and appointment length for 093 are not published on the program home page, so check the 093 test page and your registration confirmation for the current details rather than relying on secondhand numbers.
What score do I need to pass?
The passing standard is not listed on the program home page. Score scales and passing requirements sit under the Scores and Policies sections of the official site, and your score report states whether you passed. Look up the current requirement for 093 there instead of trusting forum figures.
Can I retake the test if I do not pass?
Yes, retesting is allowed, but the terms changed: the site announced a Retake Policy Update effective September 26, 2025, without spelling out the new waiting period or attempt limits in the announcement. Read the Policies page before scheduling a second attempt so you know the rules in force.
Do I still need a basic skills exam first?
No. Senate Bill 889, effective September 25, 2018, eliminated the requirement that Michigan teacher candidates pass a basic skills examination. Any basic-skills prep you see marketed as a state requirement is outdated; spend that time on the subject test and, if your endorsement requires it, the Professional Knowledge and Skills test.
Does the January 2026 Professional Knowledge requirement apply to me?
Starting January 1, 2026, initial endorsements in several areas require passing both a Professional Knowledge and Skills test and the specific subject test. The public announcement does not list which areas and does not name 093, so confirm with your preparation program or the Michigan Department of Education before you plan your testing sequence.
In what order should I study the four content areas?
Start with a diagnostic: take a practice test or work one item set per strand, then rank the strands by accuracy. Give the most weeks to your two weakest, keep a short weekly review of your strongest, and finish with timed mixed practice so you rehearse switching between life science, Earth and space science, physical science, and inquiry.
What are the most common ways candidates lose points?
Two recurring mistakes: memorizing vocabulary instead of explaining mechanisms (why seasons occur, why a sealed balloon shrinks in cold), and skipping inquiry and process items because they feel like pedagogy rather than science. Practice describing investigations - variables, controls, data tables, conclusions - in plain, precise language.
Where do I find official preparation materials?
The official site's Prepare page hosts preparation materials, a full-length practice test option, and preparation-strategy videos, though availability differs by test, so start from the 093 test page itself. Supplement with a college elementary-science textbook or open courseware and check topics against Michigan's elementary science standards.