MTTC Music Education (099)

It is a computer-based test of 100 multiple-choice questions. You get 2 hours and 30 minutes of testing time within a 2 hour and 45 minute appointment, which includes 15 minutes for the CBT tutorial and nondisclosure agreement. A headset is provided for the listening questions.

Yes. The MTTC test page states that both the Music Education test (099) and a Professional Knowledge and Skills test (117, 121, 135, or 136) are required to obtain the JQ endorsement for initial certification. Confirm the current requirement with the Michigan Department of Education or your educator preparation program.

The passing score is 220. The test fee is $129, and additional fees may apply. Scores are released within 6 weeks of testing, so plan your registration around any certification or hiring deadline you are working toward.

Testing is by appointment year-round, Monday through Saturday, excluding some holidays. Test sites are located in Michigan and nationwide. Check appointment availability before you register, since seats at a convenient center on a convenient date are the usual constraint.

The listening items are the most common surprise: candidates who are strong performers but have not practiced evaluating recorded excerpts under time pressure lose marks there. The other frequent problem is uneven coverage, such as deep theory knowledge paired with thin music history or pedagogy. Build a balanced plan.

Start with a diagnostic to find your weakest areas, then rotate among theory and aural skills, history and literature, and pedagogy rather than studying one strand to exhaustion. Add recorded listening practice early, and finish with timed full-length practice so the 2 hour and 30 minute session feels familiar.

Retakes are governed by MTTC testing and score reporting policies, which you agree to when you register. The official site announced a retake policy update effective 9/26/2025 but does not state the details on the pages summarized here, so read the current policy on the MTTC site before scheduling.

Not necessarily. The MTTC notes that tests may include questions being evaluated for future administrations and that these do not affect a candidate's score. Answer every question anyway, since you cannot tell which items are unscored.

The source material does not state a validity period for MTTC scores, so confirm this with the Michigan Department of Education or your educator preparation program before relying on an older score report for certification.