The Ontario Math Proficiency Test (MPT) is a test that all new teachers now have to pass in order to get their certification. I know many teachers who are stressed about failing the MPT. I graduated from la Faculté d’éducation at the University of Ottawa in 2019 with a specialization in math and physics for grades 7 to 12. Here is how I would study for the test if I had to write it.
Step 1 – Attempt the Practice Test
Attempt the practice test found on the government website. Go through it like it was the real test. It will take you about three hours. This will you a sense of what the test is about. Most importantly, you will get a sense of where you are at with the concepts. Keep track of which questions you got wrong and the ones you struggled with. This baseline will guide the rest of your studying.
Step 2 – Get to Know the Test
Make sure you read the test guidelines. Here are the highlights:
- 50 math questions
- 5 without a calculator
- 45 with a calculator
- 21 pedagogy questions
- You need 70% or higher in each section to pass the test.
- Need at least 35/50 on the math component
- Need at least 15/21 on the pedagogy component
Step 3 – Learn or Relearn Specific Concepts
Learn or relearn the concepts you struggled with or have completely forgotten. Go through the list of concepts on the test and circle the ones you need to learn. Khan Academy is a great resource to relearn these concepts. If you understand the concepts but still struggle with specific questions, you can check out the playlist I created where I provide a detailed solution to each problem of the MPT. Other folks are posting MPT content on YouTube so make sure to check them out as well!
Step 4 – Retake the MPT
Some people will get almost perfect on the test on their second attempt after a bit of studying and review. Feel free to stop studying here if you are confident of passing the MPT. However, if you still struggled with the test, write down the questions and concepts you struggled with and move on to step 5.
Step 5 – Study + Other Practice Tests + Tutoring
Some people may benefit from tutoring to help them relearn the concepts they once understood. You can ask your friends and colleagues to help since it will benefit them to teach you the concepts. You can also hire a private tutor. Make sure you come into each tutoring session with specific problems that you’re stuck on.
The best way to learn math is to do problems.
There are many other practice tests that can help you. You can try the practice test I prepared for the MPT. It is slightly more difficult than the one provided by the Ministry of Education. You can also try the grade nine sample test for the provincial exam. If you want to practice more, you can always search in your browser “MPM1D Final Exam Review”. Many teachers post their notes on their websites.
Step 6 – Study the Pedagogy Documents
I think that most teachers are more comfortable studying for the pedagogy section. I would recommend reading Growing Success and Learning for All to any teacher as they are relevant to any subject and often show up in job interviews. A good way to learn these concepts would be to create flashcards. If you use Quizlet or a similar tool, you could share your deck of flashcards with your classmates.
Step 7 – Rinse and Repeat
Studying for math is an iterative process. Keep practicing and testing yourself until you are confident that you will pass the MPT. A good idea might be to create a Discord server (a group chat) with your classmates where you can help each other and get instant feedback. Feel free to reach out at duddhawork@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Best of luck!
Olivier