How To Study for the Math Proficiency Test (MPT)

Passing Ontario’s Math Proficiency Test (MPT) hinges less on cramming and more on a tight loop of practice, targeted review, and retesting. The most practical starting move is to take the official-style practice test first—without calculator for one portion and with calculator for another—so test-takers get an immediate baseline of what they actually remember (and what they don’t). That score then determines what to study next, rather than guessing based on vague memories from high school.

The MPT is structured into 15 math questions without a calculator and 45 with a calculator, plus 21 teaching-related questions based on two Ontario teaching documents: “Growing Success” and “Learning for All.” A key grading detail reduces panic: passing requires at least 70 in each section, not an overall 70. In practical terms, the math component has 50 questions total, so a 35/50 or higher is needed for that section; the teaching component has 21 questions, so 15/21 or higher is required. Examples on the test-prep resources illustrate how someone can score very high in one section yet still fail if the other section falls below the 70 threshold.

After the baseline practice run, the next step is to map the test’s concept list and then study specifically the weak areas revealed by the first attempt. Khan Academy is recommended for relearning math concepts in depth, and a playlist is suggested that targets every problem from the Ministry practice test problems—useful because even if those exact questions don’t reappear, the underlying skills and concepts do. Once the targeted review is complete, retaking the practice test functions as a checkpoint: if scores are comfortably high (for example, around 85–90 in both sections), studying can stop; if performance is shaky, more help may be needed.

When self-study isn’t enough, the plan shifts to additional support. Private tutoring is suggested, and colleagues or friends can form a study group—because explaining math to others reinforces understanding. The transcript also emphasizes that math learning is fundamentally problem-based: the best “study” is doing problems, ideally repeatedly and independently.

To build endurance and accuracy, a second practice test is recommended that mirrors the format but makes every question harder, effectively training for the real test’s difficulty. For the teaching portion, the advice is to read “Growing Success” and “Learning for All,” especially the evaluation section, since it frequently aligns with interview-style questions. For memorizing specific facts, flashcards are recommended, with tools like Quizlet and Anki mentioned as options for creating and sharing decks.

Overall, the strategy is explicitly iterative: practice reveals gaps, study closes them, and more practice confirms improvement. Retesting is available if needed, but the goal is to keep cycling until confidence is high enough to aim for well above the 70-per-section pass mark—ideally targeting around 90 so that even with a few surprises, scores are unlikely to drop to the minimums.