MTAC Certification and Examination 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How often must MTAC-certified teachers renew their certification to remain in good standing?
- Every year
- Every two years (Correct answer)
- Every three years
- Every five years
Correct answer: Every two years
MTAC certification renewal is required every two years to maintain active standing.
Question 2: Which organization administers the Certificate of Merit (CM) program in California?
- California Department of Education
- Music Teachers National Association
- Music Teachers' Association of California (Correct answer)
- Royal Conservatory of Music
Correct answer: Music Teachers' Association of California
The Certificate of Merit program is administered statewide by MTAC.
Question 3: At which CM level does a student first encounter sight-reading as a graded component?
- Preparatory
- Level 1
- Level 2 (Correct answer)
- Level 3
Correct answer: Level 2
Sight-reading becomes a formally graded component of the CM evaluation beginning at Level 2.
Question 4: What happens if a CM student does not pass one section of the evaluation?
- They must retake the entire exam the following year
- They receive a partial certificate for passed sections only
- They may retake only the failed section at a makeup evaluation (Correct answer)
- Their enrollment is suspended for one cycle
Correct answer: They may retake only the failed section at a makeup evaluation
Students who fail a single section may retake that section at a designated makeup evaluation rather than repeating the full exam.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of the MTAC Branch Evaluation held before the state CM evaluation?
- To assign teachers a performance rating
- To screen and prepare students for the statewide evaluation (Correct answer)
- To certify branch officers
- To satisfy continuing education requirements
Correct answer: To screen and prepare students for the statewide evaluation
Branch evaluations serve as a preparatory screening step that readies students for the official statewide Certificate of Merit evaluation.
Question 6: Which of the following is NOT a discipline offered under the MTAC Certificate of Merit program?
- Piano
- Voice
- Guitar
- Orchestral Conducting (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Orchestral Conducting
Orchestral conducting is not a Certificate of Merit discipline; CM covers piano, voice, guitar, violin, and other instrument tracks.
Question 7: A teacher wants to enter students in CM but has not yet joined MTAC. What is the first required step?
- Submit student repertoire lists directly to the branch
- Become an Active member of an MTAC branch (Correct answer)
- Pass the MTAC Teacher Competency Exam
- Obtain a California teaching credential
Correct answer: Become an Active member of an MTAC branch
Only Active MTAC members in good standing are eligible to enroll students in the Certificate of Merit program.
MTAC Certification and Examination 2
How often must MTAC-certified teachers renew their certification to remain in good standing?