The Ontario Math Proficiency Test (MPT), explained

What is the Ontario Math Proficiency Test?

The Math Proficiency Test (MPT) is a mandatory assessment that most Ontario teacher-certification candidates must pass before they can obtain a Certificate of Qualification and Registration (CQR) from the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT). It exists to confirm that teachers entering Ontario classrooms have a solid grasp of the maths they will teach, and the pedagogical knowledge to teach it effectively.

If you are working toward Ontario certification — or if you are an internationally educated teacher (IET) seeking to transfer your credentials — the MPT is almost certainly on your path.

A brief history: reinstated in 2025

The MPT was first introduced under Ontario Regulation 271/19, then struck down by the courts in 2021. The government appealed successfully, and the test was reinstated effective 1 February 2025 under an amended regulation (O. Reg. 204/24). It is currently in force and is a firm certification requirement.

This is not a test in limbo — it has survived legal challenge and has a clear regulatory basis. Candidates applying for a general CQR on or after 1 February 2025 need to factor it into their timeline.

Who must sit the MPT?

The requirement applies to most applicants for a general CQR. There are two groups who are exempt:

• Teachers who already hold a CQR granted before 1 February 2025.
• Graduates of Indigenous-language teacher education programs.

If neither of those applies to you, the MPT is on your list.

Internationally educated teachers

IETs face an additional consideration. If you receive your initial Ontario certification before passing the MPT, you have a 2-year window from the date of that initial certification to pass the test. If you do not pass within that window, your certification expires. This makes early, focused preparation especially important for IETs — leaving it until late in the two-year period carries real risk.

Who administers it, and how is it delivered?

The MPT is developed and administered by EQAO (Education Quality and Accountability Office). EQAO reports your result — “Successful” or “Not Yet Successful” — to the OCT within 10 days of sitting the test.

The test is delivered online, with two options:

• In person at an approved test centre.
• Remote-proctored — sat from home or another private location, with live online supervision.

Both options access the same test. Choose whichever suits your circumstances.

Cost and attempts

One of the most unusual features of the MPT: it is completely free, with unlimited attempts. You book one session at a time, and if you are not yet successful, you simply register for the next available window.

The test is offered at least three times per year in both English and French. For 2026–27, the windows are:

• Spring 2026: 20 April – 6 June 2026
• Fall 2026: 1 October – 14 November 2026
• Winter 2027: 28 January – 20 March 2027
• Spring 2027: 13 April – 29 May 2027

The absence of a financial penalty for retaking the test is genuinely reassuring — but it can also create a false sense of latitude. Certification timelines, placement offers, and the IET two-year deadline mean that passing first time is almost always the better outcome.

What does the MPT cover?

The test has two sections, both all-multiple-choice:

• Mathematics Curriculum — content mapped to the Ontario Grades 3–9 maths curriculum, including both calculator and no-calculator items. This section makes up at least 70 per cent of the test by composition.
• Pedagogy — assesses foundational knowledge of the maths curriculum, assessment and evaluation practices, and teaching approaches for all students.

To pass, you must reach 70% or above on each section in the same sitting. You cannot carry a passed section forward to a future attempt. We cover the format and pass standard in full in our companion post.

Where to find official resources

EQAO publishes official practice tests, webinars, and preparation materials at mathproficiencytest.ca. Start there — the practice tests are the single most accurate signal of what to expect.

How SN Academy can help

SN Academy’s Ontario MPT preparation course walks you through the Grades 3–9 maths content and the pedagogy knowledge areas the test covers, with practice questions, worked solutions, and a free diagnostic test to show you exactly where your gaps are.

Start with a free diagnostic test at SN Academy →

— The people of SN Academy