Music Dept. Placement Exams

Music Theory Placement Exam dates for Spring 2023

Online Music Theory Placement Exam:
Friday, January 6, 2023 at 1:00 PM 

 
In-Person Music Theory Placement Exam:
Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 12:00 PM 

Sign-up for both offerings of the Music Theory Placement Exam will open September 20, 2022.

Music Theory Placement Exam

The Music Theory Placement Exam is for students who have taken formal music theory training either through college-level classes (including AP Music Theory) or private instruction, and wish to place into Music Theory I or higher. Transfer students with prior music theory credits are required to take the Music Theory Placement Exam before those credits can be applied to their degree. Students who do not test into Music Theory I or higher will be required to take MUS 1010 Essential Music Theory Skills.

To help determine which level of theory placement is best for you, refer to the Theory Placement Exam Guidelines (PDF).

Students who have never studied music theory before are recommended to take MUS 1010 Essential Music Theory Skills rather than the Music Theory Placement Exam.

The Music Theory Placement Exam is offered both online and in-person during the dates/times listed above. Students may only take the exam once per semester, either online or in-person. The exam consists of three timed assessments: written, aural skills, and sight-singing.

What to Expect for the In-Person Music Theory Placement Exam

The in-person Music Theory Placement Exam is offered during the January and August Audition Days. Students are expected to bring a pencil and eraser and arrive 15 minutes prior to the start time of the exam to check-in with Music Department Staff. The exam takes between 1.5 – 3 hours depending on the level of theory being tested into. Students testing out of the music theory sequence must take the in-person exam.

What to Expect for the Online Music Theory Placement Exam

Students testing into levels I – IV have the option of taking their Music Theory Placement Exam online. Students testing out of the music theory sequence must take an in-person exam.

At the start of the online exam, students will be emailed a link to the first assessment by the proctor, who will be available via email throughout the duration of the exam to answer any questions or concerns.

Items to have ready before beginning your online Music Theory Placement Exam:

• Pencil and eraser
• Blank Staff Paper (if you cannot print this and do not have your own blank staff paper, please draw lines of staff before the test)
  • Music Theory I: 11 lines of staff
  • Music Theory II: 13 lines of staff
  • Music Theory III: 10 lines of staff
  • Music Theory IV: 7 lines of staff
• A scanner, smartphone camera, or a camera that can quickly upload a photo and video to your computer
• Headphones or a computer speaker
• A YouTube account
• YouTube app (if uploading your video via mobile device)

Class Piano Placement Exam

Students with prior piano instruction or students testing into advanced levels of Music Theory may take the Class Piano Placement Exam to place into advanced levels of Class Piano. Students have the option of testing into Class Piano II, Class Piano III, or out of the Class Piano requirement entirely by taking the Piano Proficiency Exam.

The requirements for each level of Class Piano Placement vary; please refer to the packets below for preparation information.

Class Piano Placement Exams are held by appointment.

To schedule a Class Piano Exam, contact Jooeun Pak, [email protected].