I will be regularly blogging with tips on how to ace the Music Aptitude Test. Lots of my students in Year 5 are thinking ahead to September and how they will prepare for the MATs this Autumn.
The trickiest section, by far, is the Texture section. Here’s a video that I did recently to give you some tips on how to distinguish 2, 3 and 4 notes. I will also be running monthly group and individual training sessions so do get in touch if you would like to book a session. For all of my piano students, Music Aptitude Test training is included as part of the weekly lesson. We have students gaining scholarships each year to local schools such as Kingsdale, Haberdashers and Prendergast. Our tests have been successfully used by students applying to schools across the UK including Ashmole Academy, Parmiter’s, Dame Alice Owen and more! Have a look at our dedicated Music Aptitude Test web site for full information and lots more tips. You can also download the training tests materials that we use in lessons.
Music Scholarship Preparation at the SE22 Piano School
London Year 6 students: Don’t miss the deadline to apply to Dame Alice Owen’s School on a Music Aptitude Test scholarship place for September 2024 entry. The important dates are listed below:
4th September 2023 – Entrance Exam Part 1 / Musical Aptitude Test Part 1
15th September 2023 – Musical Aptitude Test Part 1 results emailed out
19th September 2023 – Entrance Exam Part 1 results emailed out
23rd September 2023 – Entrance Exam Part 2
w/c 25th September 2023 – 2nd Round Musical Aptitude tests
Pitch: for these questions, candidates listen to two sounds and have to indicate whether the second sound is the same as the first, or whether it is higher or lower. Some of the pitches are less than a semitone apart. 20 questions.
Melody: for these questions, candidates listen to two tunes consisting of five notes. Candidates have to decide whether the second tune is the same as the first or if one of the notes has been altered. If there is a change, candidates will be expected to identify which note has been altered, by giving the number of the note. 10 questions.
Texture: for these questions, candidates listen to a number of notes played together at the same time; this is called a chord. Candidates need to decide whether or not each chord has two, three or four notes. 20 questions.
Rhythm: for these questions, candidates listen to two patterns of notes and have to decide whether the second pattern is the same as, or different from, the first, and where any difference occurs. Each rhythm will be four beats (or pulses) in length. 10 questions.
Letters with results of the first Musical Aptitude test will be sent out within 10 days of the tests taking place.
Children achieving 47 marks or above will be invited to attend a second Musical Aptitude Test. Nb. this score may vary each year.
For this second test, each child is allocated a 5 minute slot to perform on their preferred instrument/s (voice included). There is a totally free choice of piece(s) and the child can perform on more than one instrument if they prefer.
Results of the second Musical Aptitude test will be sent by letter before the end of October and may be helpful to parents when making their child’s school application. Parents who wish to apply for a place at Dame Alice Owen’s School must include it as one of their preferences when making their child’s secondary transfer application via their home Local Authority.
The start of the new school year means it’s time for the Music Aptitude Tests and Scholarship auditions. This year my daughter and several of her school friends will be sitting the test for our local schools such as Kingsdale, Prendergast and Habs.
We’ve been spending the Summer working on the MAT training materials as well as a little bit of practice on the pieces they’ll perform at the audition. There’s still plenty of time to get started if you haven’t already given the tests a go. So far, everyone has found the Texture section the most tricky, so here’s a helpful video with tips for this section. Nb. Kingsdale don’t use the MAT, just standard aural tests and optional sight-reading plus brief interview questions.
Keep an eye out for our new article in the Scholarships supplement publication from Music Teacher Magazine all about the Music Aptitude Test and State School Scholarships. Released on 1st September.
