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Announcing a new school that is using the Music Aptitude Test for 2016 admissions: Ousedale School in Olney Buckinghamshire. Up to 36 Year 7 places are available for students who live outside the school’s defined area and can demonstrate an aptitude for music.

You can download and practice the specimen Aural Tests online so that you know what kind of tests to expect. There may be some variation in the tests used on the day.

Music Aptitude Test web site:
https://musicaptitudetest.wordpress.com/

Newport Pagnell school also uses the same test.

The test consists of 60 questions, split into four sections; PITCH, MELODY, TEXTURE and RHYTHM.

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. There are 20 of these questions and some of the pitches are less than a semitone apart.

TEXTURE: For these questions candidates listen to a number of notes played together at the same time. Candidates need to indicate whether the chord is made up of 2, 3 or 4 notes. There are 20 questions.

MELODY: For these questions candidates listen to two melodies consisting of five notes. Candidates have to decide whether the second melody 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 note number. There are 10 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 on what beat (or pulse) the difference occurs. Each rhythm will be four beats (or pulses) in length. There are 10 questions is this final section.

Candidates will be expected to circle the correct answers on their mark sheets. The test does not require any previous knowledge of music theory.

Applications to take the assessment must be received by mid-day Monday 21st September 2015.

Music Aptitude Test web site:
https://musicaptitudetest.wordpress.com/
[Music Aptitude Form to return by mid-day Monday 21st September 2015]