Music Scholarship Entry to the West London Free School. It’s nearly time for the auditions for this hugely popular secondary school. Here’s how you can help prepare for the Musical Aptitude Test.

One of the most popular secondary schools in West London offers just 12 spaces on a Music Scholarship place. These places are highly sought after and awarded to students playing at a higher than average level.

If selected, scholars are expected to make a commitment to their musical education – arriving at school early on some days, giving up their lunch break on others, ensuring they practise their chosen instrument regularly, etc. The programme aims to develop the practical abilities of scholars and deepen their understanding of how music works. Keyboard skills, ensemble playing, pitch perception and music theory are at the centre of these lessons, along with learning to use notation and sequencing software. 

Why Sit the Test?

  • A priority place at WLFS, regardless of catchment area.
  • A half hour instrumental or singing lesson each week, paid for by the school.
  • Theory of music classes on Wednesdays at 8.00am.
  • Membership of the school choir.
  • Sight-singing classes.

What is Included in the Test?

The test at Year 7 is designed to identify pupils who have musical potential as well as those who already study an instrument. So long as your child has a love of music, we would encourage you to apply. The test lasts 5 to 10 minutes and assesses pitch perception and sense of rhythm/pulse. The candidates will not be asked to prepare anything or bring an instrument, as the test is completed entirely vocally. It is not a test of vocal quality.

Can I Download Any Training Materials?

We do offer a digital download which is useful preparation for these styles of tests. However as the WLFS test is entirely vocal then we recommend booking a 1-to-1 lesson to work on general musical ability in the style of tests you might hear on the day. Please note the tests varies each year so we cannot guarantee what you will hear on the day.

How do I book a 1-to-1 lesson?

You can book online on Eventbrite which shows all available times. Our teachers fit these lessons around their weekly teaching commitments so there are no other slots available other than what is listed.

Music Aptitude Tests with Graphic Scores

What is the Music Aptitude Test? The test is used by state secondary schools in the UK to select a percentage of their intake on a music scholarship programme. The Standard Test covers Pitch, Texture, Rhythm and Melody and is designed to test a young person’s natural music aptitude. The MAT is used in Stage 1 of the test.

The Enhanced Test includes supplementary questions and graphic scores to cover the 7-section Music Aptitude Test in the style of the test used for Ashmole Academy. Ashmole hold their MAT earlier than most other UK schools. This usually takes place in June of Year 5.

We offer 1-to-1 lessons to help you prepare for the style of tests you will hear. Book a session online: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/se22-piano-school-16475016451

Music Aptitude Test: SW Herts Consortium Schools. Dates for 2024 Admissions.

Music Aptitude Tests for all SW Herts Consortium schools 11+ entry  take place in the Autumn term. Most schools will conduct the test on the same day so please check the school web site and note the date in your diary.

Key Testing Dates 2023 for Secondary Transfer 2024

Online registration for the tests opens Tuesday 11th April 
Registration Closes Friday 16th June
Date of Test Venue Notification Friday 7th July (around noon)

The following schools select a percentage of their intake via a Music Aptitude system. Check the links below to confirm the stats for this year’s intake.

Parmiter’s School
25% of places selected on general ability, 10% of places for aptitude for Music

Queens’ School (Bushey)
265 places in Year 7. 35% of places selected on general ability, 5% for musical aptitude, 5% for sporting aptitude

Rickmansworth School
185 places in Year 7. 25% of places selected on general ability, 10% of places for musical aptitude

St Clement Danes School (Chorleywood)
208 places. 10% general ability, 10% musical aptitude

Watford Grammar School for Boys
190 places in Year 7. 25% of places selected on general ability, 10% of places for musical aptitude.

Watford Grammar School for Girls
180 places in Year 7. 45 (25%) of places selected on academic ability, 18 (10%) of places for musical aptitude. There were 570 applications in 2010.

Other partially selective non-consortium schools

Dame Alice Owen’s School
32.5% of places selected for general ability, 5% for aptitude in Music

Bishops Stortford High School
155 places in Year 7, 5% of places selected for sporting aptitude, 5% for musical aptitude

Hertfordshire and Essex High School (Stortford)
160 places in Year 7, 5% of places selected for sporting aptitude, 5% for musical aptitude

Hockerill Anglo-European College (Bishops Stortford)
120 places in Year 7: 68 day places and 52 boarding places. 7 places allocated for linguistic aptitude, 3 places of musical aptitude and 2 places for aptitude in both subjects

Information on this page was believed to be correct at the time of writing, but we would not necessarily be aware of subsequent changes unless someone brings them to our attention.  Before acting on any information given here, please verify that it is up to date.


You can download and practice the specimen Aural Tests online so that you know what kind of tests to expect.

Music Aptitude Test web site:
https://www.se22piano.co.uk/buy-the-music-aptitude-tests/

We offer 1-to-1 Music Aptitude Test & Music Scholarship Training SE22 Piano School in East Dulwich. [Book Now]


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