Music Aptitude Tests for State Secondary School Music Scholarships – Page 2

Preparing for the Kingsdale Foundation School Music Aptitude Test

The SE22 Piano School is running a competition on Instagram. Win a 1-to-1 Music Aptitude Test scholarship preparation lesson in September 2023. All the info is here: https://musicaptitudetest.wordpress.com/2023/06/27/win-a-1-to-1-music-aptitude-test-scholarship-preparation-lesson-in-september-2023/

Full Music Scholarship Kingsdale Foundation School

Preparing for the Kingsdale Foundation School Music Aptitude Test can be an exciting opportunity for Year 5 students who are passionate about music. Here are some steps they can take to prepare for the test:

Familiarise yourself with the test format: Research and understand the structure and components of the Music Aptitude Test. This will give you an idea of what to expect and help you focus your preparation.
Develop your musical ear: The test primarily assesses your musical aptitude, so it’s important to train your ear. Listen to a wide variety of music, paying attention to different instruments, melodies, rhythms, and harmonies. Try to identify and differentiate between different musical elements.
Practice sight-reading: Sight-reading is an essential skill for musicians. Work on reading and playing music notation fluently. Start with simple pieces and gradually increase the difficulty level. You can find sight-reading exercises and resources online or through music books. This section of the test is optional but to make your audition stand out, we advise opting for this test if you have had the time to prepare for it. Please note not everybody is offered the option to do the sight-reading test. This may be due to time constraints or other factors on the day of the test.
Learn basic music theory: Familiarise yourself with fundamental music theory concepts such as notes, scales, intervals, and key signatures. Understanding these concepts will help you analyse and interpret music accurately during the test.
Play an instrument: If you don’t already play an instrument, consider learning one. Playing an instrument will enhance your musical skills, improve your ability to understand and perform music, and increase your overall music aptitude.
Sing and develop your voice: Vocal ability is often a component of music aptitude tests. Practice singing different melodies, scales, and exercises to develop your voice and improve your pitch accuracy.
Seek guidance from a music teacher: If possible, consult a music teacher or tutor who can provide personalised guidance and help you prepare for the specific requirements of the Kingsdale Foundation School Music Aptitude Test. They can identify your strengths and weaknesses and provide targeted practice exercises. We offer 1-to-1 Music Aptitude tutoring on Zoom. Book online here.
Mock tests and sample questions: Practice with mock tests and sample questions similar to those used in the Kingsdale Foundation School Music Aptitude Test. This will help you familiarise yourself with the types of questions and tasks you may encounter and improve your test-taking skills.
Stay consistent and practice regularly: Consistency is key when preparing for any test. Set aside dedicated time each day to practice music, whether it’s ear training, sight-reading, or playing your instrument. Regular practice will help you build confidence and improve your skills over time.

Remember that the purpose of the test is to assess your musical aptitude, so enjoy the process and have fun with music along the way. Good luck!

Book a 1-to-1 Zoom Lesson:

Win a phone call or lesson with a Music Aptitude Test Scholarship expert

Leave your piano teacher a Google review

We have some special offers this Summer for our students at the SE22 Piano School. Leave us a review on Google or Facebook and you will receive either a free 15-minute phone call or a 30-minute lesson to help you prepare for the Music Aptitude Test. We recommend starting to prepare for this test in Year 4 or 5 onwards. The test takes place in Autumn of Year 6 for your chosen secondary school. Many of our students have Kingsdale at the top of their list as this is very near to us. Haberdashers, Norwood and Prendergast are popular choices too that all use the same test. Here is what we cover in a 1-to-1 lesson:

Speak to your teacher for more information about the Music Aptitude Test in September if you would like to start preparing for a scholarship. Early preparation is advised as the scholarship places are highly competitive.

Many other schools across the UK use these tests and we can tailor the lesson to the exact needs of your chosen school. We also prepare students for private school scholarship to JAGS, Dulwich College, Alleyn’s just to name a few of our local schools in Southwark.

Advice hotline for the Music Aptitude Test and Scholarship: Your questions answered on Pensight.

It’s peak season for Music Aptitude Test enquiries now that the sun is out! Some schools such as Ashmole Academy and Claremont High School Academy are holding their test earlier on 10/11 June 2023 so there has been an influx of enquiries from parents over the half-term break.

I have been preparing students for successful scholarship entry for nearly 15 years and my colleague Mirna has been offering the same for around a decade. We are available for 1 hour 1-to-1 lessons on Zoom or shorter Q&A sessions to answer all of your burning questions about the Music Aptitude Test.

I am offering a service on Pensight to help demystify and guide you through the Music Scholarship process. Ask me your questions about the Music Aptitude Test or schedule a 15 minute consultation call to assess readiness for the tests.

Find out more here:

https://pensight.com/x/musicaptitudetest

I receive hundreds of emails every month in the peak season of enquiries from May to September and it would be impossible for me to answer all of them or even to try and call back 10% of the parents that message for free advice. I have, however, created a regularly updated Frequently Asked Questions section on the MAT web site for you to browse as the questions I receive by email are often the same question repeated in a similar format. It would be groundhog day to spend my day answering information that I have already taken the time to put online. Read the FAQs.

If you are interested in getting help with the MAT, I encourage you to check out my website. I have a wealth of information available, including practice questions, tips, and advice. I also offer a variety of paid services, including one-on-one consultations and access to my library of resources.

I understand that some parents may be disappointed that I do not offer free phone calls. However, I believe that my paid information service is the best way for parents to get the help they need. I am confident that my services will help your child succeed on the MAT.

Thank you for your understanding.

Additional tips:

If you are unable to afford my paid information service, there are other resources available to you. Your child’s school may offer music classes or workshops that can help them prepare for the MAT. There are also many books and websites that offer information about the MAT.
The most important thing is to start preparing early. The MAT is a challenging test, and it takes time to develop the skills necessary to succeed.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are many people who are willing to help you and your child prepare for the MAT.