Sample Entrance Assessment

On the following pages is a sample Entrance Assessment. The Music Department's Entrance Assessment is taken by all students applying to register for MUSC 1101: Materials of Music I. This is a core (required) course for Music programmes: B. Mus., B.A. (Honours and Major in Music), Minor in Music. The Assessment must also be written by non-programme students wishing to register for MUSC 1101. The Assessment allows the Department to determine whether you have the background in basic music theory and aural skills necessary for success in this course.

The Entrance Assessment is in two parts:

1. Aural Musicianship Skills, in which we assess your proficiency at a number of basic aural skills,
2. Musical Knowledge, in which we assess your knowledge of theory rudiments, of common Italian musical terms, and of basic musical and historical concepts.

The sample Assessment on the following pages is identical in format to the actual one. If your computer and Web browser have the ability to play MIDI files, you can hear sound examples for the Aural Musicianship Skills questions. You can also check your answers for each question of this sample Assessment. (This feature appears not to work with Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser; you should use a different browser for proper results.)

Assessment Menu

Part 1: Aural Musicianship Skills

Question 1: Melodic Interval Recognition
Question 2: Harmonic Interval Recognition
Question 3: Rhythmic Pattern Recognition
Question 4: Melodic Pattern Recognition
Question 5: Triad Quality Recognition

Part 2: Musical Knowledge

Question 1: Notation of Rhythm
Question 2: Scales
Question 3: Chords and Cadence Types
Question 4: Key Signatures and Scale Degrees
Question 5: Written Intervals
Question 6: Italian Musical Terms
Question 7: Musical and Historical Concepts