Most Schools of Music require a three-part entrance exam as part of the audition process, designed to evaluate your musical knowledge, listening skills, and vocal ability. While your solo performance often takes center stage, this exam plays a crucial supporting role in determining your readiness for collegiate-level music study.

Each section—written theory, aural dictation, and sight singing—spotlights a different aspect of your musicianship. This guide breaks down what to expect, how to prepare, and offers practical strategies to help you approach the exam with focus, skill, and a strong sense of readiness.

Part 1: Written Exam

The written exam typically lasts about 45 minutes and includes approximately 50 questions. Most of these focus on music theory, but you can also expect questions on musical terms and music history.

Tips for Success:

• Skim the entire exam first. This gives you a sense of what’s being asked.
• Start with what you know. Answer the questions you’re confident about first.
• Look for related questions. Sometimes one question will help you figure out another.
• Read slowly and carefully. Hints are often hidden in the wording.
• Always attempt an answer. Trust your instincts—you may be closer than you think.
• Use a pencil. You’ll want to erase and revise as you go.
• In the final 5 minutes, double-check your work. Make sure your notation is clean and accurate.

Part 2: Aural Dictation

In this section, you will listen to short musical examples and transcribe them by ear.

Tips for Success:

• Start by identifying the first and last notes. They are often the same.
• The excerpt will usually be played three times.
• First hearing: Focus on rhythm. Lightly mark stems and a rhythmic pattern under the staff. Don’t forget the time signature!
• Second hearing: Listen for stepwise motion. Pencil in pitches that match the rhythm you just mapped.
• Third hearing: Listen for leaps and specific intervals—especially the major third, perfect fifth, and octave.
• Pay attention to direction. If the melody moves upward, your notes should move up the staff—and vice versa.
• If writing in four parts, focus first on the soprano and bass lines. If your theory knowledge is solid, you can fill in alto and tenor later.
• Relax. Don’t let fear or intimidation take over. You’ve got this.

Part 3: Sight Singing

This section is usually recorded and guided by a current student or graduate assistant.

What to Expect:

• Pitch Matching: A note will be played, and you’ll be asked to sing it back. Sing confidently.
• Major Scale: You’ll be asked to sing a major scale—starting on a pitch of your choice or one that is given.
• Minor Scale: Usually a natural minor scale, often starting on the same pitch as the major scale you just sang.
• Sight-Singing Excerpts: You’ll be given short melodies to sing.

Sight-Singing Tips:

• Identify the key (major or minor).
• Look for stepwise patterns—these are usually just parts of a scale.
• Identify and rehearse intervals before singing.
• Sing with full tone and keep going, even if you make a mistake.
• Pay attention to style clues. For example, don’t sing something marked “Lullaby” like it’s a Sousa march.

Final Advice

Treat this exam with the same importance as your solo performance. It’s not just about what you know—it’s about how you respond. Some questions may be unfamiliar, and that’s intentional. Faculty want to see how you handle pressure and whether you give up or push through.

Remember: This is also a performance. Perform all the way to the final note.