Placement Exams

All classical and orchestral program applicants are required to take placement tests. The theory test is a written, progressive examination that lasts between 15 minutes and 2 hours, depending on the proficiency of the applicant. Aural skills tests are individual and last between 3 and 5 minutes. Pianists (including doctoral applicants) are required to take a short sight-reading exam. Singers will be asked to sight-sing during their auditions. Placement testing for keyboard skills proficiency (for non-piano majors) and a qualifying test in music history take place in August before the fall semester begins and in January at the beginning of the spring semester. Students applying for the doctoral program test separately during the audition period with a written comprehensive exam covering music theory and music history. Jazz program applicants take jazz placement tests, which are administered at the beginning of each semester.

All students for whom English is not their first language are required to take the English Language Placement Examination. The only exceptions are doctoral students. Read more about this exam on our Incoming Student Information page.

Deficiency Courses

Students are required to complete all deficiency courses successfully before registering for classes prescribed in their course sequence plans. Deficiency courses become part of a student’s degree or diploma program. They may not be used to fulfill requirements (with the exception of JC2201-2202, TH2882 and MH1001-1004). The length of a degree or diploma program may be extended for students who are required to take deficiency courses. Students required to take English Language courses should be aware that this will cause their program to be extended for one additional year or more.

Qualifying Examinations

If a student is already capable of meeting the requirements for a particular course, he or she may demonstrate proficiency through a qualifying examination. Qualifying examinations are offered in Aural Skills, Fretboard Harmony (Guitar majors only), Keyboard Skills (Piano, Organ, and Accompanying majors only), Music History, Required Piano (non-keyboard and non-guitar majors only), Sight-Singing, and Theory. Applications for these examinations are available in the Office of the Registrar. A fee is charged for Aural Skills, Sight-Singing, Theory, Required Piano, and Keyboard Skills examinations.

Students will be allowed to take a Theory placement or qualifying examination for a particular course only once.

• To download a printable pdf of the qualifying exam schedule for Fall 2008, click here.
• To download a printable pdf of the Theory/Aural Skills qualifying exam registration form for Fall 2008, click here.
• To download a printable pdf of the Required Piano/Keyboard Skills qualifying exam registration form for Fall 2008, click here.