About the Music Theory Placement Exam
The Music Theory Placement Exam is administered to all incoming students to determine readiness for the College of Music’s four-semester theory sequence. This exam is not used to determine admission to the College of Music.
Students who do not pass the Theory Placement Exam are required to take Theory Fundamentals (MUTH 1260), a preparatory course for Music Theory I. MUTH 1260 (3 credits) does not apply to the Bachelor’s of Music degree.
Students who do not pass the Theory Placement Exam prior to the start of classes will be required to attend Theory Jump Start, a remedial session designed to help students pass the Theory Placement Exam. This class is offered the day before classes begin and concludes with a final opportunity to pass the Theory Placement Exam.
Why should this matter to you?
Students who pass the Theory Placement Exam are allowed to take Music Theory I (MUTH 1400) and additional courses that count toward the Bachelor’s of Music degree. They include:
- MUTH 1410 (Aural Skills I)
- MUAG 1011-1014 (Keyboard Skills for Music Majors)
- MUMH 1600 (Music in Human Imagination)
- MUCP 1180 (Beginning Composition)
- MUJS 1360 (Jazz Fundamentals)
- MUJS 1361 (Jazz Aural Fundamentals)
Students who do not pass the Theory Placement Exam must successfully complete MUTH 1260 before enrolling in these courses.
Study Guides and Practice Exams
The links on the left side of this page provide information about the Theory Placement Exam:
- NOTES: provides examples of notes and letter names using the treble and bass clefs
- SCALES: provides examples of major and minor scales (pure minor, harmonic minor, melodic minor) using the treble and bass clefs
- KEY SIGNATURES: provides the key signatures for all keys (major and minor) using the treble and bass clefs
- INTERVALS: provides the types and names of intervals (ascending and descending) in the treble and bass clefs
- PRACTICE TESTS: provides examples of the types of questions that will be asked on the Theory Placement Exam
Students may take the Theory Placement Exam up to three times prior to the start of classes. It is offered on Audition Day, during Freshmen Orientation, and at the conclusion of Theory Jump Start.
Questions regarding the Theory Placement Exam may be directed to Dr. Joán Groom (joan.groom@unt.edu) or Dr. David Schwarz (david.schwarz@unt.edu).