Musical Aptitude Tests FAQs

https://medium.com/@lorraineliyanage/everything-you-need-to-know-about-music-scholarships-to-state-secondary-schools-in-the-uk-ea4233818ac3

https://www.guitarteacherbushey.co.uk/11-plus-music-aptitude-tests/ - lots of different questions to include

How do I book a musical aptitude lesson?

You can book your child in for a musical aptitude lesson here (subject to availability)

How to I book in for a parental consultation session or a Q and A session?

You can book in here (subject to availability)

Why are there no available lessons/parental consultations/Q and A sessions to sign up for?

If lessons have been signed up for already, there won’t be any events available to sign up for, but make sure you follow me on eventbrite here to get notified when more musical aptitude lesson slots, parental guidance and Q and A sessions are released so that you don’t miss out!

How frequently do the musical aptitude lessons get released and how will I know when they are available?

It depends on my schedule - I try to offer monthly lessons/sessions, dependant upon my availability. If you follow me on eventbrite here you’ll be notified when musical aptitude lesson slots, parental guidance sessions and Q and A sessions are available to sign up for.

Do you cover all parts of the test - MAT and performance in your lesson?

It depends on how many lessons you sign up for and how much work is required on the different sections of the exam as to whether I will have the opportunity to cover all of this.

Once I’ve seen how your child performs in the first lesson I can advise as to how many lessons will be required to help them further. But please be aware one 30 minute lesson will not be enough to cover: sitting a MAT mock , developing skillset for the MAT, hearing a performance, giving feedback and cover and work on the other elements which can be included as part of the test. I’m fortunate to be able to offer this service having studied 4 musical instruments, which means that I have a great breath of knowledge.

Do you do group musical aptitude lessons?

Not at the moment, but they may be offered in the future.

What is the MAT test?

It stands for musical aptitude test, sometimes referred to as 11 plus music scholarship. It’s a test which some state schools use in order to select pupils who demonstrate innate musicality. Read more here

Why take the Musical Aptitude Test?

Places at top state schools are sought after and competition is high due. If you live outside the school catchment area (,if the school has one), it makes being awarded a place even more challenging. By sitting the musical aptitude test it gives talented students the potential to gain a place to their desired school.

Which schools use the MAT?

Check them out here - They’ve been arranged by county

How many places are available?

Usually around 10% of places are awarded to pupils who score most highly in the musical aptitude test. Of course this percentage/number of places differs from school to school, as the policies and admissions at each school is different. Check these policies out here

When do we need to have applied by?

Each school has different application dates and musical aptitude test dates. Check each school’s admissions and prospectus for more info. I’ve detailed the links here under each school’s heading.

What is required? How do I pass?

There isn’t a pass mark as such - it depends on how the candidates perform as a group as the school will usually select the top ‘x’ amount of pupils to go through to the next round/be awarded a scholarship. I’ve detailed this further here

What are the schools looking for in students which take the musical aptitude test?

Good Question! They are looking for students who have an innate musicality which the school are looking to develop. Check out more detail on this here.

What would be required of a pupil who is awarded a musical aptitude place?

Students will be required to take part in the musical life at the school - concerts and performances, choirs, orchestras, music trips etc. Some schools set out clear prerequisites which the student would be committing to, should the student take up the place; for example, taking graded exams, sitting GCSE music, but each school is different in their requirements so do check out the admissions information and policy for the school(s) which you are interested in, before applying and discuss it with your child to ensure that they would be happy to make such commitments.

Should I enter my child?

Firstly make sure that you read the admissions for the school which you are applying to, to make sure that your child can - for example some schools ask for pupils to sing or play a piece(s) of music so make sure that your child can do this.

Make sure that they understand and agree to whatever commitments would be required of them if they were to gain a place.

If your child has a real interest in music - as it would be a commitment for them, should they be awarded a place as they will have to keep to this agreement should they be awarded a place.

If you have considered all of the above, then Yes!

What standard do students need to be, realistically, on their chosen instrument (voice included), should they need to perform as part of the testing process?

It’s difficult to give a precise answer on this, as the required standard will depend on the rest of the competition. At some schools the desired standard will be higher than others. If your child has just passed grade 1 on their instrument, the competition is likely to make gaining a place more challenging. But do check the admissions policy for the school, if they will need to perform as part of the selection process - not all schools require candidates to.

How can I practise?

Check out my practise materials which I’ve created here. Benefits? It’ll give your child exposure to a wide range of the sounds and an opportunity to experience potential question types. If your child signs up for a musical aptitude lesson I can help guide them and help to practise difficult sections of the test and give them experience of mock exams which is invaluable.

Any helpful tips?

Of course - more info here

Are the practice musical aptitude tests the same as what will be in the test?

They will be similar, not the same, although please remember that each year the musical aptitude test at you selected school(s) will be different to the last year. Remember they are looking for natural musical intuition so they don’t want it to be totally rehearsed to the extent that pupils can ‘learn’ the answers, hence why they will always change and vary the test so that it still aims to identifies these traits.

Do you have access to the test that my child will sit at their chosen school?

In short. No. No-one does, but the practise questions available will help to give them an idea of what they might expect.

Where can I download the practice Musical Aptitude Tests?

Here!

What makes the tests advanced?

I developed/created them personally. They are created with so much diversity in the type of sounds used - check out more information on them here.

I have some questions about the MAT - how can I contact you?

Of course I can help - Sign up for one of the parental sessions or a parental Q and A session here and I can talk you through the process.

GOOD LUCK!

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