We are offering packages for Music Aptitude Test tutoring including a 10 minute Zoom Consultation Call prior to the lessons. See here for more information:
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I receive a high volume of emails daily about Music Scholarships and Music Aptitude Tests for Secondary School Admissions so I am not always available to individually respond to emails but I have included some frequently asked questions below. I do hope this will offer some assistance and I aim to keep this page updated as time permits. Please do also consult your own music teacher with your enquiries as most teachers can answer these questions for you.
If you require further assistance, please book a 1-to-1 Consultation Lesson where you can find out all about the Scholarship process, receive feedback on your performance and, time permitting, receive a plan of preparation for the scholarship date. We also have a special tutoring package available to use before the end of June 2024. See here for information & pricing comparison.
What is the date of the MAT Test for {Name of School}?
Check the school web site and prospectus for this information. All schools have this readily available online.
What is the pass mark for the MAT Test?
Some schools publish a pass mark and we list this information online if we have it. However, many schools do not publish any pass mark and use a criteria such as the top 10% will continue to Round 2. As always, check with the school directly for this information as the tests can change from year to year so only the information in the latest prospectus should be considered correct.
My child is Grade 3 violin and Grade 2 clarinet. Do you think he has a realistic chance of getting a scholarship?
We are unable to make any assessments by email without having met a musician in person and spoken to them about their musical goals and ambitions as well as having heard them play. We are able to offer this advice at a Consultation Lesson but we cannot provide an answer by email as it would not be appropriate to do so having never met a musician. We can tell you that lesser-played instruments can be accepted at a lower grade but more common instruments will need to be played at a higher than average level. Remember that scholarship implies a level of playing well above the average.
I emailed you but I only get an auto-reply.
We do not usually have the time to respond individually to any emails requesting free advice or phone calls but you can ask us a question on Instagram or by email and we will update the FAQ page approximately once a month with an answer. We are busy music teachers with a large weekly teaching roster so we devote any spare time to MAT training during the busy season. This means we are not usually available for phone calls. However this very comprehensive FAQ guide does cover the same questions that we are asked each year so do please have a ready through as I am sure you will find the answer to your question in here. You can also book a Zoom 1-to-1 session with us to ask any questions about the process as we have dedicated slots for tuition online here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/music-scholarship-aptitude-1-to-1-lessons-with-ben-or-mirna-on-zoom-tickets-152094367347
Do you prepare students for Kingsdale Foundation School as they do not use the standard MAT test?
Yes, we have been preparing students for Kingsdale for over a decade and are fully up to speed with the aural tests, interview questions and audition style that they use including the new variations from 2023. Do remember that the tests change each year but using our training materials download and/or 1-to-1 lessons will help familiarise you with the style of tests you will hear on the day of the audition.
Can anyone book a consultation lesson with you or is that just for your own students?Consultation lessons are ad hoc lessons open to musicians that are not currently studying with me. For my own regular piano, cello and harpsichord students at the SE22 Piano School, I include MAT and Scholarship Training as part of their weekly lesson. Mirna does the same for her piano, singing and guitar students. I usually start preparing my students when they are in Year 5 for the scholarships.
My son only sings. Is that suitable for the MAT?
Yes the voice is considered an instrument.
Is it possible to buy just the graphic score part of your test materials? I already have the other 4 sections.
This question is from a London-based music teacher who purchased our materials a while ago and uses us these in lessons with her students. It would actually be an onerous amount of admin to separate the tests in this way and given that it is being used commercially, we feel it would be fair for the teacher in question to download the updated tests that include the graphic scores.
Do you have examples of the listening test for Marylebone school for girls?
We do not have the exact tests for any of the schools but we have created our training materials in line with the information published by the various schools. All schools follow a very similar format so we have created a toolkit to help familiarise students with the styles of test they will hear on the day. The training materials have been used with great success at passing Round One for most young musicians that show some natural aptitude and have allowed enough time to prepare in advance.
First of all I’d like some simple advice and info on the music aptitude tests and your prep methods/ services.
We include this video on our Eventbrite booking page for you to see the format of the lesson. It is tailored to the exact needs of your school(s). Furthermore we have a dedicated web site for the Music Aptitude Test and you can read all about that here. As above we do not respond to any requests for information that we have provided online. The comprehensive auto reply text links to all of the information you require. We keep our web site resources updated as regularly as we can and our site is one of the longest-standing sites dedicated to Music Aptitude Test training.
I wanted to ask if the tests which we can purchase contain multiple test samples?
Yes as described on our Music Aptitude Test web site there are 4 tests containing 60 questions plus ONE Enhanced Test with graphic scores as used by schools such as Ashmole Academy. Please note these are training materials only, not the exact same test you will hear on the day. It is impossible for us to know the exact contents of the test as the schools change the test each year.
My child has been playing their instrument for 2 years now. Would the aptitude test be something that is obtainable for children with this amount of music experience?
Depending on the instrument this could be possible if it is a lesser played instrument such as the trombone or drums. You can read more about this here.
I was wondering if you have any teacher to be familiar with MAT context for Twyford?
Yes we have prepared many students for Twyford and we can prepare students for any UK school as they all use a very similar set of questions for the Music Aptitude Test.
I can also see the 1-1 sessions at cost of £108, can you confirm the number of sessions please? You can book a Specialist Music Tutoring 11+ session on Eventbrite for £100 per hour. The fee of £8 goes directly to Eventbrite as part of their ticket-hosting service charge.
Please can you call me to discuss further?
You should always speak to your own music teacher first as they are usually able to answer your queries about the Music Aptitude Test. Should they be unfamiliar with the test then we can guide you through the Music Scholarship process during a Zoom call. You can use this one hour session for all of your questions, an assessment of your child’s current playing ability and/or for assistance with the Music Aptitude Tests. More than one session may be required depending on how many questions you have regarding the process. You can book online here.
Would 1 of these before his test be sufficient preparation?
Without meeting a student it is impossible to say. We have been preparing some students for a few weeks now, others for longer. Students that live nearby to our East Dulwich location and are applying for popular local schools such as Kingsdale often attend for half a term or a term in the months before they sit the Music Aptitude Test.
Would he be given any written test sheets?
No, the whole test is done verbally via Zoom. You can download sample training test materials to use with your teacher that you can print and fill in.
How soon before the test should he attend a session (day before / week before)?
The earlier the better to avoid leaving until the last minute. However we have very limited spaces left as this is our peak season for enquiries so we advise booking whatever space you can find as our teachers fit in these lessons around their usual weekly teaching commitments. If you were engaging the services of an 11+ tutor you would not engage them a week or two before the test so the earlier you prepare, the better your chance of success. We advise engaging our services in the first term of Year 5 onwards for an initial consultation lesson. We can then advise on a plan of action for the next few months and let you know if any further sessions are required nearer to the time of the exam in the Summer break (don’t leave it until September to prepare as last minute preparation can be stressful for the students).
I can see there are 4 x Standard tests but only 1 x Enhanced Tests (which cover the Ashmole content). Did I by any chance miss another download link for the Enhanced tests? Is there any way of having 4 of the Enhanced tests in the same way that there are 4 of the Standard tests?
No, we currently only offer 1 enhanced test in the style of the test used by Ashmole Academy. However we cannot predict the content of the test as it changes each year so we advise using all 5 tests (standard and enhanced) with your music teacher to have the best chance of success at the scholarship.
Please can you advise which tests I should purchase for the above. Ashmole tests 7 categories in the MAT but I see that your papers cater for 4? Apologies if I may have missed the correct papers on your site.
We have one product on sale that covers all schools. The link to the one product we offer is here. Use all five tests to prepare for Ashmole including the one enhanced test and four standard tests.
We are preparing for Dame Alice Owen’s MAT and wondered if the MAT practice papers that you have for sale would be suitable? I have seen your option “Music Aptitude Tests for State School Admissions, but wanted to check that the rhythm questions are of the type where candidates listen to two patterns of notes and have to decide whether the second pattern is the same as, or different from, the first, and where any difference occurs? Each rhythm will be four beats (or pulses) in length?
Our test is very similar but the beat length may vary. You can listen to a version of our test here and ask your music teacher for their opinion before purchasing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJG8CbNjfAc
Our training materials are in the style of the tests used by UK secondary schools but we do not guarantee we offer the exact same test that you will hear as all schools vary the tests each year.
I’m trying to find out the cost of downloading a sample test. I’m a teacher- the pupil is talented and we don’t need several tests just one maybe 2 suitable for Ashmole school ( some questions using graphic scores).
We offer one bundle of training materials including 4 standard tests and 1 enhanced test with graphic scores but all tests are good practice for any UK school given that the test changes each year. We do not separate the bundle for individual purchase. As you are a teacher, we are sure the tests will be of use with your other students that are preparing for the test too.
My son has a music test next week Tuesday, so very little time to do any prep.
I have booked a 1-1 session with Mirna this Saturday 13.30-14.30 to increase his chances. My question is would you recommend downloading your sample tests in addition?
Would you suggest doing this before or after the 1-1 session?
Given that you still have 4 days until your lesson with Mirna I would say that this is an excellent time to get a head start on familiarising yourself with the style of tests. This will enable you to get the most out of your online session with our Music Scholarship expert tutor. You can download the Music Aptitude Test training materials here: https://www.se22piano.co.uk/buy-the-music-aptitude-tests/
I’ve been locked out of my account on the Music Aptitude Test web site. Please help as there is very little time before my child’s test.
At the time of purchasing the Music Aptitude Test training materials, you receive a link to download it on the screen after payment has been processed and also a prompt to save the files to your computer. You are also emailed the link to download the files so there should be no need to log in to the account to download the files if you have followed one of these steps. Do check your junk folder for the email if you have locked yourself out of your online account by entering an incorrect password. The web site will prevent you from logging back in for an hour. Try logging in again and resetting your password after waiting an hour if you cannot locate the files in your inbox. If you cannot access these we will resend them to you. Do note that we keep to office hours so emails on weekends or late at night will not be answered till the next working day. To avoid last minute panic please do consider preparing earlier!
Do you have any tips on how to practice Shape of Music please? I did send an email on Sunday 4th June 23 but have had no reply.
We do not answer emails on Sunday nor do we respond instantly to your request for information or guarantee a response if the request has not come via Eagledial which is our dedicated site for answering questions. We state on our auto-reply that it takes 1-3 working days for us to respond as we work full-time as Head Teacher and Deputy Head Teacher at the SE22 Piano School in East Dulwich. Music Aptitude Test training is something we fit around our regular weekly teaching commitments. If you have specific question you need answered, please book a call with us on Eagledial which is our paid advice line where you can speak to us directly. Early preparation is always advised to allow both tutors and scholarship candidates the time to work through the requirements in a relaxed teaching environment that is the most conducive to success on Exam Day. You would not prepare for 11+ or private school test entry a week before the exam so do ensure you give the same consideration to the Music Scholarship entrance and allow a few months lead time to ensure you have covered all bases.
You can book 1-to-1 Music Scholarship training with us on Zoom. Scroll below to see available dates.
Hello. My daughter will be attempting to obtain a music scholarship later this year at Kingsdale. She is currently a grade 2 violinist, and confident in terms of the performance element, but I was wondering what you would recommend in order to best prepare her for the theory / aptitude elements of that test. Please can you advise?
I would advise downloading the training tests to use with your teacher.
We can also help prepare you fully for the Kingsdale scholarship in the 1-to-1 lessons. You can read more about that here: https://musicaptitudetest.wordpress.com/2023/01/28/kingsdale-foundation-school-music-aptitude-test/
Can we have a call to know that is my son is sustainable for 11+ music aptitude exam?
Yes we offer a paid advice service here or we have a free comprehensive FAQ section to help you determine whether you are suitable for a scholarship. You can also book a 1-to-1 lesson here and we can answer all of your questions.
Hello!
I hope you are enjoying the summer holidays?!
I was looking at putting my son in for the musical aptitude test for Cardinal Vaughan, and West London Free school. Would your MAT download questions be appropriate for these 2 schools?
Many thanks!
Morning!
Yes the download covers all schools as the tests are to help familiarise young musicians with the style of test they will hear on the day. The download is best used with your teachers or book a 1-to-1 lesson with our tutors on Zoom who will be able to prepare you fully for WLFS and Cardinal Vaughan.
Here’s some info about your chosen schools:
West London Free School:
https://musicaptitudetest.wordpress.com/2023/08/02/west-london-free-school-musical-aptitude-test
Cardinal Vaughan:
1-to-1 Lessons:
Music Aptitude Test download link:
Helping you prepare for the 2025 Music Aptitude Tests 
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