Music Theory Placement Exam
Prior to taking Music Theory I or Aural Skills I, all students must first take a Music Theory Placement Exam. A brief placement exam is administered at UNG audition dates and again during the first week of classes.
- Students who pass the exam will be placed into MUSC 1001: Music Theory I and MUSC 1011: Aural Skills I.*
- Students who do not take or pass the exam will be placed into MUSC 1000: Music Fundamentals.
*Students who pass the exam but feel they need more confidence with basic principles before taking Music Theory I and Aural Skills I may elect to take the Music Fundamentals course.
Students who take but do not pass the exam prior to the first week of classes may retake the exam during the first week of classes. Students are encouraged to study online resources listed in the “Preparation” section of this page.
What the Exam Covers
Topics in theory and aural skills include:
- Meter and Rhythm Notation
- Scales
- Intervals
- Triads
- Key Signatures
Preparation
We recommended these online resources to help prepare before taking the exam.
- Lessons and exercises at Musictheory.net
- Lessons and exercises at Teoria.com
- Lectures by Seth Monahan on YouTube
- Collegeboard AP's advanced placement music theory practice questions
AP Credit and Transfer Students
As set by the general University System of Georgia, students who receive a score of 3 or higher on the AP Test may be exempt from taking both Music Theory I and Aural Skills I. For details, refer to the AP Credit at UNG webpage.
Transfer students are placed on an individual basis, according to proficiency with music theory and aural skills.
Our Music Theory I course covers many topics in considerable depth. Those include voice leading and analysis of diatonic harmony with embellishing tones and suspensions. So, even students entering with strong theory backgrounds may want to take Theory I.