Dame Alice Owen’s school allocates up to 10 places (year 7 admission is 200 students) to those students demonstrating an aptitude for music.
Children who wish to sit the Musical Aptitude Test must live within one of the Local Priority Areas. Registration takes place when children are in Year 5 and is open between mid-May and mid-June. The Musical Aptitude Tests do not require a child to have any knowledge of music theory, have received formal music training or accomplished a certain grade level.
Music Aptitude Test 1: This is a multiple choice written test taken with other children and is approximately 30 minutes in duration. the test is based entirely on aural/listening responses. There are 60 questions of four types: Pitch, Melody, Rhythm and Texture.
Pitch: for these questions, candidates listen to two sounds and have to indicate whether the second sound is the same as the first, or if it is higher or lower. Some of the pitches are less than a semitone apart ie. very close together.
Melody: for these questions, candidates listen to two sounds consisting of 5 notes and have to decide whether the second tune is the same as the first or if one of the notes has been altered. If there is a change, candidates will be expected to identify which note has been altered, by giving the number of the note. 10 questions.
Texture: for these questions, candidates listen to a number of notes played together at the same time (a chord). Candidates need to decide whether or not each chord has two, three or four notes. 20 questions.
Rhythm: for these questions, 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. 10 questions.
Music Aptitude Test 2: Children achieving 50 marks or above will be invited to attend Musical Aptitude Test 2 which is an individual test. Each child is allocated a 5 minute slot to perform on their preferred instrument/s (voice included). There is a totally free choice of piece(s) and children can perform on more than one instrument if they prefer within their 5 minute slot. It is not possible for candidates to bring their own accompanist, however an accompanist can be provided if required. There is also provision to play a cd backing track.
“We did it!!! Thank you so much for all your help over the summer. 100% wouldn’t have been able to do it without you.” Parent.
E. ranked position in the Music Aptitude Test is 10
Governors’ Admissions September 2023 Music Aptitude Test Results
Recommended Resources:
Students preparing for the Dame Alice Owen’s School Music Aptitude Test start the process with our 11 Plus Music Test Programme comprising Music Test Workshops, Mock Music Tests and Music Aptitude 1 to 1 sessions.
Interim home practice is recommended using our audio download Standard MAT Practice Tests comprising Introductory, Intermediate and Higher Level Tests and Targeted MAT Practice Tests for further consolidation. The DAO’s Music Aptitude is similar in pace and kind of music test examples as our Higher Level MAT Practice Tests. For further guidance as to which MAT Practice Test level to begin with, please click here: https://www.musicaptitudetests.co.uk/which-test/
“My daughter was so well prepared and was offered places at all the schools she sat, including one of the 10 Dame Alice Owen’s” Parent 2024
Dame Alice Owen’s School, Dugdale Hill Lane, Potters Bar, Herts EN6 2DU
www.damealiceowens.herts.sch.uk
Select from 12 single MAT Practice audio download tests, each with pdf question & answer sheets, or in multipack format.
A set of MAT Practice Tests that follow a structured approach through each of the 3 MAT Practice Test levels, Introductory, Intermediate and Higher Level MAT Practice Tests.