Music Placement Surveys
Only students pursuing a music major or minor take music placement exams.
Music majors, minors and musical theatre majors can complete placements at the Conservatory, or at home with an approved proctor. The test may be taken when the student comes to campus at the start of their semester, though it is highly recommended that their assessments be completed upon acceptance to the Conservatory.
Types of Surveys
General Placement Information
Do I have to take the Placement Surveys?
Students only need to take Placement Surveys if they are interested in testing into a level higher than the default levels. Below are the default levels for each area:
- Music Theory: MUSC 098 Introduction to Music Theory
- Aural: MUSC 153 Musicianship I
- Keyboard: MUSC 100 Introduction to Piano
When do I need to take the Placement Surveys?
Placement Surveys are available throughout the academic year, and it is highly recommended that surveys are completed during the Music application process or soon after acceptance into the Conservatory. If it is not possible to complete the desired Placement Surveys prior to the start of the semester, students may take them upon arrival to campus.
Placement exams are offered on a limited basis from May 15–August 15.
Will my placement affect my acceptance into the Conservatory or my music scholarship?
Placements do not affect acceptance or scholarship in any way. It is merely a diagnostic tool to determine the academic level of each student for course registration.
Can I retake a Placement Survey?
Placement Surveys may only be taken once.
Theory Diagnostic Placement Survey
Length of Survey
- 90 minutes
What does the survey cover?
The survey covers material from our basic-level theory courses. The best way to prepare would be to review:
- Key & Time Signatures
- Scales
- Collegiate level terminology
- Rhythms
- Circle of fifths
- Identification and construction of intervals, triads, and 7th chords
- Roman numerals and figured bass
- 2-part counterpoint
- Basic 4-part writing
Preparation Resources
- Clendinning & Marvin's "The Musician's Guide to Theory and Analysis"
Register
How do I register for the theory placement survey?
Students can complete the theory placement at the Conservatory or at home with an approved proctor. Placement exams are offered on a limited basis from May 15–August 15.
At the Biola Conservatory (In-Person)
Email music@biola.edu to schedule your exam. The exam takes an hour and a half and must be completed during the office hours of Monday– Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
At Home (Proctored)
Students can take this placement exam with a proctor. An example of an approved proctor is a parent, a private lesson instructor, or a music teacher. To set up a proctored exam, email music@biola.edu with the following:
- Your name, major and student ID
- List of music exam(s)
- Proctor's name and email address
The music department will send a request form for both the student and proctor to sign. Once signed, the proctor will receive your test materials and instructions for submission.
Proctored exams should be administered in a quiet place in order to provide the conservatory a proper assessment of your placement.
Aural Skills Placement Survey
Length of Survey
- 26 minutes
What does the survey cover?
The survey covers material from our basic-level musicianship courses. The best way to prepare would be to hone your sight-singing skills with private practice (solfege or numbers), and review dictating/transcribing:
- Melodic Lines
- Harmonic Intervals
- Triads
- Seventh chords
- Sight-singing melodies
Preparation Resources
Register
How do I register for the aural placement survey?
Students can complete the aural placement at the Conservatory or at home with an approved proctor. Placement exams are offered on a limited basis from May 15–August 15.
At the Biola Conservatory (In-Person)
Email music@biola.edu to schedule your exam. The exam takes an hour and a half and must be completed during the office hours of Monday– Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
At Home (Proctored)
Students can take this placement exam with a proctor. An example of an approved proctor is a parent, a private lesson instructor, or a music teacher. To set up a proctored exam, email music@biola.edu with the following:
- Your name, major and student ID
- List of music exam(s)
- Proctor's name and email address
The music department will send a request form for both the student and proctor to sign. Once signed, the proctor will receive your test materials and instructions for submission.
Proctored exams should be administered in a quiet place in order to provide the conservatory a proper assessment of your placement.
Keyboard Placement Survey
How do I complete the survey?
Submit a recording of you taking the exam using the attached PDF. Please be sure that the video shows your hands and your face. You will only need to complete one survey on the PDF corresponding with the level you would like to test out of.
You can upload the video to Google Drive and share the file with Dr. Lishan Hung at lishan.hung@biola.edu.