Students develop foundational music theory skills through written concepts, including notation, rhythm, scales, keys, intervals, chords and harmonic analysis.

• MUS 120 (Intro to Music Theory)
  An online, self-paced course designed for students seeking a fundamental understanding of written and aural theory. No prerequisites or co-requisites required.
• MUS 103 (Theory and Musicianship I)
  A face-to-face course designed for MUT majors, music minors and students interested in foundational written theory and musicianship skills. No prerequisites or co-requisites required; students are encouraged to take MUS 104 simultaneously.
• MUS 153 and 203 (Theory and Musicianship II and III)
  Follow MUS 103 sequentially and introduce more advanced concepts in written theory and musicianship. Each course has its own prerequisite and co-requisite.

Students develop listening and musicianship skills by identifying musical elements such as intervals, chords, rhythms, melodies and tonal relationships.

• MUS 104 (Theory and Musicianship Lab I)
  MUS 104 is the ear-training lab that accompanies MUS 103. Students develop aural comprehension of the principles introduced in written theory, similar to the conversation labs required in some foreign language courses. MUS 103 or credit by exam is required as a prerequisite or co-requisite for MUS 104.
• MUS 154 and 204 (Theory and Musicianship Lab II and III)
  MUS 154 and 204 are advanced ear-training labs that accompany MUS 153 and 203, respectively. Each course has its own prerequisites and co-requisites.

This one-hour, face-to-face test assesses aural perception skills in the following areas:

• Sight-singing in simple and compound meters, in major and minor keys
• Melodic dictation in major and minor keys
• Rhythmic dictation in simple and compound meters
• Scale degree identification in major keys only
• Scale form identification
• Chord quality identification

Eligible students who are interested in taking the test should contact the music theory coordinator for testing information.

Email Tom Koch, music theory coordinator, when you are ready to take the 90-minute test. You will work with him to schedule a time to complete the test in a secure, proctored setting.

On the day of your test, arrive five minutes early with your laptop, smartphone and pencil. If you arrive late or miss your scheduled time, you may forfeit your opportunity to take the test.

1. When instructed, click the Test link and log in using your Unity ID.
2. At the top of the screen, you will see “Enrollment options.” Click Enroll me at the bottom of the screen.
3. On the next screen, click the Music Theory and Musicianship Proficiency Test link.
4. At the bottom of the next screen, click Attempt quiz now. You will be asked to enter the quiz password: theory123. Only access the test when you are ready to begin.

Yes, the MTMPT operates under the NC State Honor Code. You must comply with university policies on academic integrity outlined in the Code of Student Conduct. Violations of academic integrity will be handled in accordance with the Student Discipline Procedures.

During the test, you may only use blank staff paper for taking notes. Outside materials, electronic devices, musical instruments, study aids and any assistance or collaboration are not permitted. Any attempt to print, distribute, sell or otherwise circulate the MTMPT is prohibited and considered a violation of academic integrity.

Yes. To qualify for a testing accommodation, you must:

• Be registered with the Disability Resource Office (DRO) at NC State University.
• Request an accommodation for the MTMPT.
• Notify Tom Koch of your registration with DRO and your approved accommodations.

1. The test contains 75 multiple-choice and true/false questions.
2. The test is timed at 90 minutes; open attempts are submitted automatically after 90 minutes and unanswered questions are counted as wrong.
3. The test must be taken in one 90-minute sitting and can only be taken once. Anyone who does not pass cannot take the test again. Only a single login is permitted. 
4. You are not required to answer questions sequentially and may return to unanswered questions or to change answers. Only when you hit “Submit all and finish” will you not be allowed to return to the test.
5. During the test, DO NOT click on the “back” or “refresh” button on your browser.  You are permitted only to use blank staff paper to take notes during the test. Otherwise, no electronic devices, musical instruments, study aids or assistance of any kind are permitted during the test.
   • If you are found to be using any of the above items, you are in violation of the Honor Code and disciplinary action will be taken.

There will be at least one question on each of the following topics:

• Historical periods of Western music
• Tempo, dynamic and other expression marks
• Musical textures
• Octave designations
• Voice types and ranges
• Signs of repeat
• Enharmonic equivalents
• C clefs
• Half and whole steps
• Simple and compound meters
• Time signatures
• Rhythmic values
• Beams and barlines
• Equivalent rhythmic notation
• Major scales
• Minor scales
• Scale degrees
• Diatonic names
• Identifying the keys of melodies
• Key signatures
• Relative and parallel keys
• Transposition
• “White key” modes
• Interval qualities
• Interval inversions
• Simple and compound intervals
• Consonant and dissonant intervals
• Triad qualities
• Triad positions
• Figured bass symbols of triads
• Lead sheet notation
• Dominant 7^th chords

The following topics will NOT be on the test:

• Roman numeral notation
• Harmonic analysis
• Part-writing
• Nondominant 7^th chords
• Nonharmonic (embellishing) tones
• Phrase structure
• Cadences
• Modal transposition
• Nondiatonic scales
• Asymmetric meters

These free, online resources provide tutorials and practice exercises to help you prepare for the MTMPT.

First, immediately try to log back in to the test and continue. If you are unable to do so, contact the proctor and explain what happened.

Passing Score

You must receive 70% or above (53 or more correct answers) to pass.

Results

After you submit the test, the software will immediately indicate whether you passed. All scores are final. To minimize the sharing of test data, you will not be able to review your results, the questions you answered incorrectly or the correct answers.

• If you do not pass
  If your score is below 70%, you will be prompted to enroll in MUS 103. 
• If you pass
  If your score is 70% or above, email Tom Koch that you have passed the test and are requesting credit for MUS 103. If interested, let him know you would like to attempt the Music Theory and Musicianship Lab (MUS 104) Proficiency Test.
  • Also, note that you qualify for MUS 153, although this course is not a requirement for the music minor program.