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Music Placement Exam

Only students pursuing a music major or minor take music placement exams.


Types of Exams

Required Placement: Music Theory

Music majors, minors, and Musical Theatre majors are required to take the Music Theory diagnostic exam upon acceptance to the Conservatory. The Music Theory diagnostic can be taken without a proctor at any point before June 12, 2026 and takes approximately 35-70 minutes to complete. Visit the Music theory section below for more information and instructions to complete the exam.

Learn More about the Theory Exam


Optional Placements: Aural Skills and Keyboard

The Keyboard and Aural Skills exams are optional and can be taken when the student comes to campus at the start of their semester, although it is highly recommended to complete upon acceptance to the Conservatory. Students are encouraged to take these diagnostic exams if they wish to test higher than the default level course:

  • Default Aural Course: MUSC 153: Musicianship I
  • Default Keyboard Course: MUSC 100: Introduction to Piano

General Placement FAQs

Do I have to take the Placement exams?

Students are required to take the Music Theory diagnostic exam, but are not required to take the other diagnostic exams unless they desire to test into a level higher than the default level in each area:

  • Music Theory: MUSC 098: Introduction to Music Theory
  • Aural Skills: MUSC 098: Introduction to Music Theory
  • Keyboard: MUSC 100 Introduction to Piano

When do I need to take the Placement Exams?

The Music Theory diagnostic can be taken anywhere and at any point (no proctor necessary) and is due June 12, 2026.

The optional Aural Skills and Keyboard placements are recommended to be taken upon acceptance to the Conservatory. If taking the aural exam in-person at the Conservatory, we encourage students to take their placement before May 1.

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 Exam

Length of Exam

  • Either 35 or 70 minutes; varies according to exam level.

What does the exam cover?

The exam 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

Register

Where do I take the Theory Placement Exam?

Music Theory Placement Location: The Music Theory exam is completed fully online and does not need a proctor nor an appointment.

Take the Music Theory Exam

Aural Skills Placement Exam

Length of Exam

  • Approximately 30 minutes

What does the exam cover?

The exam 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

Where do I take the Aural Skills Placement?

Aural Skills Placement Locations:

  • At the Biola Conservatory before May 1 (In-Person)
    Email music@biola.edu to schedule your exam. The exam takes Thirty Minutes and must be completed during the office hours of Monday– Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

  • At Home (Proctored): Aural Skills
    Students choose their own proctor and email music@biola.edu with the following:

    • Your name, major and student ID
    • List of music exam(s)
    • Proctor's name and email address

    *An example of an approved proctor is a parent, a private lesson instructor, or a music teacher.

    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 Exam

How do I complete the exam?

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 exam on the PDF corresponding with the level you would like to test out of.

View Keyboard Placement Requirements (PDF)

Once completed, upload the video to Google Drive and share the file with Dr. Lishan Hung at lishan.hung@biola.edu. 

Where do I take the Keyboard Placement?

Keyboard Placement Location: 

The keyboard placement is completed on your own time and requires an upload of your video-recorded placement exam. Upload the video to Google Drive and share the file with Dr. Lishan Hung at lishan.hung@biola.edu. You will receive an email from Dr. Lishan Hung with your placement once it is evaluated (may take up to 4 weeks during the summer months).