Music K–12
For Testing until 9/30/2023
Test Format and Sample Questions
The Music K to 12 subject area test consists of approximately 80 multiple-choice questions. You will have two and one-half hours to complete the test.
Each of the questions will contain four response options. You will choose the best response out of the available options, and indicate A, B, C, or D.
Some of the test items are based on recorded passages. These listening items, which comprise approximately one-fifth of the exam, are related to Competencies 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6. For some of these questions, you will have to identify basic elements of music, including rhythm, melody, harmonic structure, form, tone color, style, and expressive characteristics. Other questions may require you to compare a recorded performance and its notation in order to identify a problem with balance, phrasing, tempo, or intonation.
The questions and response options for these items are presented in the test, and an audio recording of the listening passages will be played. The recording will be played all the way through only once, without stopping. However, some of the passages will be repeated and there will be time after each question to select your answer. The listening items are grouped at the beginning of the test.
The table below presents types of questions on the exam and directs you to examples of these formats among the sample items that follow.
Table of Question Formats
| Type of Question | Sample Question |
|---|---|
|
Identification Listen to a recorded musical passage and identify a musical feature by selecting the best response option. |
Question 1 |
|
Sequence—listening Listen to a recorded musical passage and then select the response option that contains the correct sequence. |
Question 2 |
|
Sentence Completion Select the response option that best completes the sentence. |
Question 6 |
|
Direct question Choose the response option that best answers the question. |
Question 7 |
|
Command Select the best response option. |
Question 8 |
|
Analysis Determine a performance problem by choosing the best option. |
Question 16 |
|
Sequence Review a list of elements represented, then select the response option that contains the correct sequence. |
Question 30 |
Sample Questions
The following questions represent both the form and content of questions on the examination. These questions will acquaint you with the general format of the examination; however, these sample questions do not cover all of the competencies and skills that are tested and will only approximate the degree of examination difficulty.