Music K–12

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 musical excerpts. These listening items, which comprise approximately 10 items on the exam, are related to skills in Competencies 1, 2, and 3. 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. You will begin each musical excerpt by clicking the Play button. You will have two (2) opportunities to listen to each excerpt. If/when you want to hear the second play, you will click the Play button again. Once the second play has begun, you will not be able to replay the audio excerpt again, so be sure to listen carefully.

You may return to and review questions in this section; however, the number of audio playbacks is limited, so you may not be able to replay the audio excerpts upon return to the questions (e.g., if you have already listened to an excerpt twice, you will not be able to replay it again).

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
Direct question Choose the response option that best answers the question.	Question 1
Analysis Determine a performance problem by choosing the best option.	Question 18
Identification Listen to a recorded musical passage and identify a musical feature by selecting the best response option.	Question 19

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.

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Competency 1—Knowledge of music education fundamentals

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

The following example illustrates which of the following temporal features?

The example shows rhythmic notation with no key signature in six-eight time. The example is four measures in length with each measure labeled one through four. The notes are as follows: three beamed eighth notes, three beamed eighth notes, three quarter notes, three beamed eighth notes, three beamed eighth notes, three quarter notes.

Choose an answer

1. hemiola
2. polyrhythm
3. mixed meter
4. composite meter

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 1—Knowledge of music education fundamentals

DIRECTIONS: Use the following original cantus firmus to answer the question that follows.

The original cantus firmus is two measures long in the key of C with no written time signature. The melody is as follows: A4, G4, A4, C5, D5, C5, B4, A4.

The resulting melody exemplifies which of the following compositional techniques?

The resulting melody is two measures long in the key of C with no written time signature. The melody is as follows: A4, B4, C5, D5, C5, A4, G4, A4.

Choose an answer

1. sequence
2. diminution
3. retrograde
4. augmentation

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 1—Knowledge of music education fundamentals

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

An ensemble is performing a piece in E-flat major and arrives on a V 4
2 five chord with a four over two. Which of the following pitches occurs in the bass of the chord?

Choose an answer

1. D
2. F
3. B ♭flat
4. A ♭flat

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 1—Knowledge of music education fundamentals

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following terms describes a passage in which all the voices or instruments project the same melody at the same pitch level but enter at different times?

Choose an answer

1. fugue
2. canon
3. ricercar
4. passacaglia

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 1—Knowledge of music education fundamentals

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following most appropriately defines the term arco?

Choose an answer

1. plucking the strings
2. strumming the strings
3. playing with the hair of the bow
4. playing with the stick of the bow

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 1—Knowledge of music education fundamentals

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

To properly conduct staccato, a conductor should employ which of the following techniques?

Choose an answer

1. using a fluid motion
2. increasing the beat size
3. intensifying gestures with the left hand
4. stopping all motion immediately after the reflex

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 1—Knowledge of music education fundamentals

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Figured bass was first utilized during which of the following musical eras?

Choose an answer

1. Medieval
2. Baroque
3. Classical
4. Impressionist

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 1—Knowledge of music education fundamentals

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following instruments would form part of an Indonesian gamelan?

Choose an answer

1. gong
2. guzheng
3. bouzouki
4. didgeridoo

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 1—Knowledge of music education fundamentals

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

The Kodály method uses Latin pronunciation of the solfège syllables to improve which ability or technique?

Choose an answer

1. phrasing
2. sight-singing
3. vowel unification
4. musical memory

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 2—Knowledge of music standards-based curricula and pedagogy

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A high school orchestra director must divide the violin section into two sections. According to current practices, which of the following strategies would most likely produce the most balanced ensemble?

Choose an answer

1. placing the students with the best intonation in the first section
2. placing the more technically advanced students in the first section
3. placing students with a range of abilities in the first and second sections
4. placing older students in the first section and younger students in the second section

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 2—Knowledge of music standards-based curricula and pedagogy

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A 3^rdthird-year trombone student can be expected to have a range from F2 to at least which of the following notes?

Choose an answer

1. C4
2. D4
3. F4
4. E4

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 2—Knowledge of music standards-based curricula and pedagogy

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

In selecting repertoire for a beginning band concert to occur in the fall, the director should ensure that the upper range of the clarinet part does not go above which of the following notes?

Choose an answer

1. fifth line
2. middle C
3. second line G
4. high C two ledger lines above the staff

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 2—Knowledge of music standards-based curricula and pedagogy

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following strategies would be most appropriate for a choir teacher to use to help beginning students fully understand the concept of diction?

Choose an answer

1. distributing pronunciation charts to the students
2. singing a phrase from a song as the students listen
3. having the students listen to and imitate spoken sounds
4. asking the students to write transcriptions of pronunciations

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 2—Knowledge of music standards-based curricula and pedagogy

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

In the Dalcroze method, which of the following types of instruments would the teacher typically play to accompany student movement in the early stages of music learning?

Choose an answer

1. guitar
2. ukulele
3. tuned drums
4. hand percussion

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 2—Knowledge of music standards-based curricula and pedagogy

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A choir director is introducing coordinative movement to develop the choir's rhythmic skills. The most appropriate motions to use for these exercises would be hand claps, lap pats, and which of the following?

Choose an answer

1. head nod
2. hip sways
3. hand wave
4. step in place

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 2—Knowledge of music standards-based curricula and pedagogy

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A high school orchestra will soon begin rehearsing a suite based on Antonín Dvor̆ák's Symphony no. 9 in E Minor (From the New World). This would be an appropriate time for the music teacher to discuss which of the following Native American musical influences?

Choose an answer

1. pentatonic scales
2. composite meters
3. asymmetric rhythms
4. extended harmonies

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 2—Knowledge of music standards-based curricula and pedagogy

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A high school music teacher makes intelligent accompaniment software files available for students as a practice tool. Using this technology, the students will be able to alter playback tempo, transpose to any key, and take which of the following actions?

Choose an answer

1. adding accompaniment
2. modifying accompaniment
3. correcting accompaniment
4. supplementing accompaniment

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 3—Knowledge of music performance assessment and evaluation

DIRECTIONS: Read the question, play the excerpt, and select the best response.

 start italics  (This question would be accompanied by a listening passage on the actual test.)  end italics 

Which of the following actions would most effectively improve the performance in the recorded excerpt? (The excerpt can be played twice.)

Choose an answer

1. altering the tempo through the use of rubato
2. using articulation to highlight the sequences
3. addressing intonation issues in the vocal part
4. breathing after each long note to vary phrasing

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 3—Knowledge of music performance assessment and evaluation

DIRECTIONS: Read the question, play the excerpt, and select the best response.

 start italics  (This question would be accompanied by a listening passage on the actual test.)  end italics 

A music teacher could most appropriately use the recorded excerpt to demonstrate which of the following musical effects? (The excerpt can be played twice.)

Choose an answer

1. horn fifths
2. sotto voce
3. quarter tones
4. rhythmic ostinato

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 3—Knowledge of music performance assessment and evaluation

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A 1^stfirst-year jazz band is rehearsing a standard swing arrangement in common time. The pianist is using incorrect comping style. Which of the following activities would most likely improve the pianist's comping?

Choose an answer

1. rehearsing the bass line exclusively
2. performing extended harmonies in half notes
3. playing seventh chords one measure in length
4. filling out the harmonies with rhythmic punctuations

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 3—Knowledge of music performance assessment and evaluation

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Two clarinets are playing out of tune on a concert B ♭flat. Which of the following actions should the conductor instruct the students to take to lead to improved intonation?

Choose an answer

1. matching pitches until the beats slow down and disappear
2. altering the pitch by continuously changing the embouchure
3. calibrating the tuner to 10 cents sharp to encourage proper air support
4. adjusting the instruments between the barrel and upper joint while playing

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 3—Knowledge of music performance assessment and evaluation

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following statements most appropriately describes the role of individual performance assessments?

Choose an answer

1. They prompt negative emotional responses in students.
2. They provide a risk-free learning environment for students.
3. They prevent students who are at lower levels from improving.
4. They promote instructional decisions based on the ability of students.

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 3—Knowledge of music performance assessment and evaluation

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following elements would be most appropriate for a music teacher to include on students' self-assessment forms?

Choose an answer

1. peer-created evaluation rating system
2. norm-referenced performance criteria
3. description of specific performance tasks
4. passing scores on scale performance tests

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 4—Knowledge of music program management, ethics, and legal matters

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A high school ensemble director is most likely to budget funds for the annual purchase of which of the following items to support classroom instruction?

Choose an answer

1. amplifiers
2. software licenses
3. microphone cables
4. electronic keyboards

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: B.

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Competency 4—Knowledge of music program management, ethics, and legal matters

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

An ensemble director wants to plan a fund-raising activity. Which of the following actions would be most appropriate for the director to take first?

Choose an answer

1. instituting an annual campaign for donor support
2. designating funds for particular items or purposes
3. creating a donations page on the departmental website
4. seeking permission from the local school administrators

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: D.

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Competency 4—Knowledge of music program management, ethics, and legal matters

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A high school music teacher is collaborating with the yearbook club teacher to create a digital multimedia yearbook. The yearbook club teacher asks the music teacher about copyright implications of using music as background for video clips in the digital yearbook, which will be available for purchase. Which of the following responses by the music teacher would be most appropriate?

Choose an answer

1. "If we use a recent recording of a composition written before 1923, we won't need permission from the audio license holder."
2. "I'll record the students performing their favorite piece. We don't need a license to use a recording of a student performance."
3. "If we use music that is not in the public domain, we'll have to request permission from the publisher and recording company, and obtain a synchronization license."
4. "Let's use the music we played at this year's field show. It's the theme song from a recent hit movie, but if I record myself playing the song on piano, we won't need an audio license."

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 4—Knowledge of music program management, ethics, and legal matters

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A middle school ensemble teacher is hosting a recruiting event at an elementary school. Which of the following approaches would likely be most effective for the music teacher to use at the event?

Choose an answer

1. introducing members of the booster club
2. providing an overview of grading policies
3. having the students perform selected pieces
4. inviting a local instrument vendor to display instruments

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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Competency 4—Knowledge of music program management, ethics, and legal matters

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A high school music teacher has recently started working in a school where the athletic uniforms are purchased from school funds. The teacher plans to meet with the principal to request that a portion of the school budget be allocated for music uniforms. Which of the following statements would be most appropriate for the teacher to make during the meeting?

Choose an answer

1. "Since the school budget covers football uniforms, could the school budget cover ensemble uniforms?"
2. "I know the school budget is set for this year, but the music students need new ensemble uniforms now."
3. "Uniforms increase ensemble players' school spirit, so uniforms should be covered by the school budget."
4. "If you are willing to provide additional funds from the school budget for either sheet music or ensemble uniforms, I choose uniforms."

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 4—Knowledge of music program management, ethics, and legal matters

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

Which of the following features would be most important for a teacher to include when creating a website for the music department?

Choose an answer

1. mobile device accessibility
2. stock photographs and images
3. aesthetically appealing home page
4. videos that automatically play sound

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: A.

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Competency 4—Knowledge of music program management, ethics, and legal matters

DIRECTIONS: Read the question and select the best response.

A new middle school band director is taking an inventory of instruments and equipment. Which of the following steps should the director complete last?

Choose an answer

1. noting whether missing instruments were also missing from the previous inventory list
2. comparing information on the new inventory list with information in the previous inventory list
3. providing copies of the accurate inventory list to the principal, vice principal, and music supervisor
4. writing on the inventory list the brand name, model, and serial number of each school-owned instrument

AnswerEnter to expand or collapse answer.Answer expanded

Correct Response: C.

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