Musical Aptitude Tests for secondary school entry

Using my wife's login: furthermore, echoing what has been said above, only 14 places were taken up last year out of a possible 24, at Fortismere. The head said that this was 'because the others weren't adequate standard', but I don't believe that for this hugely popular school that can be the case. Rather I think the new head wants to take a new direction away from awarding selective places. Good luck for the tests everyone.

Hi all. am not actually a mum. but a dad. our daughter is up for the MAt on saturday at Fortismere. it is quite hard to discern what will happen. i called the school to ask a few questions, but they were not very forthcoming.
i got through to the music department, but alas their voicemail was so packed and stacked, I could not leave a message. from what i can gather it is a multiple choice style paper. well in part one anyhows.

we have been tutoring our daughter, as she is quite musical. what we can gather is that the test if no reflection of how good a trained musician they already are, but more an indication of how naturally musical they be; how good their ear is.

It seems odd that for a school whose catchment is so tight, we have to go through with all this stress, when she lives within a 20 minute walk to the school. i half feel that, if there are 24 places available, they should go out to local kids from local primary schools. especially as there no other non-faith, co-educational schools in the area. and certainly no other provisions for girls, other than entrance exams.

Students that do quite well on Ear Tests/Aural tend to be able to get through the MAT test without too much difficulty.

The important thing to note is that a lot of the MATs for state schools use a CD that contains electronically generated sounds, not always actual instruments, so it may be a bit confusing to some students that have a very traditional grounding in classical music and are expecting to hear a piano or similar instrument in the test. I think this is done to give a level playing field i.e. pianists have no specific advantage over students that only play wind/brass/string instruments.

Additionally, some state schools don't let you submit any graded exam results with the application, so it is purely based on the MAT whether you get through to the second round or not.

There are some good online Aural training web sites. I also use Auralia all the time - the free trial version that has absolutely loads of questions.

www.sibelius.com/products/auralia/index.html

hi dukat
apparently the first test is not very difficult but lots of children apply because its quite inclusive i.e. there's no need to audition with an instrument for the second test. Expect over 200 children taking the test, some of whom have never played an instrument and never taken a grade exam.
As long as your ds is not too nervous he should be ok, but with that many children applying it can be a bit hit or miss as to whether the best musicians get through or not. I know a grade 5 violinist who didn't make the second test last year.
Good luck to your ds.

Hi Dukat, I can't tell you that much I'm afraid, I think the test is in two parts so some don't make it to the second round.
I don't think its that stressful. I would imagine quite a few take the test, as the music centre in Haringey is very popular and lots of Haringey primary children have had whole class music tuition, so that has increased the interest in music at primary level.
Has your piano teacher had any experience of anyone taking the test ?
I know in the first year they didn't end up with 24, as some children were offered scholarships at private schools, so gave up their Fortismere places.
Not sure about this years intake, I know one parent whos son got in on music but I haven't asked her how difficult it was.
Once they are in school they all do the same lessons, so you wouldn't know who got in on music and the school do not say how many take up the places. There may be something on the Haringey website or in the secondary school transition booklet which tells you the numbers that get in under each admission criteria.
The music department at Fortismere is excellent and a musical child would have a great time, so If I were you I would take the test.
Can you get in if you don't get a music place?
Good luck for next week.

dukat if you go on the Fortismere website in the top right hand corner there is a site map, if you go into the admissions section there is an additional information document called admissions 2012, when you open the document it tells you what the music aptitude test involves.
Hope this helps you deciding if it is something you want to do. I do know that the applicants do not play any instruments at the test.
One other thing you may want to consider is that Fortismere are currently deciding if they may in the future, change the admission criteria so that siblings of children who enter via the music criteria, will not automatically get a place at the school. Obviously not an issue if you only have one child or live close enough to get in on distance, but could be a problem if you are hoping to get other DCs in in the future based on being a sibling.
I think they will be deciding this soon as it was talked about last term.

wow Lorraine, what's the chances of that? I had no idea it was written by a mumsnetter but had seen it before and its a very good blog!

dukat - I know someone whose dc got into fortismere on a music place. The second test is more of an aural singing and clapping exam, they're not allowed to audition.
Are you trying for other schools that offer music places in north london? I'm thinking Camden school for girls etc

Ooh that's my blog!

Here's another recent article all about what to expect at the audition if you pass the MAT including a list of popular questions that students are asked:

se22pianoschool.wordpress.com/2011/09/05/back-to-school-blog-music-scholarship-auditions-hints-and-tips-on-helping-you-achieve-success-at-your-audition/

I'm currently preparing quite a few students for state and private scholarships so feel free to ask for advice.

Good luck!

If its a state school then have a look at the group section on MAT on this link se22pianoschool.wordpress.com/2011/05/16/music-scholarships-what-is-the-musical-aptitude-test/

Each school is different and some produce their own recordings for the test but the format is often the same ie written test in 3 or more sections around pitch, rythmn etc.

If its a private school it may be more like doing an aural test as part of the grade exams ie includes singing, clapping etc.

What school are you applying for? Has your dc ever taken grade exams?