Understand the Music Aptitude Tests for London Secondary Schools

A parent’s information guide | 11+ and Year 7 entry | 2026–2027 admissions

This article is designed to help parents understand music aptitude tests (MATs), identify London secondary schools that offer music aptitude entry routes, prepare their children confidently, and understand what happens after the test.

The most important thing to know is that a music aptitude test is not the same as a traditional music exam. Children generally do not need to read music, play an instrument to a high standard, or have passed graded music examinations to demonstrate musical potential.

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1. What is a music aptitude test?

A Music Aptitude Test (MAT) is designed to identify a child’s natural musical potential, including how well they hear, recognise and remember musical patterns.

Schools may use the results to award a limited number of Year 7 places under a music aptitude or specialist music admissions criterion.

Pitch recognition

Can your child recognise whether a note or sequence of notes is higher, lower, or the same?

Rhythm and pulse

Can your child recognise, remember, copy or distinguish rhythmic patterns?

Musical memory and listening

Can your child identify changes in a melody, compare sound sequences or notice differences between musical extracts?

These are common examples, not a universal test format. Each school sets its own assessment and admissions rules. For example, Haberdashers’ Hatcham College describes an aural test involving pitch, rhythm, metre and tempo.

2. Does my child need to play an instrument?

Usually, no — not for the aptitude test itself.

Question	What parents should know
Must my child play the piano or another instrument?	Not necessarily. Some tests are entirely listening-based.
Must they read musical notation?	Usually not for a basic aptitude test.
Do they need music theory?	Often not. Check the school’s instructions.
Are music lessons essential?	No. Natural aptitude can be assessed without formal lessons.
Is singing ability assessed?	Not always. Some schools use vocal responses to test pitch and rhythm, rather than judging singing quality.
Could my child need an audition?	Yes. Some schools invite selected children to a second stage, such as a performance or practical assessment.
Does passing guarantee admission?	No. The test is one part of the school’s published admissions arrangements.

For example, West London Free School says its test assesses pitch and rhythm/pulse, takes around 5–10 minutes, and requires neither an instrument nor preparation for a performance.

3. What types of questions might children face?

Here are illustrative practice examples. They are not actual school test questions.

Example 1

Pitch recognition

Two notes are played. Does the second note sound higher, lower or the same as the first?

Example 2

Rhythm matching

A short rhythm is clapped. Which of three later rhythms matches it exactly?

Example 3

Musical memory

A short melody is played twice. Are the two versions identical, or has one note changed?

Example 4

Tempo recognition

Does the music speed up, slow down or stay at the same speed?

Children may hear the sounds through speakers or headphones and answer by choosing options, pointing, singing back a note or completing another listening task. The format depends on the school.

4. How should parents prepare their child?

The aim is to develop attentive listening and confidence, rather than turn music into another stressful exam.

Listen to a variety of music. Try classical, jazz, folk, film music and different instrumental sounds.
Play simple rhythm games. Clap a short pattern and ask your child to repeat it.
Practise comparing sounds. Ask whether two notes sound higher, lower or the same.
Develop musical memory. Hum a short tune, pause, then ask your child to sing or hum it back.
Practise listening carefully to instructions. Many children benefit from calm, short activities with no pressure to get every answer right.
Check the school’s own guidance. Find out whether the assessment is listening-only, computer-based, written, or followed by an audition.

A little regular practice is more useful than long, exhausting sessions. Ten minutes of playful listening several times a week is a reasonable starting point, although no amount of practice can guarantee a particular score.

5. London secondary schools to investigate

The following schools have published music aptitude or specialist music admissions routes. This is a starting list, not an exhaustive list of all London schools.

West London Free School (Hammersmith, West London)

Music aptitude test for Year 7.
Focuses on pitch perception and rhythm/pulse.
No instrument or prepared performance required for the initial test.
The school states that 11 musical scholarship places are offered.

William Ellis School (Highgate Road, Camden)

Offers music aptitude places for Year 7.
Has a separate music-place application.
Up to 10% of places are allocated under its musical aptitude criterion.

Haberdashers’ Hatcham College (New Cross, South-East London)

Music specialism places for Year 7.
Multiple-choice aural test covering musical listening skills.
Successful candidates may be invited to an audition.
No previous music theory knowledge is required for the aural test.

Camden School for Girls (Camden, North London)

Offers a music aptitude assessment alongside its other admissions arrangements.
The published process includes a further performance session for selected candidates.
Children should check the school’s own guidance for the exact assessment requirements.

Saint Cecilia’s Church of England School (Wandsworth, South-West London)

Offers specialist music places at Year 7.
The second assessment stage may involve clapping rhythms, singing back notes, identifying major/minor chords and sight-reading.
Candidates invited to this stage need to bring their instrument.

Tiffin School (Kingston Upon Thames)

- Introduced a music aptitude assessment for Year 7 entry.
- Up to 5% of places are designated for boys demonstrating music aptitude, under the school’s published arrangements.
- The music assessment operates alongside the school’s other entrance tests.

Important: These are not all the same type of school or admissions route. Some use a listening test alone; others combine aptitude testing with an audition or performance. Places may also be subject to residence, eligibility or other oversubscription criteria.

6. What parents need to know about applications

For entry to Year 7 in September 2027, the main London secondary school application deadline is 31 October 2026. Some music aptitude applications close much earlier.

Remember these four steps:

Register separately for the music test if the school requires a supplementary form.
Complete your local authority’s secondary school application as well. A music test registration is not a substitute for this application.
Check the results before submitting your preferences, where the school publishes results in advance.
List the school on your application if you want to be considered for a place there. Passing the aptitude test alone does not secure admission.

If you are applying for September 2027 entry and have not registered for a particular school’s music test, contact its admissions team immediately to ask whether any late registration is possible. Do not assume that it will be accepted.

7. Official resources for parents

A final message for parents

A child does not have to be an accomplished musician to show musical aptitude. Curiosity, attentive listening, memory and a willingness to engage with music can all be valuable starting points.

Help your child practise in a relaxed way, check each school’s admissions rules carefully, and choose schools that suit their interests and wider educational needs — not just the opportunity to take a music test.

about the author

Anna Mackenzie