Ada Lovelace CofE High School – Music Aptitude Test Explained
At Ada Lovelace CofE High School, up to 10% of Year 7 places are allocated to students who demonstrate strong natural musical aptitude. These places are awarded through a dedicated music admissions process, which focuses on assessing a child’s aural skills, listening ability, and responsiveness to sound, rather than formal training, grades, or certificates.
This means your child can successfully secure a music place based on their innate musical potential, even without prior instrumental lessons or structured musical education.
Here’s how the process works:
Stage 1: Listening Test (Out of 60 marks)
All applicants are invited to Round One, which will take place at the beginning of October 2026 under exam conditions.
The first round is a one-hour listening assessment, held in Twyford’s Performance Centre under exam conditions.
Your child will be asked to listen carefully and answer questions that test their ability to:
Pitch (high vs low sounds)
Rhythm (beat and pattern)
Texture (chords)
Melodies (tunes and changes)
This stage lasts up to an hour and is marked out of 60. Students don’t need any preparation materials on the day, but regular practice at home makes a real difference.
Question Types:
• Pitch
Children hear two sounds and indicate whether the second is the same, higher, or lower. Some sounds differ by less than a semitone, making them very close in pitch.
• Melody
Children listen to two short tunes of five notes each. They must decide if the second tune is identical or if one note has changed—and, if so, which note.
• Texture
Children hear chords (groups of notes played together) and identify whether they contain two, three, or four notes.
• Rhythm
Children compare two short rhythmic patterns (each four beats long) to decide if they are the same or different. If different, they must pinpoint where the change occurs.
For Stage 1, Ada Lovelace uses the standard Music Aptitude test. This test format is also used by schools like: Moulsham, Chancellor’s, Dame Alice Owen’s, South West Herts schools, Twyford, Tiffin, Ealing Fields, Herts and Essex, Liverpool College.
Stage 2: Aural Test (Out of 40 marks)
The highest-scoring students from Round 1 will be invited to Round 2, held in the second week of October 2026 in the Music Department
The top scorers from Stage 1 are invited back for a second, shorter assessment – about 20 minutes long – inside the Music College.
This part feels more interactive. Students will be asked to:
Clap back or play backrhythms and pitches
Listen and repeat musical patterns on classroom instruments
Identify different instruments from recorded music
Important Dates
Round One: Beginning of October 2026
Round Two: 2nd Week of October 2026
How the Scoring and Offers Work
All applicants sit Round 1 on one of two given dates.
Mid October 2025: Families will be told their child’s position on the ranked list after Round 2.
Final score = Round 1 (60) + Round 2 (40) = 100 marks.
The top 20 ranked students will be offered a specialist music place on National Offer Day (early March), unless they accept a higher-preference offer.
What if your child doesn’t make the top 20?
They will be placed on a waiting list, ranked by score.
In case of a tie, priority goes to children living nearer the school.
They can still apply for a general admissions place via the PAN London Common Application Form.
How to Apply
Apply to Ada Lovelace CofE High School via the Local Authority Common Application Form.
Complete the Music Scholarship Application Form on the school website by end of September 2026.
All applicants attend Round One in early October.
⚠️ Important: If you don’t complete the Local Authority application by 31st October, the music application becomes void.
Not Sure How to Prepare Your Child?
Our clear guide shows which music aptitude test preparation options suit beginners, those needing focused texture practice, or families looking for
structured MAT coaching to successfully prepare for the MAT test.
Expectations for Music Place Students
While not an entry requirement, students who gain a specialist place are expected to:
Actively contribute to extra-curricular rehearsals and performances
Make strong progress in performing, composing, and listening through the Music College programme
Learn a string, woodwind, or brass instrument (including guitar) as a first or second study
Final Thoughts
The Ealing Fields music aptitude test is a fantastic opportunity for children with a natural musical ear. With clear preparation and steady practice, your child can
feel confident in showcasing their ability — regardless of whether they’ve had lessons before.
Get your hands on our free MAT practice materials. It contains realistic audio exercises, PDF answer sheet, tips and strategies from experienced UK music aptitude test tutors.
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Want to Help Your Child Prepare?
Our Music Aptitude Maestros App is a perfect companion for independent practice.
♫ Join our 8-Module Digital Course
If you’d like to book our Music Aptitude Mastery Course, which gives your child expert support and structured preparation, click below to learn more!
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