Ada Lovelace CofE High School – Music Aptitude Test Explained
At Ada Lovelace CofE High School, 10% of Year 7 places are reserved for students with a natural musical aptitude. These are awarded through the school’s specialist music admissions process, which is designed to assess a child’s ability to listen carefully and respond to sound — not their prior training or certificates.
This means your child can be awarded a music place whether or not they’ve had formal lessons.
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 on Thursday 2nd or Friday 3rd October 2025 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)
Chords (harmonies)
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 (20 questions)
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 (10 questions)
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 (20 questions)
Children hear chords (groups of notes played together) and identify whether they contain two, three, or four notes.
• Rhythm (10 questions)
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.
Stage 2: Aural Test (Out of 40 marks)
The highest-scoring students from Round 1 will be invited to Round 2, held on Thursday 9th or Friday 10th October 2025 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 back rhythms and pitches
Listen and repeat musical patterns on classroom instruments
Identify different instruments from recorded music
Important Dates
Round One: 2nd or 3rd October 2025
Round Two: 9th or 10th October 2025
How the Scoring and Offers Work
All applicants sit Round 1 on one of two given dates.
Friday 17th 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 4.00pm on Friday 26th September 2025.
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.
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.
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