Chancellor’s School 11+ Music Aptitude Test Explained
Important Dates
Chancellor’s School runs its Musical Aptitude Tests in the Summer term of Year 5, prior to application for Year 7 entry.
Main test date: Summer term of Year 5
Additional test date: Autumn term of Year 6 (for late applicants only)
Final deadline: September (this is the final opportunity to test)
Exact test timings are sent to parents by email in advance. If the school cannot accommodate all applicants on one day, a further test date may be arranged.
Who Can Apply?
Children applying for a place at Chancellor’s School under the musical aptitude criterion must:
Complete and return the Supplementary Information Form (SIF) by the stated deadline
Sit both parts of the Musical Aptitude Test
Include Chancellor’s School as a preference on the Common Application Form (CAF) by 31st October
Only children who complete both tests are eligible to be considered for a music aptitude place.No Official Practice Papers
Hockerill College does not publish practice papers for this test. However, children are given a practice question at the start of each section during the test to make sure they understand what is required.
No Prior Music Training Needed
Chancellor’s School is very clear that the Musical Aptitude Test:
Does not require music theory knowledge
Does not require formal instrumental lessons
Does not depend on music grades or certificates
Please do not send any supporting material or certificates, as these cannot be taken into account.
However, children who are offered a place based on musical aptitude are expected to take part in the school’s extra-curricular music activities.
Structure of the Chancellor’s School Music Aptitude Test
The assessment has two compulsory parts:
Written Aural Music Aptitude Test
Musical Performance Aptitude Test
Musical Aptitude Test 1 – Written Aural Test
Format: Written, taken in a group
Duration: Approximately 15 minutes
Content: Entirely aural (listening-based)
Practice papers: None provided
The test contains 60 questions across four sections:
Pitch, Melody, Texture, and Rhythm
Section 1: Pitch (20 questions)
Children listen to two sounds and decide whether the second sound is:
The same
Higher
Lower
Some pitch differences are less than a semitone apart, making them extremely close.
This section tests:
Fine pitch discrimination
Sensitivity to very small pitch changes
Listening accuracy under time pressure
Section 2: Melody (10 questions)
Children hear two short tunes, each consisting of five notes.
They decide whether the second tune is the same or different
If different, they must identify which note has changed by giving the number of the note
This section tests:
Melodic memory
Attention to detail
Sequential listening skills
Section 3: Texture (20 questions)
Children listen to chords (notes played together at the same time) and decide whether each chord contains:
2 notes
3 notes
4 notes
This section tests:
The ability to hear “inside” a sound
Awareness of high and low notes within a chord
Concentration across repeated listening tasks
Section 4: Rhythm (10 questions)
Children listen to two rhythmic patterns, each four beats (pulses) long.
They must decide:
Whether the rhythms are the same or different
If different, where the change occurs
This section tests:
A steady internal sense of pulse
Rhythmic memory
Accuracy in detecting small timing changesKey Information for Parents
The Hockerill test is aural, written, and listening-based
Musical examples are longer and more demanding than many standard MAT papers
Strong concentration, musical memory, and sensitivity are essential
The score threshold is extremely high, so careful preparation matters
Musical Aptitude Test 2 – Performance
In addition to the written test, all applicants must complete a performance aptitude assessment.
Format: Individual
Duration: 5 minutes maximum (from entering to leaving the room)
Instrument: Any instrument or voice
Choice of music: Completely free choice
Multiple instruments: Allowed, if time permits
Children will also talk briefly with the panel about their musical interests.
Special Arrangements and Absence
Parents of children with special educational or medical needs must provide written evidence from the child’s current Headteacher outlining the child’s normal way of working.
Evidence must be submitted at least two weeks before the written test
Parents will be informed in advance of any approved arrangements
If a child is:
Medically unfit on the test day (medical evidence required), or
Unable to attend for religious reasons (evidence required)
They may be offered one alternative test date, provided the school is notified within 24 hours.
⚠️ A child may only sit the Musical Aptitude Tests for Year 7 once.
Test Results and Next Steps
Parents will receive their child’s ranking by email before the end of October
This information can help inform school preferences
To be considered for a place, parents must still submit the CAF via their Local Authority and list Chancellor’s School as a preference by 31st October
Key Information for Parents
For Stage 1, Chancellor’s uses the standard Music Aptitude test. This test format is also used by schools like: Moulsham, Dame Alice Owen’s, South West Herts schools, Twyford, Tiffin, Ealing Fields, Ada Lovelace, Herts and Essex, Liverpool College.
Listening accuracy matters more than musical experience
Pitch and texture sections are heavily weighted
The performance test assesses musical engagement, not polish
Preparation should focus on aural skills, memory, and confidence
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