Twyford C of E High School – Music Aptitude Test Explained

5 Sept

Did you know that Twyford C of E High School offers 19 specialist music places each year for Year 7 entry? These places are awarded to students who show a natural musical aptitude – and importantly, this doesn’t depend on whether your child has had formal music lessons before.

Here’s a simple breakdown of how the process works:

Stage 1: Listening Test (Out of 60 marks)

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:

Tell the difference between high and low pitches
Recognise different rhythms
Identify chords and harmonies
Notice changes in melodies

This test is “unseen” (no preparation material provided on the day), so regular practice at home is key.

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 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 19th October 2025

How the Scoring and Offers Work

All applicants sit Round 1 on one of two given dates.

Parents are told their child’s score and whether they are invited to Round 2.
Final score = Round 1 + Round 2 (out of 100).
Students are ranked in order of score. The top 19 are offered a music place on National Offer Day (early March) — unless they accept a higher-preference school.

What if your child doesn’t make the top 19?

They’ll be placed on a waiting list, ranked by score.
In case of a tie, priority goes to those living nearer the school.
Students not offered a music place can still apply for a Foundation or World Faith place by completing the appropriate Twyford application form.

Final Thoughts

If your child has a good musical ear – whether or not they’ve had formal lessons – Twyford’s music aptitude route is a fantastic opportunity. With the right preparation and regular practice, students can go into the test feeling confident and ready to shine.