Croxley Danes School – 2026 Music Aptitude Test Information
If you’re considering applying for a music place at Croxley Danes School (part of the SW Herts Schools Consortium), here’s what you need to know about the Music Aptitude process.
Overview of the Process
There are two stages to the Music Aptitude Test:
Stage 1: Listening Test
• Date: Monday, 7 September 2026
• Format: 60 questions, 45 minutes
• Sections:
◦ Pitch: Compare two sounds and decide if the second is higher, lower, or the same.
◦ Melody: Identify whether a note has changed in a short tune.
◦ Rhythm: Spot differences between two rhythmic patterns.
◦ Texture: Decide if chords have two, three, or four notes.
For Stage 1, Croxley Danes 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, Ada Lovelace, Herts and Essex, Liverpool College.
Stage 2: Performance Assessment
• Dates: Monday 21 – Friday 25 September 2026
• What’s Involved:
◦ Perform one piece (up to 3 minutes) on any instrument or voice.
◦ Marked out of 45 points for accuracy, musicality, and communication.
◦ The difficulty of the piece or any formal grades are not considered.
• Results Released: Thursday, 16 October.
Performance Notes:
• No personal accompanists; if accompaniment is needed, bring sheet music.
• Instruments must be tuned in advance.
• You can bring your own keyboard, amp, or CD player for backing tracks.
• Arrive 10 minutes early to warm up.
Application Numbers and Scores
For the 2025 entry, 60 applicants were considered under the Musical Aptitude Criterion.
• To qualify, candidates had to complete both parts of the test: the listening assessment and the performance.
• All students scoring 45 or higher in the listening test were invited to Stage 2.
• Final scores ranged from 45 (highest) to 19 (lowest).
• On 1 March 2025, the lowest assessment score allocated a place was 19.
• A total of 18 music places were awarded.
Reviews and Appeals
• You can request a review of Stage 1 marking after results are published.
• Stage 2 scores are final, though you may raise exceptional circumstances during the official appeals process after allocation day.
Tip: All updates, test times, and results are posted on the Parent Portal, so check it regularly.
For full details and deadlines, visit the SW Herts Consortium website.
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