Music Theory Diagnostic Exam

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A student writing musical notation on a whiteboard

Preparing for Success in Music Theory

Welcome to the music theory website at Iowa State University. The music theory courses at ISU provide an excellent foundation for you to become a better musician through becoming skilled at interpreting and understanding music as well as writing and arranging music. 

We want you to thrive in music at ISU in all aspects—performance, academics and service. To succeed performance and academics, it is essential to be fluent in the fundamentals of music prior to entering the degree program. Several resources that can help you with this are listed below. To make sure you are ready to begin taking the required music theory classes for your music major, you will take a diagnostic theory exam the first day of class to determine if you have any knowledge gaps that need to be addressed. If you do have any gaps, you will be advised to take a short Theory Preparation course at the beginning of the semester alongside the regular theory course for majors. This course will help ensure that you have a successful start in music theory. 

The following are fundamental skills needed for beginning the core theory classes for music majors. These include links to tutorials to learn about these skills and to practice building these skills. 

Rhythm

The ability to:

Pitch

The ability to notate and identify:


Diagnostic Exams

Date, Times, and Location: In class on the first day of the semester


Sample Fundamental Diagnostic Exams

Sample_Fundamental_Diagnostic_Test_1.pdf
Sample_Fundamental_Diagnostic_Test_2.pdf

Sample_Answers_Diagnostic_Test_1.pdf
Sample_Answers_Diagnostic_Test_2.pdf


Advanced Placement Exam

The Advanced Placement exam is required of all transfer students and students with an AP theory score of 4 or 5. This placement exam evaluates knowledge and skill of four-part writing, voice-leading principles and techniques, Roman numeral analysis, figured bass realization, cadences and non-chord tones. Following the exam, a recommendation will be made about where to best begin in the theory sequence at ISU.  

Click here to access an example exam with problems similar to those found on the Advanced Placement Exam. 

Click here to access answers to the Advanced Placement example exam.


Learning Resources

Books

We would recommend either of the following books to help you prepare for the placement exam: 

  • Paul O. Harder and Greg A Steinke: Basic Materials of Music Theory: A Programmed Course, 11th edition, published by Pearson Prentice Hall. (Entire book.)
  • John Clough, Joyce Conley, and Claire Boge: Scales, Intervals, Keys, Triads, Rhythm and Meter: A programmed course in Elementary Music Theory, 3rd edition, published by W.W. Norton. (Chapters 1-29 only.)

Internet Resources

You might also try the following web sites, which are free: 


Typically Asked Questions

Do I have to take the exam? 
All incoming music major and minors must take the Fundamentals Diagnostic exam.  All transfer students and students with high school AP credit in Music Theory must take our Advanced Placement exam.

What if I don't know any music theory yet? 
You have plenty of time to get prepared. Ask for help from a music teacher, whether it be your band director, orchestra director, choir director, or a private teacher. Be sure to also check out the learning resources given above. 

What if I already know basic music theory? 
Great! You are well prepared to succeed as a musician; however, you must still take the Fundamentals Exam. 

Does Iowa State University grant credit for the Advanced Placement (AP) exam in music theory? 
Iowa State University grants credit for a score of 4 or 5 for the high school AP test and students are typically placed in our second semester theory course, MUS234.  However, these students will still be required to take our written Advanced Placement exam and to demonstrate their sight singing skills.

If you have any further questions, please contact Dr. Kris Bryden at kabryden@iastate.edu or Dr. Julie Sturm at jksturm@iastate.edu.