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Music Placement Examinations

Music Placement Examinations

All new students, including students from other faculties who are interested in pursuing a music minor or major, may sit diagnostic placement examinations in theory (courses with MUTH or MUJZ prefixes) and musicianship (courses with MUSP prefixes) if they wish to register for 200-level courses in these subjects. Placement examinations take place once a year.

For a precise schedule and exam descriptions, refer to Placement Exams.

For B.Mus., L.Mus. students (except those in a Jazz program) and students in other bachelor programs who would like to pursue a Music minor or major, the following placement exams are available:

  • Theory - MUTH 100*, 150 and 151
  • Musicianship (Ear Training) - MUSP 140, 141, 240 and 241
  • Musicianship - MUSP 170 and 171 (Keyboard Proficiency: piano, organ and harpsichord students are automatically exempt, and therefore not required to take this placement test)

* With the exception of students who have completed a Music DEC, or fundamental theory course(s) from another university, those who wish to take MUTH 150 must take the placement test for MUTH 100 before they can register.

Note: Students who have successfully completed equivalent musicology courses from a CEGEP, college or university, or have passed the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) Level 10 History exam, are exempt from Western Musical Traditions (MUHL 186). See Placement Exams for more detail about MUHL 186 exemption.

For B.Mus. Jazz Performance, B.Mus. Faculty – Jazz, and L.Mus. Jazz Performance students, the following placement exams are available:

  • Jazz Ear Training - MUSP 123 and 124
  • Jazz Keyboard Proficiency - MUJZ 170 and 171 (jazz piano and jazz guitar students are automatically exempt, and therefore not required to take this placement test)
  • Jazz Materials - MUJZ 160 and 161
  • Theory (B.Mus. Faculty - Jazz students only) - MUTH 100*, 150 and 151

* With the exception of students who have completed a Music DEC, or fundamental theory course(s) from another university, those who wish to take MUTH 150 must take the placement test for MUTH 100 before they can register.

Note: Students who have successfully completed equivalent jazz history courses from a CEGEP, college or university are exempt from Jazz History Survey (MUJZ 187). See Music Placement Exams for more detail about MUJZ 187 exemption.

New B.Mus. and L.Mus. students will receive the placement examination results on their Online Program Audit (OPA). See mcgill.ca/music/student-resources/undergraduates/academic-resources/program-audit for details. Exemption note(s) will be added to the transcripts for those who have been exempt from one or more course(s) via placement exams.

Students accepted into the Licentiate Diploma, who have completed the degree of Bachelor of Music at a Canadian or North American university (or the equivalent elsewhere) within the preceding three (3) years, will not be required to sit the Music Placement Examinations and will be exempted from required Theory, Musicianship, and Music History.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2022-2023 (last updated Feb. 7, 2022) (disclaimer)
Schulich School of Music—2022-2023 (last updated Feb. 7, 2022) (disclaimer)
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