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Music Scholarship Entry to the West London Free School. It’s nearly time for the auditions for this hugely popular secondary school. Here’s how you can help prepare for the Musical Aptitude Test.

One of the most popular secondary schools in West London offers just 12 spaces on a Music Scholarship place. These places are highly sought after and awarded to students playing at a higher than average level.

If selected, scholars are expected to make a commitment to their musical education – arriving at school early on some days, giving up their lunch break on others, ensuring they practise their chosen instrument regularly, etc. The programme aims to develop the practical abilities of scholars and deepen their understanding of how music works. Keyboard skills, ensemble playing, pitch perception and music theory are at the centre of these lessons, along with learning to use notation and sequencing software. 

Why Sit the Test?

  • A priority place at WLFS, regardless of catchment area.
  • A half hour instrumental or singing lesson each week, paid for by the school.
  • Theory of music classes on Wednesdays at 8.00am.
  • Membership of the school choir.
  • Sight-singing classes.

What is Included in the Test?

The test at Year 7 is designed to identify pupils who have musical potential as well as those who already study an instrument. So long as your child has a love of music, we would encourage you to apply. The test lasts 5 to 10 minutes and assesses pitch perception and sense of rhythm/pulse. The candidates will not be asked to prepare anything or bring an instrument, as the test is completed entirely vocally. It is not a test of vocal quality.

Can I Download Any Training Materials?

We do offer a digital download which is useful preparation for these styles of tests. However as the WLFS test is entirely vocal then we recommend booking a 1-to-1 lesson to work on general musical ability in the style of tests you might hear on the day. Please note the tests varies each year so we cannot guarantee what you will hear on the day.

How do I book a 1-to-1 lesson?

You can book online on Eventbrite which shows all available times. Our teachers fit these lessons around their weekly teaching commitments so there are no other slots available other than what is listed.

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Music Aptitude Tests with Graphic Scores

What is the Music Aptitude Test? The test is used by state secondary schools in the UK to select a percentage of their intake on a music scholarship programme. The Standard Test covers Pitch, Texture, Rhythm and Melody and is designed to test a young person’s natural music aptitude. The MAT is used in Stage 1 of the test.

The Enhanced Test includes supplementary questions and graphic scores to cover the 7-section Music Aptitude Test in the style of the test used for Ashmole Academy. Ashmole hold their MAT earlier than most other UK schools. This usually takes place in June of Year 5.

We offer 1-to-1 lessons to help you prepare for the style of tests you will hear. Book a session online: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/se22-piano-school-16475016451

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Music Aptitude Test Preparation

I have been tutoring students for the Music Aptitude Test entry to local state schools such as Kingsdale, Haberdashers Askes, Prendergast, Ladywell Hilly Fields, Norwood School and many more for nearly 15 years. Since I started switching to online tutoring, this has allowed me to reach a wider audience of students hoping to gain entry to popular UK schools such as Dame Alice Owen, Bristol Cathedral Choir School and Mill Hill County just to name a few using this selective entry criteria.

My own daughter sat the tests too so I understand the pressure regarding these tests that can often help you bypass the catchment area criteria.

Many of the schools imply no musical knowledge is required to sit the test. Whilst this is indeed true of the Round One musical aptitude test, this is rarely true of the second round where you have to perform on an instrument or sing.

Last week I met a student for a one hour online lesson. At the time of booking they said the student is Grade 1 level on the piano. When I met them in the lesson they were only able to play 5 notes in the right hand in a beginner hand position. Unfortunately this level of playing would not usually be awarded a Music Scholarship even if the schools say no musical experience is required. There are so few places available each year so the likelihood of the space going to a student that is at a beginner level is extremely unlikely.

The whole process is indeed rather mystifying but in my experience it is only really students playing less common instruments at lower grades or more common instruments at higher grades that achieve the scholarship. I always encourage my piano students to take up a lesser played second instrument to complement their piano studies. Schools tend to prioritise students playing instruments that can be played in an ensemble or singers for the choir.

If you would like any guidance or help with the scholarship process please book a 1-to-1 session with me or Mirna and we can answer all of your questions:

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/se22-piano-school-16475016451