The Habs and Prendergast Music Aptitude Test takes place on Saturday 26 September 2026. With approximately three weeks remaining, the question is no longer how much practice a child can complete. It is where their listening is already secure, where they hesitate and what can realistically improve before the assessment.
Hatcham College’s Music Specialism application deadline is Monday 21 September 2026 at 4pm.
Girls applying to both Hatcham College and Prendergast School sit the first-round aural test once at Hatcham. However, the two schools have separate application processes, so families must follow the instructions issued by each school.
If your child needs an individual assessment and a focused plan for the remaining weeks, book a one-to-one Music Aptitude Test lesson on Zoom with SE22 Piano School.
Three weeks before the test: assess before practising
The first step should be a balanced assessment across the three sections published by Hatcham College:
- pitch and melody;
- instruments and texture;
- rhythm, metre and tempo.
Hatcham describes the assessment as a 60-question multiple-choice aural test, with 20 questions in each section.
Children rarely perform equally across every area. One child may recognise changes in rhythm immediately but struggle to distinguish closely spaced pitches. Another may hear melodies accurately but become uncertain when identifying instrumental families or layers of musical texture.
A broad assessment helps identify those differences. It also prevents children from spending most of their time repeating the exercises they already find comfortable.
Our complete Habs and Prendergast Music Aptitude Test guide contains the full published test format and admissions timetable.
Two weeks before the test: concentrate on the gaps
Once the difficult areas have been identified, practice can become more selective.
Short, regular sessions are usually more productive than completing one test after another. Depending on the child, this might include:
- comparing individual pitches more carefully;
- following the direction and shape of a melody;
- recognising woodwind, brass, string and percussion families;
- separating instruments within a musical texture;
- hearing whether rhythms are the same or different;
- recognising changes in tempo or dynamics.
Children also need to understand exactly what each question is asking. A pupil may hear the musical difference but select the wrong answer because they misunderstood the wording, lost concentration or began second-guessing an accurate first response.
Our article on developing musical listening skills in children explains why familiarity with different instruments, textures and musical styles supports this kind of listening.
A specialist individual MAT lesson allows us to identify what the child is actually hearing and concentrate the remaining preparation on the areas where it can make a difference.
The final days: calm mixed practice
During the final few days, preparation should become lighter.
Children can complete short groups of mixed questions to practise moving between pitch, melody, instruments, texture and rhythm. However, this is not the time to introduce large quantities of unfamiliar material or turn every mistake into a crisis.
The aim is to help the child:
- listen carefully to the complete example;
- understand the available answers;
- make a decision without excessive hesitation;
- recover calmly after a difficult question;
- maintain concentration throughout the test.
Confidence should come from understanding the task and recognising genuine progress—not simply from being told that everything will be fine.
One test does not mean one application
Hatcham College and Prendergast School are separate schools.
Girls applying under the music criterion to both schools will sit the first-round test once at Hatcham’s Jerningham site. Hatcham then sends the result to Prendergast.
Families must still complete the music application required by each school and submit their normal local-authority secondary-school application.
The shared arrangement only covers the first-round result. Any later audition invitations, instructions and decisions remain school-specific.
Parents should check the current information published by Haberdashers’ Hatcham College and Prendergast School before submitting their applications.
Preparing for the possible audition stage
Hatcham expects to tell applicants by Friday 2 October whether they have progressed to an audition. Its auditions will take place during the weeks beginning 5 and 12 October 2026.
Children who may reach the next stage should keep their instrumental or vocal piece comfortable and secure. However, families should wait for the current invitation before assuming that older audition formats or requirements will apply.
Prendergast will issue its own later-stage instructions separately.
Individual preparation with SE22 Piano School
SE22 Piano School provides specialist one-to-one preparation for Music Aptitude Tests and music-school admissions.
Rather than working through the same material with every child, we assess how the individual pupil listens, responds and manages unfamiliar questions. Lessons can then concentrate on the areas that need attention while continuing to build calm, earned confidence.
Lessons take place individually on Zoom and are available to families throughout the UK.
Book a one-to-one Habs and Prendergast Music Aptitude Test lesson with SE22 Piano School.
