Ashmole Academy Music Aptitude Test
Ashmole Academy offers up to 12 music criterion places annually. The Music Aptitude Test assesses natural musical ability across 6 core skills. No prior musical training required.
Test Format & Structure
Sections Tested (in order):
Listen to two tones and identify if the second is the same, higher, or lower than the first.
Learn tips & practice →Match the melodic contour you hear to the correct visual representation (line graph).
Learn tips & practice →Identify patterns of long and short sounds (e.g., short-short-long, long-short-short).
Learn tips & practice →Count how many simultaneous sounds/voices you hear (typically 2, 3, or 4).
Learn tips & practice →Detect if the music stays the same speed, speeds up (accelerando), or slows down (ritardando).
Learn tips & practice →Identify volume changes: getting louder (crescendo), getting softer (decrescendo), or staying constant.
Learn tips & practice →2025/26 Key Dates
Always verify dates: Check the official Ashmole admissions page for confirmed 2025/26 dates.
How Selection Works
1Academic Threshold
Students must achieve the required standard in the academic entrance exam (typically standardized score of 110+).
2Music Aptitude Test
All eligible students take the MAT. Scores are ranked from highest to lowest.
3Rank Order Allocation
The top 12 scorers (approximately) receive music criterion places. Exact number may vary by year.
Important: There is no second-round performance or interview for Ashmole's music places. The decision is based entirely on the MAT score (subject to academic threshold).
Try a Free 10-Question Sampler
Experience the exact format of Ashmole's Music Aptitude Test. Our questions mirror the real test structure and difficulty.
No sign-up required for Pitch module • Unlimited practice
Preparation Strategy for Ashmole
This gives enough time to practice all 6 sections without overwhelming your child alongside school work.
Don't just focus on strengths. Every question counts equally, so balanced preparation is key.
Build stamina for the 40-45 minute duration. Aim for 2-3 full mocks in the final 2 weeks.
15-20 minutes daily is better than long weekend sessions. This builds consistent listening skills.
What Parents Say
"My daughter had never taken music lessons but scored in the top 10 at Ashmole. The practice questions here matched the real test format perfectly."
"We practiced 20 minutes every evening for 6 weeks. The rhythm section was exactly like the real test!"