Information about the placement tests:
- All students in the Music & Entertainment Industry
Studies program are required to complete a minimum of 2 semesters of
Music Theory and Ear Training & Sight Singing (consult your advising
sheet for the required number of semesters for your degree plan).
- PMUS 1100 Music Theory I and PMUS 1110 Ear Training & Sight Singing I are NOT entry-level courses and they assume some previous formal study in music.
- Students must complete the online Music Theory Placement Test and Ear Training Placement Test before registering for any Music Theory or Ear Training course. These tests may only be taken once.
- The placement tests are required to determine if the student has adequate background to enroll in PMUS 1100 Music Theory I and PMUS 1110 Ear Training & Sight Singing I.
- Students must receive a minimum average score of 55% to register for these courses as they are co-requisites.
- Students who receive a 55%-65% average score must also register for Music Theory & Ear Training Lab (PMUS 2000 Section 003) as a supplemental course to Music Theory I and Ear Training & Sight Singing I. It does not fulfill any specific course requirement for the Music degree but may be applied as a general elective (if needed).
- Students who receive a 54% or below average score will be required to register for PMUS 1020 Beginning Musicianship as a preparation course. Students must earn a D- or better in Beginning Musicianship before continuing on to take PMUS 1100 and PMUS 1110. Beginning Musicianship is usually offered during Summer and Fall semesters only. It does not fulfill any specific course requirement for the Music degree but may be applied as a general elective (if needed).
Computer Requirements:
- PC or Mac desktop or laptop
- Valid e-mail account
- Internet access (Broadband or Cable/DSL, Dial-up not recommended)
- Internet Browser (one of the following):
- Internet Explorer 6 or higher
- Mozilla Firefox 2.0 or higher
- Safari 2.0 or higher
- Flash Player 8 or higher
- Speakers or Headphone capability
Login Information:
Students who are new to CU Denver must claim their student email prior to registering for the placement exam. Go to http://www.ucdenver.edu/about/departments/ITS/Pages/AccountTransition.aspx to claim your email account.
Once you have a CU Denver email address, click on the "Login to the Ear Training and Music Theory Placement Tests" link below, you will then click on the "I want to create an account" button. On the account creation screen, you will enter a username, your CU Denver email address (must be CU Denver email), CU Denver student ID, and your first and last name.
After submitting that information, you will receive an email at your CU Denver email address with directions on creating your password, which will then allow you to access the tests. Once you access the test, you will take both placement tests (Ear Training and Music Theory) in sequence. The Ear Training Placement Test will be given first, then students will be immediately directed to the Music Theory Placement Test. These tests must be taken in the same session.
Login to the Ear Training and Music Theory Placement Tests​
Study Guide:
Music Theory I Placement Test
- Know the Circle of 5ths and how it is used with key signatures
- Identify major and minor key signatures
- Understand relative major and minor key relationships
- Name notes on a piano keyboard
- Identify whole step and half step intervals
- Identify diatonic and chromatic intervals (minor 2nd, major 2nd, perfect 4th, augmented 4th, etc.)
- Spell and identify major, minor, diminished, and augmented triads
- Identify major, natural minor, harmonic minor, and melodic minor scales
- Identify if a measure has the correct number of beats
- Identify the missing note value in a measure
- Recognize musical symbols (clefs, D.C., D.S., Coda, Fine, repeat signs, dynamic markings, etc.)
Ear Training I Placement Test
(Flash file will play audio examples for the questions)
- In hearing a series of two pitches, identify if the second is higher, lower, or the same as the first
- Identify the rhythm that is heard from the notated choices
- Identify the melody that is heard from the notated choices
- Identify the interval that is heard (major 2nd, major 3rd, perfect 5th, or major 7th)
- Identify the triad that is heard (major, minor, and diminished)
- Identify the scale that is heard (major or natural minor)
Questions regarding the Music Theory Placement Test and the Ear Training Placement Test should be directed to MEIS.Dept@ucdenver.edu.