Diagnostic Testing for Incoming Students

Please find below information regarding the placement and competency exams many of you will take before the start of the Fall semester.

Getting Started with Your NEC Credentials

Over the next weeks, you’ll be hearing more from our office about the start of the new term and things that you can do prior to your arrival to ensure the most successful start to your time here at NEC. You will receive instructions for accessing your NEC account shortly; once your NEC accounts are set up, please get in the habit of checking your NEC email regularly so that you don’t miss any important information.

What are these exams, and who has to take them?

Depending on your degree program and major, most of you will need to complete at least a couple of these exams. All entering undergraduate students may take placement exams in music theory, and all entering MM students take competency exams in music theory and music history. There may also be required or optional exams specific to individual majors. All of these exams are diagnostic in nature, and they will ensure that we place you in the classes next fall that are best suited to your level of preparation and your particular needs.

What are the exam dates, how do I take them, and how can I prepare? 

Most of the exams will be administered online. Official testing dates will be posted on this site, which should be consulted regularly for the most up-to-date information. Some exams will run during both the June and August testing periods, while others are only scheduled for late July or August.

Practice materials are available on this site for the following exams:

• Master of Music Theory Competency Exam (MMTCE)

• Graduate Music History Exam (GMHE)

• Music Literacy & Musicianship (MLM) Exam 

• Analysis and Composition (AC) Exam

How Will I Know Which Exams I Need to Complete? 

When you click on the "Diagnostic Testing for Incoming Students" sidebar, you will see a number of additional tabs that will take you to information about tests that are either required or recommended for students in particular degrees and/or majors. Click on tab(s) appropriate to your degree and/or major to see detailed information about the various tests.

What Do I Need to Do NOW? 

• ALL STUDENTS should consult this site to determine the tests that they will need to take prior to the start of the fall semester and mark down the dates and times as posted.

• ALL INCOMING UNDERGRADUATES who choose to take the Music Theory Placement Exams in August should refer to the "All Undergraduate Students (Offered Testing)" tab for detailed instructions, practice materials, and the sign-up form.

MLM and AC exams are now opt-in. Students who do not opt in will be automatically placed into MLM 1 and AC 1, while those who take the exams will have the opportunity to place into a higher level based on their results.

• ALL INCOMING MASTERS STUDENTS taking the competency exams in music history and/or theory in June or August should follow the "All MM Students (Required Testing)" tab to review instructions, practice materials, and complete the sign up forms.

I have a scheduling conflict with one or more of these exams. What should I do?

We encourage you to block off these dates and times in your calendar now and be prepared to take the tests as scheduled, as no alternative testing dates will be offered. 

I Have Some Other Questions. Whom Should I Contact? 

• Check the individual testing tabs on this site. Many of the answers to the most commonly asked questions can be found here!

• For questions about individual tests, please write to the departmental contacts listed on each of the exam pages on the testing website.

• For any other questions, please write to student.services@necmusic.edu.