MM Testing

Required for All MM Students

As part of your enrollment, all incoming Master of Music (MM) students are required to take the Master of Music Theory Competency Exam (MMTCE), which consists of two sections: Tonal and Post-Tonal. 

You may place out of each section individually. Please note that Graduate Diploma and Graduate Performance Certificate students who are interested in taking graduate theory courses are encouraged to take the MMTCE as a prerequisite.

This exam evaluates your skill in part-writing and analysis, melodic ear training, and harmonic ear training. Students who have not passed the exam by the end of the August testing period must, in their first semester [Fall 2026], enroll in:

•  Principles of Tonal Harmony & Form (MTHY 082) 

and/or [depending on MMTCE results]

• Principles of Post-Tonal Harmony & Form (MTHY 082A) 

These half-semester courses provide foundational instruction in ear-training, tonal harmony, form, and post-tonal concepts.

PLEASE NOTE: All incoming MM students at NEC will be required to pass either the MMTCE [this summer] or the MTHY 082/MTHY 082A course(s) in order to graduate. Additionally, a passing score on the exam or a passing grade in the MTHY 082/MTHY 082A is a pre-requisite for all graduate music theory electives.

You will have two opportunities to take the MMTCE:

(1) In June: 

• Sunday, June 7 at 10:00am - 1:00pm

(2) In August:

• Monday, August 17 at 10:00am - 1:00pm

OR

• Monday, August 24 at 10:00am - 1:00pm

We encourage you to take the exam in June so that you have a second chance in August if needed.  

Please see the sub-tab for Sign-Up and Review Course information: 

About the MMTCE