Undergraduate Exam

About the Undergraduate Placement Exam

All entering Bachelor of Music (BM) students, including transfer students, are required to complete an online music theory and aural skills placement exam prior to their first semester of study. The exam must be completed before academic advisors can clear students for course registration in June.

This placement exam is not a pass/fail test. Rather, it is a diagnostic tool designed to determine the most appropriate entry point in the music theory and aural skills curriculum. Based on your results, you will be placed into either Fundamentals or Theory & Practice I / Aural Skills I. Students who demonstrate strong performance on the aural skills portion will be invited to take an additional advanced aural skills exam, which may result in placement into Aural Skills II.

All students, regardless of placement, are required to take Theory & Practice I. This course is not a Western harmony survey but a global approach to music theory and practice, and it serves as a prerequisite for all courses in the music theory sequence. Students cannot place out of this course through the exam.

Accurate test results are crucial to ensure you are placed in the level that best matches your current skills. Proper placement helps avoid starting with material that is too difficult or taking more courses than necessary. To achieve the most accurate results, it is important to do your best work and to complete the exam independently.

Follow the steps below to take the Undergraduate Placement Exam:

1) Set up your Auralia and Musition Cloud Account

2) Complete the Pre-Exam System Check

3) Review & Practice

4) Take the Placement Exam

5) Review Your Results

1) Set up your Auralia and Musition Cloud Account

Create Your Account

To take the placement exam, you’ll need to purchase a subscription to the Auralia and Musition Cloud Student Bundle. The cost is $65 USD, and this subscription provides access to:

The placement exam
Review materials for the exam
Access to the music theory and ear training software that you will use in your first year of coursework

To set up your account:

Visit the following link: https://www.risingsoftware.com/shop/cloudstudent/buy?sku=EXAM.
Enter the required information.
Use the school code and PIN below:
- - School Code: NYU-STEINHARDT
  - PIN: J6E4

Access the Software via a Web Browser

After creating your account, log in to the software:

Go to https://auralia.cloud/login.
Enter your username, password, and school code (NYU-STEINHARDT).

The software operates directly through your web browser—no downloads are required. While it’s accessible on mobile devices or tablets, we strongly recommend using a laptop or desktop computer for the best experience and to minimize technical issues during the exam.

If you need technical assistance, including password recovery, visit the Auralia and Musition Cloud Support page. Their team will assist you as quickly as possible.

2) Complete the Pre-Exam System Check

This step is essential and must be completed before taking the exam to ensure your device is properly configured, including sound settings, to access all sections of the exam. Skipping this step may result in technical issues that could disrupt your exam.

Go to https://auralia.cloud and log in using your username and school code (NYU-EXAM).
Begin by completing the system check to ensure the exam will run smoothly on your device:
- Click on the "Tasks" button in the navigation menu.
- Select "NYU Graduate Entrance Exam" from the list.
- In the left-hand column, you’ll see "Grad Entrance Exam: Part 1 - Pre-Exam System Check".
- Click "Start" in the upper-right corner to begin the system check.

3) Review & Practice

You are encouraged to practice the exam as many times as needed before taking the actual placement exam. Practicing will help you familiarize yourself with the software, question types, and topics covered in the exam.

How to Access the Practice Exam:

Click on the "Tasks" tab in the top-left navigation menu.
In the left-hand column, find "NYU Undergraduate Placement Exam Practice."
The practice exam is divided into two parts:
- - Begin with Part 1 and click "Start" in the upper-right corner to begin.
  - Once you complete Part 1, proceed to Part 2 by following the same steps.

Additional Resources:

Exam Breakdown: Visit the Exam Breakdown page for a detailed overview of the exam content and structure.
Online Practice: Use the Online Practice page for instructions on how to practice and to familiarize yourself with the software and question types before you begin. You should review each topic in the software at least once, but you are encouraged to explore them as much as needed to feel comfortable.

Please note that the work you complete during practice is for your benefit only. It will not affect your placement or contribute to your exam score.

4) Take the Placement Exam

Important Information Before You Begin:

You can only take the exam once. It is critical to review the materials and practice using the software before starting.
The exam is divided into two sections: Part 1 and Part 2. Each section is timed and must be completed in a single sitting. Once you start a section, you cannot pause, log out, or resume later.
To ensure the best experience, make sure you are:
- - Fully prepared before starting
  - In a quiet environment with enough time to complete each section
  - Using a stable internet connection

Recommended Materials:

Headphones (for Part 2)
Staff paper and a pencil for note-taking or scratch paper for dictation

Timing and Breaks:

You will have 90 minutes to complete each section of the exam.
Once you start a section, you cannot exit or resume later, so ensure you have enough uninterrupted time to complete the section before starting.
You may take a break between Parts 1 and 2, or even choose to complete them on different days if needed.

How to Take the Exam:

Once you have completed the system check and are ready to take the exam, click on the "Tasks" tab in the top-left navigation menu.
In the left-hand column, find "NYU Undergraduate Placement Exam."
The exam is divided into two parts:
1. - Begin with Part 1 by clicking on it, then select "Start" in the upper-right corner to begin.
  - Once you complete Part 1, proceed to Part 2 in the same manner.
The final section (Part 2) includes a submission form that will allow you to finalize and submit your exam for grading. You may also access the submission form here if the exam is complete: https://forms.gle/NjMG97bTCYZ3mHfP6. Please note: The theory program will not review your exam until this form is received.

5) Review Your Results

After you complete the placement exam and submit the form (see Step 4), the theory program will review your submission. Your results will be posted to the Results page within two weeks.

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