Undergraduate Exam

All entering undergraduate/transfer music majors are required to take an online theory placement exam before their first semester of study and before they can be cleared by their advisors in June for course registration. 

This page explains how to set up your exam account, how to review and practice, and how to take the exam.

1) Set up your Auralia and Musition Cloud Account


Create an Account


In order to take the exam, you will need to purchase a subscription to the Auralia and Musition Cloud Student Bundle. The cost is $59 USD. This purchase will give you access not only to the placement exam but also to music theory and ear training software that you will be using throughout your first year of study. 


To set up your account, visit https://www.risingsoftware.com/shop/bamec and select BUY NOW. At this point you will need to enter the school code and PIN:


Access the Software via a Web Browser


The software works via a web browser and can be used on a computer or mobile device. Once you’ve created your account, you can visit https://auralia.cloud/login and login using your username, password, and school code.


If you need technical support at any time, including password recovery, please visit https://www.risingsoftware.com/cloudsupport/support and someone will respond as soon as possible.


Please do not download the desktop versions of the software, as the exams will not be as easy to find in that format. Our placement exams are designed to be viewed in a web browser.

2) Complete Pre-Exam System Check


Begin by completing a system check to ensure that the exam runs smoothly on your device.  Click on the “Tasks” tab; you will see "NYU Undergraduate Placement Exam" listed in the left-hand column (see below). Click on "Pre-exam system check" and then click on "Start" in the upper right-hand corner.

3) Review & Practice


You are allowed to practice the exam as many times as you wish before you take the actual placement exam. To access the practice exam, click on the “Tasks” tab and you will see the "NYU Undergraduate Placement Exam Practice” listed in the left-hand column. (See below) The exam is divided into two parts. Please complete Part 1 before moving on to Part 2. 


To begin, click on PART 1 of the exam and then click on “Start” in the upper right-hand corner. Once you complete the first section, proceed to the next one in the sequence.

The Exam Breakdown page provides a detailed breakdown of the exam. 


The Online Practice page provides instructions for how to practice and familiarize yourself with the software and question types before you begin. You should review each topic in the software at least once, but please feel free to explore each until you feel comfortable. The work that you do as review and practice is for your benefit only. It will not be used to determine your placement and will not be counted towards your exam score. 

4) Take the Placement Exam


You can only take the exam once, so it is important to review the materials covered in it, and to familiarize yourself with the software beforehand. 


After you have completed the system check, and when you are ready to take the exam, click on the “Tasks” tab and you will see the "NYU Undergraduate Placement Exam" listed in the left-hand column. (See below) The exam is divided into two parts. Please complete Part 1 before moving on to Part 2. 


To begin, click on PART 1 of the exam and then click on “Start” in the upper right-hand corner. Once you complete the first section, proceed to the next one in the sequence.


You will have 90 minutes to complete each section of the exam. Once you begin, you will not be able to exit out and resume, so please make sure that you have the time you need to complete the exam before you begin. You may take a break between Parts 1 and 2, or even take them on different days if you prefer. 

5) Submit Your Exam


Once you have completed all required sections of the exam, you'll be directed to submit your exam. There is a link to the submission form within the exam itself. You may also access the submission form here: https://forms.gle/NjMG97bTCYZ3mHfP6. 


Submitting the exam is a required step. The theory program will not review your exam until this form is received. 

6) Review Your Results


Once the theory program receives the submission form (see Step 4 above), your exam will be reviewed and results will be posted to the Results page within 2 weeks. 


Test scores


Do not worry about “passing” or “failing” the placement exam. The placement exam is a diagnostic tool designed to help us determine the appropriate levels of theory and aural skills you should begin with in our curriculum. Our primary goal is to give every student the best education possible, and this is the first step in that process. 


Accurate test results are essential so that you do not begin with a level that is too difficult or end up taking more courses than necessary. It is important to do your best work, and to do your work independently.