Theory Placement
Exam

UNDERGRADUATE

Theory Placement Exam

Starting in SPRING 2025, the Theory Placement Exam (TPE) will be administered virtually, via Canvas. Students must first fill out the Google form linked below. Once filled out, students will be invited to the TPE Canvas course, after which they can take the exam on their own time. Results will be assessed on a rolling basis, as students complete the exam. Upon completion of the exam, and receipt of your score, please follow up with the Music Department Undergraduate Advisor, Cory Graves-Montalbano <cgravesm@ucsc.edu>, for next steps.

Please note that this asynchronous version of the TPE can only be taken ONCE PER QUARTER. So if you are planning on taking MUSC 14 in Spring 2025, make sure to take the exam before the first day of the Spring quarter. If you do not place into MUSC 14 for Spring, we are planning on offering 14 again in the Summer Session.

Theory Placement Exam signup form

Background Information

The Theory Placement Exam helps determine what level of Western theory students will begin at, which can effect time to graduation. Students that have taken theory courses or the AP Music Theory exam, or have taken Western theory courses at other institutions, are still required to take the Placement Exam. Credits for the courses taken from other schools/AP Exams may transfer over and contribute to the student’s class standing, however, the Placement Exam is the only way students can test into the correct theory level for their background. 

Transfers students are strongly encouraged to take the exam the year before they apply as placement results may determine if the students spends two or three years completing the major. 

If a student places into MUSC 14, rather than MUSC 30A, the major requirements they are eligible to complete in their first year may be affected. All potential and incoming Transfer students should email music@ucsc.edu to schedule phone or Zoom advising.

Students without a strong theory background should still plan to take the Theory Placement Exam. These students can plan to take MUSC 20A: Global Music Theory & Musicianship if they have very little prior theory experience, or MUSC 14: Beginning Western Theory & Musicianship if they have some background in Western theory. Students will not be able to enroll in MUSC 14 when online enrollment appointments open for the quarter – they must place into it via the Placement Exam (see above for info), and should attend the first day of class to receive a permission code from the instructor. Priority is given to music majors and minors by class standing. 

**If you require DRC accommodations, please get in touch with the Music office as soon as possible at <music@ucsc.edu>. When contacting the office, please include any DRC documentation you have received.**