Foreign Language Placement Examinations
All music majors who have previously studied a foreign language are encouraged to take the foreign language placement exams if they intend to continue study in that language at USC. Some majors at USC (specifically Bachelor of Arts majors) have a foreign language requirement
If you intend to take a placement exam, consult with the USC Language Center to learn when to take the appropriate placement exam.
Keyboard Skills Placement Examination
Freshmen with previous keyboard study may be able to place out of some or the entire keyboard skills requirement for their degrees by taking this exam.
Fall Keyboard Placement Exam Offerings
Friday before the first week of the semester
Friday of the first week of the semester
Spring Keyboard Placement Exam Offerings
Friday of the first week of the semester
Friday of the last week of instruction
Further information is available through the Keyboard Studies Office at (213) 740-7703 or via email at classical@usc.edu.
Any USC undergraduate pursuing a major in music, who wishes to take a keyboard placement exam for a possible course waiver of MPKS 150ab or MPKS 250ab, must take that exam by the end of their second semester. If the exam is not passed by the end of the second semester, students will not have another opportunity to attempt the exam and will need to complete the required keyboard course(s) at USC. Questions regarding this policy may be directed to Dr. Stephen Pierce at pierces@usc.edu.
Music Theory and Aural Skills Placement Exams
New first-year students (all majors except Music Industry) will have an opportunity to complete placement exams in music theory and aural skills. These exams are not required but are necessary if a student would like to be considered for placement into music theory and/or aural skills courses that are beyond the first semester courses.
These placement exams will be administered online on August 7-8. Students must complete the exams within this two-day window, which is based on the student’s local time zone.
Starting the week of August 4, students will receive an email in their USC inbox from Auralia & Musition (cloudsupport@risingsoftware.com) with login credentials to access the Auralia & Musition platform. Use the information in this email to create an account to log in to the exam platform. There will be tutorials and guides that can be completed before the exams begin on August 7. Students will have 30 minutes to complete each exam, but the exams must be taken and completed within the August 7-8 window.
All students pursuing a BM degree will register for first-year theory and aural skills during their Orientation registration time. Based on placement exam results, students will be advised to make changes to their initial theory and aural skills course registration.