This page contains information regarding the Core Music Theory and Aural Skills CBEs (MUTH 1400/1410, 1500/1510, 2400/2410, 2500/2510) as well as the Explorations in Music I and II CBEs (MUTH 1300, 1350). Use the buttons below to navigate to the main sections of the page.

Exam Dates Requirements & Eligibility Restrictions GENERAL INFO (CORE THEORY) GENERAL INFO (EXPLORATIONS IN MUSIC) FAQs

Exam Dates

Both the Core Theory and Aural Skills CBEs and the Explorations in Music CBEs will be administered on the Tuesday before each long semester (Fall and Spring). The exam dates for the AY 2026–2027 are:

Tuesday, August 11, 2026 (9:00 am)

• • MUTH 1300 & 1350 (Music Explorations): Music Building (Rm 289)

  • MUTH 1400/1410 and up (Core Theory & Aural Skills): Music Building (Rm 288)

Tuesday, January 5, 2027 (9:00 am)

• • MUTH 1300 & 1350 (Music Explorations): Music Building (Rm TBA)

  • MUTH 1400/1410 and up (Core Theory & Aural Skills): Music Building (Rm TBA)

Requirements & Eligibility

Core Theory Track

Students needing to enroll in MUTH 1400/1410, 1500/1510, 2400/2410, 2500/2510 may attempt the Core Theory & Aural Skills CBEs. Students in the following degrees are eligible:

• Bachelor of Music (BM) degrees in Music Composition, Music Education, or Performance

• Bachelor of Music (BM) degree in Jazz Studies*

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Music

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees in Commercial Music or Critical Studies in Music and Society (CSMS)**

*Jazz majors will enroll in MUTH 1400/1410 and 1500/1510 only. There are jazz-specific theory and aural skills courses at the 2000-level.

**It is recommended that students admitted to the Commercial Music major enroll in the Core Theory & Aural Skills track. Students admitted to the CSMS degree may enroll in either the Core Theory & Aural Skills track OR the Explorations in Music track. If you are unsure which track is right for you, then please discuss your options with an undergraduate music advisor (see Academic Advising).  

Explorations in Music Track

Students needing to enroll in MUTH 1300 and 1350 may attempt the Explorations in Music CBEs. Students in the following programs or academic designations are eligible:

• Pre-Music students (PMUS)

• Music minors

• Non-Music majors

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees in Commercial Music or Critical Studies in Music and Society (see the ** notes above for more details)

Restrictions

First-time students needing to enroll in MUTH 1400/1410, 1500/1510, 2400/2410, or 2500/2510 need to be aware of the following restrictions:

• You cannot take the corresponding portion of the CBE for a class in which you were previously enrolled at any university (i.e., you cannot take the Theory I portion of the exam if you were previously enrolled in a Theory I course).

• You may only attempt the exam once. If you fail the exam or a portion of it (e.g., the aural skills portion), you may not retake the exam/portion later.

• Jazz majors: you are only eligible to take the MUTH 1400/1410 and 1500/1510 portions of the exam since you do not enroll in MUTH 2400/2410 or 2500/2510.

First-time students needing to enroll in MUTH 1300 or 1350 need to be aware of the following restrictions:

• You cannot take the CBE for a class in which you were previously enrolled at any university (i.e., you cannot take the Explorations in Music I CBE if you were previously enrolled in this class).

• You may only attempt the exam

Core Music Theory & Aural Skills Credit-by-Exams (CBEs)

General Information

Exam Components: there are three components to this CBE including:

1. A written theory portion with two questions per course level (Theory I–IV). Students will be asked to analyze short passages of music and complete 4-part SATB (chorale-style) progressions.

2. A written aural skills portion with melodic and harmonic dictations per course level (Aural Skills I–IV).

3. An individual sight-singing and rhythm reading exam to be completed directly after the aural dictation exam with Dr. Graf in MU215. Students need to score a high pass (see below) on the dictation portion in order to move on to this portion of the exam.

You may work through as much of the exam as you are comfortable completing.

Time Limit: students will be given 50 minutes for the theory portion and then 50 minutes for the aural skills dictation portion of the exam. For students who proceed to the aural skills appointment, this portion will take approximately 15 minutes.

Materials: students must bring a pencil and an eraser to the exam (pens are not allowed). Blank staff paper will be available.

Passing Score: a score of “high pass” is required to validate a core theory/aural skills class. A “high pass” is defined as scoring an 80% or better in every major section of the exam. To receive credit for an aural skills core class, a student needs to score a “high pass” on both portions of the aural skills exam. A student will not proceed to the sight-singing and rhythm reading portion of the exam (part 3) if they do not score a “high pass” on the dictation exam (part 2). Mastery of some concepts but not others is not sufficient to exempt a core class.

Important: if a student passes one or more portions of the exam, it is their responsibility to adjust their course schedule and drop/add the corresponding course(s) either by setting up an appointment with UNT College of Music advising staff or via their student account (my.unt.edu).

Exam Results: Results will be sent to your UNT student email. If you pass one or more portions of the exam, then you are eligible to receive credit for that course. No grade will be recorded for the course on your permanent record; you will be asked to fill out the Credit-by-Exam Form so that the Registrar’s office can post credit for the course (a “Cr” will appear on your transcript). You must pay the credit-by-exam fee. More information can be found under the “Other Fees” section on the Explanation of Fees page. 

If you passed, then please contact Mrs. Laura Russell, the MHTE Administrative Coordinator (Laura.Russell@unt.edu) within one month of learning your results so that you can obtain the Credit-by-Exam Form that you will need to complete and send to the Registrar’s office.

If you did not pass the exam, then you will simply enroll in/remain enrolled in the course for which you were attempting to test out; your score on the CBE will not affect your future grade in the course.

Concepts & Skills Covered

Theory I (MUTH 1400)

• Analysis: label diatonic harmonies with appropriate Roman numeral labels and inversions. Identify non-chord tones (embellishing tones) and cadence labels.

• SATB Part Writing: notate four to five chords in SATB-style (chorale style) given a bass line with figured bass symbols. Provide the key and the Roman numeral labels and inversions.

Aural Skills I (MUTH 1410)

• Single-Line Melodic Dictation: notate a 6-measure melody (treble or bass clef). Students are given the starting pitch, rhythmic value, key signature, and time signature. There are 4 hearings (approximately 30–40 seconds in between hearings). The key will be tonicized at the beginning of each hearing.

• Harmonic Dictation: notate the soprano and bass line for approximately 8–9 chords (diatonic chords only, no modulation). Students are given the outer pitches, rhythmic value, key signature, and time signature. Provide a harmonic analysis of the progression using Roman numerals and inversions. There are 4 hearings of the progression played in keyboard style (approximately 30–40 seconds in between hearings). The key will be tonicized at the beginning of each hearing.

• Sight Singing & Rhythm Reading: melodies and rhythms will be similar to those featured in Chapters 1–10 of Music for Sight-Singing, 10^th (Rogers, Ottman).

Theory II (MUTH 1500)

• Analysis: label diatonic and secondary harmonies with appropriate Roman numeral labels and inversions. Analyze a modulation to a closely-related key using a pivot chord. Identify the phrase type, its individual parts, and cadences.

• SATB Part Writing: notate five to six diatonic and secondary chords in SATB-style (chorale style). Roman numerals are provided with no notated bass voice.

Aural Skills II (MUTH 1510)

• Two-part Melodic Dictation: transcribe two melodies (one in bass and one in treble clef) played simultaneously (approximately 4 measures). Students are given the starting pitches, rhythmic values, key signature, and time signature. There are 4 hearings (approximately 30–40 seconds in between hearings). The key will be tonicized at the beginning of each hearing.

• Harmonic Dictation: notate the soprano and bass line for approximately 8–9 chords, featuring diatonic chords, secondary chords, and a closely-related modulation. Provide a harmonic analysis of the progression using Roman numerals and inversions. Blanks are provided for the new key and where the pivot chord is located. There are 4 hearings of the progression played in keyboard style (approximately 30–40 seconds in between hearings). The key will be tonicized at the beginning of each hearing.

• Sight Singing & Rhythm Reading: melodies and rhythms will be similar to those featured in Chapters 10–16 of Music for Sight-Singing, 10^th ed. (Rogers, Ottman).

Theory III (MUTH 2400)

• Analysis: label diatonic and chromatic harmonies (including Neapolitan 6^th and Augmented 6^th chords), and an extended tonicization with appropriate Roman numeral labels and inversions. Label all cadences.

• SATB Part Writing: notate four to five diatonic and chromatic harmonies (including Neapolitan 6^th and Augmented 6^th chords) in SATB-style (chorale style). Roman numerals are provided with no notated bass voice.

Aural Skills III (MUTH 2410)

• Two-part Melodic Dictation: transcribe two melodies (one in bass and one in treble clef) played simultaneously (approximately 8 measures). The melody does not modulate, but there are a few chromatic pitches. Students are given the starting pitches, rhythmic values, key signature, and time signature. There are 5 hearings (approximately 30–40 seconds in between hearings). The key will be tonicized at the beginning of each hearing.

• Harmonic Dictation: notate the soprano and bass line for approximately 8–10 chords featuring diatonic chords, secondary chords, and chromatic chords (e.g., Neapolitan 6^th, Augmented 6ths, extended dominants). Provide a harmonic analysis of the progression using Roman numerals and inversions. There are 4 hearings of the progression played in keyboard style (approximately 30–40 seconds in between hearings). The key will be tonicized at the beginning of each hearing.

• Sight Singing & Rhythm Reading: melodies and rhythms will be similar to those featured in Chapters 16–20 of Music for Sight-Singing, 10^th ed. (Rogers, Ottman).

Theory IV (MUTH 2500)

• Analysis #1: using integer notation, provide the normal order (normal form) and prime form for several circled sets in a musical excerpt.

• Analysis #2: identify the six relationships (T_n, transposition and/or T_nI or I_n, inversion) between sets from analysis #1.

Aural Skills IV (MUTH 2510)

• Single-Line Melodic Dictation: notate a 5-measure melody (treble or bass clef) featuring a diatonic mode (e.g., Dorian) or a pentatonic collection. Students are given the starting pitch, rhythmic value, key signature, and time signature. There are 4 hearings (approximately 30–40 seconds in between hearings). The key will be tonicized at the beginning of each hearing.

• Harmonic Dictation: notate the soprano and bass line for approximately 10–11 chords featuring modulation to a distantly-related key via enharmonic reinterpretation. Provide a harmonic analysis of the progression using Roman numerals and inversions. There are 4 hearings of the progression played in keyboard style (approximately 30–40 seconds in between hearings). The key will be tonicized at the beginning of each hearing.

• Sight Singing & Rhythm Reading: melodies and rhythms will be similar to those featured in Chapters 20–21 of Music for Sight-Singing, 10^th ed. (Rogers, Ottman).

Explorations in Music I & II Credit-by-Exams (CBEs)

General Information

Exam Format: both CBEs for MUTH 1300 and 1350 are paper exams. You may work through as much of the exam as you are comfortable completing.

Time Limit: students will be given 50 minutes to complete each CBE.

Materials: students must bring a pencil and an eraser to the exam (pens are not allowed). Blank staff paper will be available.

Passing Grade: a score of “high pass” (80% or better) is required to validate these courses. Note that mastery of some concepts but not others is not sufficient to exempt one of these classes.

Important: if a student passes the exam, it is their responsibility to adjust their course schedule and drop/add the corresponding course(s) either by setting up an appointment with UNT College of Music advising staff or via their student account (my.unt.edu).

Exam Results: Results will be sent to your UNT student email. If you pass the exam, then you are eligible to receive credit for that course. No grade will be recorded for the course on your permanent record; you will be asked to fill out the Credit-by-Exam Form so that the Registrar’s office can post credit for the course (a “Cr” will appear on your transcript). You must pay the credit-by-exam fee. More information can be found under the “Other Fees” section on the Explanation of Fees webpage.

If you passed the exam, then please contact Mrs. Laura Russell, the MHTE Administrative Coordinator (Laura.Russell@unt.edu) within one month of learning your results so that you can obtain the Credit-by-Exam Form that you will need to complete and send to the Registrar’s office.

If you did not pass the exam, then you will simply enroll in/remain enrolled in the course for which you were attempting to test out; your score on the CBE will not affect your future grade in the course.

Concepts & Skills Covered

Explorations in Music I (MUTH 1300)

Students should expect to demonstrate the following skills:

Identification:

Notation:

• Scales in treble or bass clef using accidentals

• Ttriads or seventh chords on a staff

• A bass line featuring a progression by 4ths or 5ths

• Re-notating a given rhythm in a particular meter using correct bar lines, beaming, and converting tied notes to dotted notes

Explorations in Music II (MUTH 1350)

Students should expect to demonstrate the following skills:

Identification:

• Triads and seventh chords in root position and inversion

• Scales notated in treble or bass clef with accidentals (options include major, all varieties of minor, pentatonic, whole-tone, octatonic, and diatonic modes)

• The correct beaming of a rhythmic pattern in different meters

• The chords used in a Blues progression

• The key, cadence(s), non-harmonic tones, and phrase type of a short passage of music

Labeling:

• Nashville Number System and lead-sheet symbols to label chords

• Roman numerals to label harmonies in a short passage of music

Notation:

• • Scales in bass or treble clef using accidentals (options include major, all varieties of minor, pentatonic, whole-tone, octatonic, and diatonic modes)

Aural Identification:

• • Listen to an audio recording and answer questions about the meter and form 

FAQs

Q: Does UNT accept AP Music Theory credit?

A: No, UNT does not accept AP Music Theory credit. Undergraduate students may attempt to validate/exempt MUTH 1400/1410, 1500/1510, 2400/2410, and 2500/2510 by taking the Core Music Theory and Aural Skills CBEs.

Q: What if I made a 5 on the AP Theory exam but fail the credit by exam at UNT?

A: You will be required to enroll in Theory I (MUTH 1400) and Aural Skills I (MUTH 1410).

Q. What if I pass the Theory I & II CBEs and the Aural Skills I CBE but fail the Aural Skills II CBE?

A. You would be permitted to enroll in Theory III and Aural Skills II. In general, you may be ahead in theory classes and behind in aural skills (by up to one level, but not the other way around).

Q. What if I pass the Aural Skills I & II CBEs but only pass the Theory I CBE?

A. You would enroll in Theory II. You may not enroll in Aural Skills III until you have passed Theory II. See the previous answer beginning with “in general”.

Q: What if I pass the Music Explorations I CBE but not the Music Explorations II CBE?

A: You can enroll in Music Explorations II in the spring semester.

Q: If I fail the exam, will that impact my grade in the course?

A: No, the score you receive on the CBE will in no way impact your grade in the class.

Q: What if I have a scheduling conflict with the time of the exam?

A: Please contact the following music theory faculty BEFORE the exam for further instructions. For the Core Theory & Aural Skills CBEs, please contact Dr. Benjamin Graf (Benjamin.Graf@unt.edu) and for the Explorations in Music CBEs, please contact Dr. David Heetderks (David.Heetderks@unt.edu).

Other questions? Please contact the music theory coordinator, Dr. Gillian Robertson (Gillian.Robertson@unt.edu).