Proficiency Assessment and Exams

Entering Student Proficiency Assessment (ESPA)

The proficiency assessment enables Berklee to determine whether advanced levels of arranging, harmony, and ear training are right for you and to place you in classes with students of similar musical knowledge. All first-semester students will take an entering student proficiency assessment. It is important to remember that you cannot "pass or fail" the assessment and that no grade will be assigned to it.

The ESPA is delivered in two phases. An online ear training assessment is available through the college's student portal. All students are required to complete the online ear training assessment. The online ear training portion of the assessment can be completed in about 20 minutes time. All students take a comprehensive written assessment once they arrive on campus. The on-campus written assessment takes about two hours to complete and is scheduled during orientation week.

English Proficiency Exam

All non-native English speakers are required to take the English proficiency exam, which is administered during orientation week.

The English proficiency exam is not required for native English speakers.

Traditional Harmony and Counterpoint Exam (optional)

This exam offers you the opportunity to receive credit for Traditional Harmony (CM-211 and CM-212), provided that you demonstrate strong comprehension of the subject matter. Before taking the Traditional Harmony and Counterpoint exam, you need to pick up an outline of test materials from the Professional Writing Center.

If you successfully test out of Traditional Harmony and Counterpoint and you are registered for either CM-211 or CP-211, then you will need to drop the course from your schedule by the add/drop deadline. Most students complete this credit by exam in their second or later semester on campus.

For answers to questions about the Traditional Harmony and Counterpoint exam, contact the Composition Department (login required).

Introduction to Music Technology Exam

This exam offers you the opportunity to get credit by exam for MTEC-111 Introduction to Music Technology, a required course for all degree and diploma students, provided that you demonstrate strong knowledge of the subject matter. 

If you successfully test out of MTEC-111, you will earn credit by exam (CBX). Then you may be placed in a second-level music technology course, such as MTEC-213 Producing Music with Ableton Live or MTEC-214 Producing Music with Logic Pro. If you do not test out, you will be placed in a section of MTEC-111.

View more details of the exam (login required).

How to Request Accommodations

If you would like to request accommodations based on a disability for the ESPA or other placement exams, please contact the Office of Accessibility Resources for Students by emailing accessibilityresources@berklee.edu or calling 617-747-2387.

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