Test Design and 
Test Framework

Field 212: Music

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The test design below describes general test information. The framework that follows is a detailed outline that explains the knowledge and skills that this test measures.

Test Design

Format Computer-based test (CBT)
Number of Questions 100 multiple-choice questions
Time* 3 hours, 15 minutes
Passing Score 240

*Does not include 15-minute CBT tutorial

Test Framework

Pie chart of approximate test weighting outlined in the table below.



Test Subarea Number of Test Objectives Number of Scorable Items Number of Non-Scorable Items subarea weight as percent of total test score
Subarea 1—Responding: Listening Skills 5 18 5 22 percent
Subarea 2—Music Theory: Musical Elements and Structures 4 13 3 17 percent
Subarea 3—Creating and Performing Music: Composing, Singing, Playing and Conducting 4 14 3 17 percent
Subarea 4—Connecting: Music History, Culture, and Context 5 18 5 22 percent
Subarea 5—Content Specific Pedagogy: Music Education 5 17 4 22 percent
Totals 23 80 20 100 percent

Subarea 1—Responding: Listening Skills

Objective 0001—Understand the elements of melody, harmony, and form in recorded music.

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Objective 0002—Understand the elements of rhythm and expressive qualities in recorded music.

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Objective 0003—Understand the historical and cultural characteristics of recorded music.

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Objective 0004—Understand the elements of timbre in recorded music.

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Objective 0005—Detect errors in a recorded musical performance.

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Subarea 2—Music Theory: Musical Elements and Structures

Objective 0006—Understand music notation and vocabulary.

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Objective 0007—Understand melodic elements of music.

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Objective 0008—Understand harmonic elements of music.

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Objective 0009—Understand the forms, rhythmic structures, and styles of music.

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Subarea 3—Creating and Performing Music: Composing, Singing, Playing and Conducting

Objective 0010—Understand techniques for creating music.

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Objective 0011—Understand techniques for performing vocal music.

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Objective 0012—Understand techniques for performing instrumental music

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Objective 0013—Understand techniques for rehearsing and conducting.

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Subarea 4—Connecting: Music History, Culture, and Context

Objective 0014—Understand the characteristics, contexts, composers, and works of Western art music, including those from underrepresented groups and major historical periods.

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Objective 0015—Understand the characteristics and contexts of popular, folk, and traditional music of the United States.

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Objective 0016—Understand the characteristics and contexts of world music.

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Objective 0017—Understand the relationship between technological advances in music and the evolution of music.

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Objective 0018—Understand the roles and functions of music as an expressive medium.

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Subarea 5—Content Specific Pedagogy: Music Education

Objective 0019—Understand appropriate content and pedagogical methodologies for elementary school music classes (PreK–grade 5).

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Objective 0020—Understand appropriate content and pedagogical methodologies for middle school/secondary music classes (grades 6–12).

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Objective 0021—Understand appropriate methods and tools for assessing students in music programs.

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Objective 0022—Understand aesthetic principles, evaluation criteria, and methods for connecting various types of musical knowledge and skills within and across the arts and other areas of the curriculum.

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Objective 0023—Apply knowledge and skills appropriate to teaching music to diverse student populations, including students with special needs and gifted students.

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