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Proven Techniques to Avoid these 5 Common Mistakes On Theory Exams: Mistake #1: Mistake #2: Mistake #3: Mistake #4: Mistake #5: Not sure HOW to write an exam. Don't know WHERE to begin. Didn't UNDERSTAND the question. Get CONFUSED in rhythm questions. Forget to CHECK the examination after completion.
By
Glory St. Germain ARCT RMT MYCC UMTC and Shelagh McKibbon-URen RMT UMTC If a child cant learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn. ~ Ignacio Estrada
Shelagh and Glory
These Time Saving Exam Answer books provide you with easy and accurate marking.
Mistake #2: Don't know WHERE to begin. Before beginning the exam, take a blank piece of paper and write out the UMT Chart. This includes writing out the Circle of Fifths. Use this to check the Key Signature for the Major and minor keys when completing questions. Do NOT open the exam until the UMT Chart is written out. Remember to ask the Exam Moderator for a piece of blank paper.
Exam Tip #2: Use the UMT Map system to guarantee success. The UMT Map is a series of 4 worksheets designed to ensure that the Student has all Memory Joggers at their fingertips before beginning their exam. In the Ultimate Music Theory Certification Course, you will learn how to use the UMT Map system with your students.
On the last page of the exam should be a sheet with staff lines. If it is not there, ask the Exam Moderator for one. Write out the Key Signatures on this page for all staves. (Preparatory, Basic and Intermediate will need to know the Treble and Bass Key Signatures; Advanced will also need to know the Alto and Tenor C Clef Key Signatures.) Remind Students: 1) When writing an answer that uses a Key Signature, if the Key Signature is incorrect, then the entire question is marked as 0. Students must place ALL sharps or flats in the Key Signature correctly on the Staff. If even one sharp or flat is placed incorrectly, it affects the tonality of the scale or melody. 2) When a Key Signature is at the beginning of the question, it affects ALL notes in the question UNLESS another Key Signature is placed after a double bar line (or unless an accidental is used in a measure). A double bar line does not cancel a Key Signature - only another Key Signature cancels a Key Signature.
Mistake #3: Didn't UNDERSTAND the question. Read the instructions. This is so important we need to repeat it again and again, READ the instructions.
Exam Tip #3: Use the Double Check Method and the Double Do Method. Underline the key words that are specific to that question. If the question has more than one part, complete the question in the ORDER of the instructions, one step at a time. Double Check. Reread the question to be sure everything was completed and check ( ) each completed instruction off using your pencil. Double Do. When you finish the exam, use the Double Do Method - go back and do all the questions again. Use your extra pages and extra staff pages. If your second answer looks different from your first answer, Double Check! Read the instructions again. Which answer is correct? Be sure that the correct answer is written in the exam.
When using the Double Check and Double Do Methods, you are also developing life skills. We all complete tasks that require double checking to ensure it is 100% accurate. On an exam, students ARE allowed to underline and check off the instructions. The only things that are marked are the actual answers that have been written in the appropriate answer places.
Mistake #4: Get CONFUSED in rhythm questions. When adding rests, bar lines or Time Signatures to a given rhythm, analyze the question.
Exam Tip #4: Use the UMT innovative + and ~ symbols when completing rhythm questions. This guarantees understanding of pulse and rest placement.
Before beginning to write your answer, write the Basic Beat and Pulse below each measure in the question. When adding rests, use the Plus (+) sign to JOIN the Strong + weak or Medium + weak pluses and use the Tilde (~) sign to NOT join the weak ~ weak or weak ~ Medium pulses. Students are allowed to write scoops, the + and ~ symbols, the pulse and the Basic Beat (or Dotted Basic Beat for Compound Time) directly on their examination. This does not have to be erased after the exam is finished. The only thing that is marked is what is actually written IN the answer space.
Preparatory Exam Students are proud to complete their 1st practice exam.
Mistake #5: Forget to CHECK the examination after completion. Write a list of important things to check before beginning the exam and then be sure to check the exam before handing it in.
Exam Tip #5: Use the Check List before handing in your examination.
Check that ALL the questions are answered. The exam will be written on the front and back of each page. Do not leave any question unanswered. Check the Clef, Key Signature and Accidentals in each measure that may affect the notes. (Use the Circle of Fifths as a reference.) Check the technical degree names and their roman numerals. Check that you followed the Double Check Method for each instruction. Check that you followed the Double Do Method for each question. Check that all answers are written clearly and neatly. If the person marking has to guess at your answer, it will be marked as being incorrect. Check that you have written your Candidate Number on each page. Check the time! If you have time, Triple Do each question! Do not leave the examination room until the time is completed.
The UMT Exam Series includes Set #1 and Set #2 for each level (Preparatory, Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Rudiments). Each Exam Set includes 4 exams. The first few exams contain UMT Tips to remind students of important points and Memory Joggers. These Tips support a student by linking the concept with the question. Students are able to study as they are completing the first few exams. The following exams do not contain the UMT Tips, allowing students to complete exams as they would complete their actual examination.
The UMT Map Series includes 4 worksheets that support successful examination preparation and completion. By writing out their UMT Map before completing an examination, students are able to have their Memory Joggers and UMT Tips at their fingertips! No more second guessing a concept or worrying about having a memory blank. The UMT Map Series creates a confident student. A confident student will be successful!
Note: Learn more in the Ultimate Music Theory Certification Course. MASTER 17 TEACHING SKILLS LEARN NEURO-LINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING DEVELOP MARKETING STRATEGIES USE CREATIVE LESSON PLANS BECOME CERTIFIED