SW Herts Music Aptitude Test: A Parent's Guide to 11+ MAT Preparation in Watford

If your child is hoping for a music place at one of the seven SW Herts Consortium schools — Watford Grammar School for Boys, Watford Grammar School for Girls, Parmiter's School, Queens' School, Rickmansworth School, St Clement Danes School, or Croxley Danes School — the SW Herts Consortium Music Aptitude Test (MAT) is the gateway. At Music Gym in Watford, we help children prepare for both stages — building the listening skills and performance confidence they need to give themselves the best possible chance.

We have pupils past and present across all seven SW Herts Consortium schools — so we know exactly what it takes to get there.

Here's everything you need to know.

What is the SW Herts Music Aptitude Test?

The SW Herts Consortium Music Aptitude Test is a two-stage selection process used by a group of selective schools in Hertfordshire to award music places during secondary transfer. It tests natural musical ability — not grades, not theory knowledge — so any child with a good ear can genuinely do well with the right preparation.

No prior music theory knowledge is required. The test is designed to assess innate musical aptitude.

Stage 1: The Written Listening Test

Stage 1 is a 60-question multiple choice aural test lasting approximately 45 minutes. It is played on audio equipment in a school hall after school hours. Children listen and respond — there is no reading of music involved.

The test is divided into four sections:

Pitch (20 questions) Children listen to two sounds and decide whether the second is the same, higher, or lower than the first. Some pitches are less than a semitone apart, making careful listening essential.

Melody (10 questions) Children listen to two five-note tunes and decide if they are identical, or if one note has changed. If there is a change, they identify which of the five notes was different.

Rhythm (10 questions) Children listen to two four-beat patterns and determine whether they are the same or different. If different, they identify where the change occurs.

Texture (20 questions) Children listen to chords — notes played simultaneously — and decide how many notes are in each chord: two, three, or four.

What score do children need to progress?

The qualifying score varies each year and is not published in advance. Children who meet or exceed the first round qualifying score are invited to Stage 2. Results are published online via the parent portal, usually around midday on the results day.

Stage 2: The Performance Assessment

Children who progress from Stage 1 are invited to perform at the Watford School of Music during the school day. They perform a self-chosen piece — instrumental or vocal — lasting no more than three minutes.

The panel includes current and former Directors of Music from Consortium schools. The panel has no knowledge of which school the child is applying to.

Marks are awarded across three areas, each out of 15: Accuracy (15 marks), Musicality (15 marks), Musical communication (15 marks). Total: 45 marks.

The proficiency level of the piece is irrelevant — a Grade 1 piece performed with genuine musicality can outscore a technically harder piece played without feeling. The Stage 1 score is not added to the Stage 2 score. Offers are made on the basis of Stage 2 results alone.

Practical notes for Stage 2

• The piece must be no longer than three minutes
• Instruments should be tuned before arrival
• An acoustic piano and keyboard are available; pianists can choose which to use. Although a generic Casio keyboard is provided, if your child is more familiar with their own portable keyboard, they may bring it from home
• You cannot bring your own accompanist — only a school staff member can accompany your child. If you wish for a member of staff to accompany them, you must bring sheet music for that person
• Backing tracks can be played via Bluetooth from a phone or tablet
• Drums: an acoustic kit is provided; bring your own sticks — electronic kits are not available. Important: you must inform the Clerks upon registration when you arrive that your child requires use of the drum kit
• Guitar and bass players should bring their own amp and lead

How Music Gym Prepares Children for the MAT

At Music Gym, we work on both stages — and we start early.

For Stage 1, we train children's ears in exactly the skills being tested: pitch discrimination, melodic memory, rhythmic accuracy, and texture recognition. Many children find the Texture section the hardest — learning to hear how many notes are in a chord is something most people have never consciously done before. Regular focused listening work makes a real difference to a child's score.

For Stage 2, we help children select the right piece — not necessarily the hardest one they know, but the one they can perform with the most musicality and communication — and then we work on performing it, not just playing it. Stage fright is real, and rehearsing under performance conditions is one of the most valuable things we do.

We teach guitar, drums, piano/keyboard, and vocals, and our teachers are experienced working with children of all abilities, including those who are neurodivergent or who perform better in smaller, more focused settings.

Music Gym is a Rockschool Exam Centre and Yamaha Certified school, based at Meriden Community Centre, Watford — right in the heart of the area served by the SW Herts Consortium schools.

When to Start Preparing

The MAT typically takes place in early September each year, with registration opening in April and closing in June. That means if your child is in Year 5 and hoping to sit the test in Year 6, spring and summer of Year 5 is the ideal time to start.

August is too late. By the time the summer holidays arrive, there simply isn't enough time to build the listening skills that Stage 1 requires.

Children who begin listening work 6–12 months before the test consistently find Stage 1 less stressful and more manageable. For Stage 2, having a well-rehearsed piece that feels genuinely comfortable takes time — there's no substitute for regular practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my child need to be having lessons already? Not necessarily — but if they're not, now is a good time to start. Even a few months of focused instrumental or vocal tuition, combined with ear training, can make a significant difference.

Does my child need to read music? No. The Stage 1 test is entirely listening-based. For Stage 2, children can perform from memory, from sheet music, or with a backing track.

What if my child has additional needs? Special consideration is available — children can be allocated additional time for the Stage 1 test. Speak to the Consortium administration team when registering. At Music Gym, our teacher Aimee has a strong track record working with neurodivergent students and can tailor preparation accordingly.

My child plays an instrument not taught at Music Gym — can you still help? Yes. We can focus specifically on Stage 1 ear training regardless of instrument, and offer general performance coaching for Stage 2 even if we don't teach their specific instrument.

Get in Touch

If you're thinking about the SW Herts Music Aptitude Test for your child and want to know how Music Gym can help, we are happy to chat about your requirements.

Find out more about our 11+ MAT preparation programme at Music Gym.

📍 Meriden Community Centre, Watford WD25 9ET
🌐 musicgym.co.uk

We're a local, independent music school that has been serving families across Watford, Bushey, Abbots Langley, Kings Langley, and Croxley Green for over 15 years. We have pupils past and present across all seven SW Herts Consortium schools. We know the local schools, we know the test, and we know how to help children feel ready.

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E&OE — Information correct at time of publication. Test format, dates, and scoring are set by the SW Herts Consortium and may change. Please check the official SW Herts Consortium website for the latest details before your child sits the test.