Music Theory Tests

All students taking the TMTA theory tests must be registered as a Student Affiliate before registering for the theory tests. 

FALL TESTING DATE: November 8, 2025

• REGISTRATION DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 15
• $20 per student
• Testing is in-person at This Rock Baptist Church, 7025 Mid-Cities Blvd (in NRH)
• No late registrations will be accepted.
• Use this link:

SPRING TESTING DATE: February 7, 2026

• REGISTRATION DEADLINE: December 15
• $20 per student
• Testing is in-person at This Rock Baptist Church, 7025 Mid-Cities Blvd (in NRH)
• No late registrations will be accepted.
• Use this link: REGISTER FOR SPRING THEORY TESTING

The most recent rules regarding testing are as follows:

• Adult students are now eligible to participate in both theory tests. They must join Student Affiliate to test. 
• If a student testing in the TMTA Theory program for the first time does not pass the theory test level attempted, the teacher may choose to move the student to a lower test level for the next testing period. For example, if a new student is entered at Level 6 and the student fails the test, the teacher may choose to lower the student to an easier level such as Level 4 for the next testing period.
• Students who have earned a medal on the Level 9, 10, or 11 theory test may continue to test at the same level and still be eligible for other theory required Student Affiliate events with a passing score of 70 or above. Here are a few examples:
  1. A student who earned a Whitlock or Theory Achievement Medal on Level 9 last year may take and pass the Level 9 test again this year and through his/her senior year for SA eligibility.
  2. An 11th grade student who earned a Whitlock medal last year on the Level 10 test may take and pass the Level 10 test again this year and next year for SA eligibility.
  3. A 12th grade student who earned a Whitlock medal last year on the Level 11 test may take and pass the Level 11 test again this year for SA eligibility.

• Students may remain at the same test level until receiving a medal with the exception of those in Grades 10-12 who may continue to test at Level 9, 10, or 11 regardless of medal status.
• Students do not have a required minimum test level unless participating in another Student Affiliate event requiring theory testing. Please refer to the TMTA Handbook for more information.
• All students earning a 90 or higher on a TMTA SA theory test will earn a medal: Whitlock medal for at-grade level testing or Theory Achievement Medal for below-grade level testing.
• Keep encouraging students to aim for the Senior Awards!
• Bonus questions for levels 8-12 will no longer be a writing counts under notes and rests or a sight-reading question. They will be written questions.
• All the new 2023 changes can be found in the TMTA website or by using this link: http://bit.ly/TMTA23-24TheoryTestChanges

• Medals are awarded to students scoring 90 or above on a test taken at his/her grade level and state-graded. Students that do not take a test at their grade level will not receive a medal.
• Gold: 98-101 Silver: 94-97 Bronze: 90-93
• Certificates of Achievement are available for students that score 70 or above. Teachers are responsible for ordering them for their own students at www.tmta.org.
• Theory medals will be ordered by the theory chairman.  Certificates of Achievement must be ordered by teachers.
• Teacher’s Theory manuals are available to purchase at www.tmta.org under “Forms.”