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Exam practice

CSET: Music, Subtest I (226) practice test

Timed practice for CSET Music 226, set out in the board's own sections. Every answer comes with an explanation.

About the exam

CSET: Music, Subtest I (226) is a licensure test for music teachers, owned by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

This practice test covers creating and performing: theory, composition, conducting and ensembles, for California music teachers.

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Listening on this test

The listening questions use our own piano recordings. They cover finding errors against a printed score and judging a piano performance. Each error question plays a single melody. Performance questions judge tempo, balance, dynamics and articulation on the piano. Recognizing a style, period, instrument or voice by ear is not included. Intonation, blend, tone and diction are not included either.

The sections

Timing

Exam mode runs a clock of 1 hour 45 minutes for the whole practice test.

The full practice test holds 40 questions.

Study mode has no clock. It checks each answer as you go.

Sample questions

Sample 1

Which major key has the key signature F♯, C♯, G♯, and D♯?

  1. B major
  2. A major
  3. D major
  4. E major

The answer is D, E major.

E major has four sharps: F♯, C♯, G♯, and D♯. Sharps always enter the signature in this order.

Sample 2

The horns enter alone after a long rest in measure 20 of a band piece. How should the conductor give the cue?

  1. Point toward the horns on the beat they enter, with no earlier glance
  2. Mark the cue in the horn parts and give no gesture at the entrance
  3. Enlarge the beat for the whole band on the measure of the entrance
  4. Look at the horns early, then cue them on the preparatory beat

The answer is D, Look at the horns early, then cue them on the preparatory beat.

A cue works only if it arrives before the sound. An early look alerts the players, and the gesture on the preparation gives them the breath and the tempo. A gesture on the entrance beat is too late to help. A cue written in the part helps the count but gives no breath or tempo at the moment of entry. A larger pattern for everyone does not single out the horns.

Questions and answers

How long is the CSET Music 226 practice test?

Exam mode gives 1 hour 45 minutes for the whole practice test. It holds 40 questions. Study mode has no clock.

What sections does the CSET Music 226 practice test cover?

It follows the board's order: Creating and Performing.

Are the answers explained?

Yes. Each answer comes with an explanation of why it is correct.

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