Eligibility:
- KMTA Students must be enrolled in Student Affiliate before they register for the TMTA SA theory test.
- KMTA Students in grades 1-12 may participate.
- Teachers may not enroll students who are no longer part of their studios, students of other teachers or on behalf of other teachers, etc.
- All teachers should download, read and review the Theory Section of the TMTA handbook before enrolling students. The handbook is in the members resources on the TMTA website.
- Level requirements for participation in TMTA state level events are located in the TMTA Handbook theory section. Please read these requirements carefully if you are entering a student in one of these events.
- A passing score is 70 at all levels.
Testing Levels
1. Students may test at their school grade level or any test level below school grade.
2. Students may retest at the same level until they score a 90 or above. Once a student earns a 90 or above (at grade level or below grade level), he/she must advance to the next test level 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 may not take the test at grade levels higher than their school grade.
3. No student may test on two levels during the same testing period. For example, a student may not enroll for the 4th and 5th grade test in the fall test period.
4. Only KMTA Student Affiliates may take the KMTA sponsored test; if a teacher is a member of multiple local associations, Student Affiliate fees must be paid through KMTA in order for students to participate.
General Reminders: TMTA testing procedure allows 2 hours for testing levels 1-8 and 3 hours for testing levels 9-12.
- If a student arrives after the designated time for the test to begin, the schedule will not be adjusted. The test will conclude at the scheduled conclusion time.
- If the ear training portion of the test has begun or has been completed, it will NOT be repeated, nor will examples or sections be repeated. This applies to late students, students in the restroom at the time of ear training, etc.
- If a student finishes before the allotted time, he may be escorted to the waiting room to wait for parents.
Registration: To enroll students, teachers must complete the following steps by the deadlines listed in this handbook:
- Enroll students in Student Affiliate (see Student Affiliate section of Handbook).
- Enroll students for the theory test online in the KMTA website.
- Pay the fees. The enrollment fee is $16.00 per student. If a student takes the fall test and elects to retest in February, the fee for the second test is also $16.00. Payments may be made online or by check made out to KMTA and delivered to the chairman either by mail or dropped off in the box on the front porch.
Deadlines:
Fall Enrollment: September 28 8:00 PM - Deadline for online registrations and payments (payments must be received by this deadline)
Spring Enrollment: December 26 8:00 PM
Out of Region Test:
Date: Sunday, February 2 on Zoom
Teachers should email the chairman by November 1 if they are planning to enter students in the out of region test. There will be an additional cost for the out of region test to cover shipping costs.
Whitlock Medals: Only students who test on their grade level are eligible for Whitlock Medals and Awards.
Score Medal Awarded
98-100 Gold
94-97 Silver
90-93 Bronze
Theory Acheivement Medals- Students who test below grade level are eligible for Theory Acheivement Medals and Awards.
90-101 Instrumentalist
Medal fees are included in the enrollment fee. No additional money will be collected.
Please see the TMTA handbook theory section for information about multi year participation awards.
Make-up Tests: Make-up tests will not be given with one exception: It will be given only if a student is required to pass the theory test in order to participate in another Student Affiliate activity or award program. The teacher requesting a make-up test must explain the Student Affiliate activity or award program.
1. Make-up tests will be given in the spring.
2. Teachers must send a written request to the theory test chairman at least one month before the test.
3. The teachers requesting the make-up test will comprise the make-up test committee. They will organize and administer the test, following the directions and guidelines set by the Theory Chairman.
4. The completed tests and testing materials will be delivered to the home of the Theory Chairman by 9:00 pm on the Tuesday immediately following the test.
Teachers who enter students in this event are required to participate in the administration of the tests or provide a substitute who is a member of KMTA. If a substitute is not provided, the offending teacher will be fined $150.00.
Out of Region Tests will be given in the spring. Please inform the chairman by email of any out of state students intending to take the out of region theory test by November 1.
Special Needs/Accommodations:
TMTA offers accommodations to students with special needs. Please note the following:
1. A written request for special needs accommodations and corresponding professional documentation (i.e. IEP, psychologist’s report, etc.) must be received by the Chariman no later than 3 weeks prior to the testing date. Failure to abide by this deadline will result in the student taking the test without accommodations.
2. The teacher requesting special needs accommodations may be required to work additional days or work shifts, according to the student’s needs and the requests of the Chairmen.
3. KMTA will take into consideration the special needs accommodations requested; KMTA is not required to adhere to specific requests made by teachers although we’ll do our best to comply - the Chairman will make the final determination regarding accommodations.
4. Discussion regarding special needs diagnoses and accommodations should be kept confidential.
5. It is the responsibility of the student’s local teacher to correspond with the local Theory Chairman; at no time should the student’s parents contact the Theory Chairmen or TMTA personnel regarding the theory test or accommodations. Teachers are to refrain from contacting TMTA regarding the Theory Test. Questions and/or concerns are to be directed to the local Chairmen.
6. Please be mindful that although a student may receive specific accommodations in public school, accommodations may not be needed (or may be different) in this testing environment.
