Music entrance exam at the National University: What they evaluate and how to prepare you
For Instrumental Music and Music at UNAL, general examination isn't enough: the specific test with an disposal instrument weighs most of them. We explain to you what each part assesses.
To get into Music or Instrumental Music at Universidad Nacional de Colombia, headquarters of Bogotá, you have two things: the general entrance examination, as with any aspirant, and a specific music test at the Conservatory. At the most recent call we have reviewed (2026), the general examination weighed 30% and the specific test 70% and within this instrument test was abolishment.
Translated: The music note decides about everything, and the university itself warns that applicants have to have an "extensive musical preparation." Here we tell you what each part assesses and how to organize your production with time.
To sum up
- At the most recent call we reviewed (2026), admission to music at UNAL combined general examination (30%) and specific test (70%) and percentages may change.
- The instrument's test is disposal and the repertoire and technical studies are published in PDF for each period.
- The Test of Theory, Audition and Reading has a written part of harmony and dictated and an oral reading at first glance that isn't with your instrument.
- The Music program adds a specialty test as emphasized: Composition, Direction, Jazz or Research in Instrumental Pedagogics.
- The Conservatory has a preparatory program, as part of its Basic Musical Studies, for young people about 15 to 21 years old.
How UNAL's music admission works
UNAL has two pregrades of music in Bogotá, both at the Conservatorio de Música at the Facultad de Artes. Music offers an emphasis on Composition, Direction, Jazz and Research in Instrumental Pedagogics. Instrumental Music focused on training as an interpreter of your instrument. Both share the same logic: general examination more specific proof.
| Componente | Peso | What does that mean? |
|---|---|---|
| General examination of admission | 30% of total | The same examination as those applying for any UNAL race. |
| Specific Test | 70% of total | It appears at the Conservatory and includes instrument and Theory, Audition and Reading. |
| Test of instrument | 70% of the specific and disposal | Repertoire and technical studies published in PDF for each period. |
| Theory, Audition and Reading | 30% of the specific | Part A and part B orally, before jury in Bogotá. |
Do the count: with these percentages, the instrument represented about half of your total score (70% of 70%) and I could leave you out. That's why the production starts with your instrument but doesn't end there.
The general review and dates
The general exam is the same for all races. It weighs less than the music test, but a good result gives you space when competition is closed. Check the aspirant's guide for areas that are evaluating and practised with time and do not leave them for the last week because you are focused on the instrument.
The UNAL generally opens two admission processes a year but confirms at each call if the music programs are at the offer of the period that interested you. To reference, for 2027-1 period the general examination was submitted on September 20, 2026 and the publication of results was announced for October 9, 2026.
Maybe you read that by 2027-1 UNAL admitted only with the Know 11 in some programs. According to what we reviewed, that modality applied to regional headquarters and special programs and, in Bogotá, only to Fonoaudiology and Occupational Therapy; music held the examination and the specific test. Check them at the call that currently existed before making plans.
The instrument test: Repertoire and technical studies
It's at the heart of the specific test. For each period, the Conservatory publishes, in PDF archives by instrument, the repertoire and technical studies that you have to propose. Download them as soon as they come out: they tell you exactly what works and what level they are expected and there's no way to improvise them in a few weeks.
How to prepare
- Read your instrument's list with your teacher and, if there are options, select works that show your actual level, and not those that most impress on paper.
- He works scales, arpegtios and studies every day: his technique can be seen from his first compas.
- Rig the repertoire with months of advance, so that there's time to mature and not just to read it.
- Do simulated auditions: play with and without repeat with people other than your family.
- Be high and listen as if you were a jury: tuning, pulse, sound and frying.
- Check with the instructiva the practical details of your instrument, as accompaniment or scores for the jury.
how to choose and prepare Repertoire for Hearing We have been looking at how to organize works and studies by instrument families.
Theory, Audition and Reading: The Most surprising Part
Many candidates come strong at the instrument and loose here. At the revised call, this test had two parts:
| Parte | Format | What's his assessment? |
|---|---|---|
| A. Written | Written examination | Tonality and mode, chords, harmonic progression, harmonic analysis, melodic dictation and dictation of harmonic intervals. |
| B. Oral | Before Jury, in Bogotá | A first-glance reading that isn't performed with your instrument. |
What to practice for the written part
- Recognize the tone and mode of a fragment from the armor, accidental and sensitive minor's alterations.
- Build and name triads in your investments and seventh chords.
- Following progress and analysis with grades (I, IV, V7, ii, vi), including cadences.
- Melodic dictation: starts with four-step phrases in simple tones and sees lengthening.
- A dictated harmonic interval: two notes that sound at time. If you still confuse third and second, review what's a musical interval and train them every day.
Reading at first glance, without your instrument
Since this part isn't with your instrument, what's best for you to train rhythmic and solpic reading with new material every day: first look at rough armor, compas and rhythms, mark your pulse and stop at an error. We have the method at rhythmic and melodic reading for the admissions test..
Music or Instrumental Music: The Test of Specialty
If you are presenting to Music, and above, you have a specialist test as you select. Each emphasis evaluates different things and the details are in the call: read them months earlier, and you are currently registered.
- If your goal is to play, be a pianist, a violinist, a guitarist or a trumpist, Instrumental Music is the natural path.
- If she calls you to create, check Composition.
- If you look at the head of chores, gangs or orchestras, check direction.
- If you come from improvisation and modern harmony, check Jazz.
- If you are interested in research how an instrument is taught and learned, check Research in Instrumental Pedagogics.
To introduce you to the program that really matches what you do today often results better than to bet on the one that sounds more prestigious.
A Realist Preparation Plan
The level requested isn't built in a month. If you're at ten or eleven, the ideal thing is to start with a year or more in advance and distribute time between instrument and theory:
| Before Test | Instrumento | Theory, listening and reading |
|---|---|---|
| 12 to 9 months | Daily technique: scales, artigios and studies. | Complete grammar: tnalities, intervals, scales, triades and septists. |
| 9 to 6 months | Rig the published repertoire or works of similar level while you leave. | Harmony: progrestions, cadences and analysis with degrees and short melodic dictation. |
| 6 to 3 months | Final Repertoire and First Auditions before Public. | A feature of harmonic intervals, longer melodies and daily reading. |
| Last month | Play as a run, record and simulate your audition. | Timed simulations from the written and read part to another person. |
The Preparatory Programme for the Conservatory
UNAL has its own choice: [Program of Basic Musical Studies]](https://artes.bogota.unal.edu.co/diplomados-y-cursos/programa-de-estudios-b%C3%A1sicos-musicales) The Conservatory, which includes a Preparatory Programme for undergraduate care, designed for young people about 15 to 21 years old. To get inside an aptitude and knowledge test is also presented.
Special classes
If you prefer a plan to suit your suit, A medio tono you can prepare [music theory]](/clases/teoria-musical) and harmony, solpus and dictated, and your instrument with teachers evaluated, in virtual classes or at home in Bogotá. We tell you how in [preparing for music admissions tests]](/preuniversitario-musica). No preparations secure a quota but will allow you to come with a plan. For full step step, follow the guide how to prepare for the music admittance test.
Frequently asked questions
Can you get into music at National University without knowing theories?
In practice it's very difficult. The Test of Theory, Audition and Reading includes harmony, analysis and dictated, and the university calls for an extensive musical preparation. If you play well but do not read fluency and you know harmony, start with them as soon as possible.
What if I don't approve of an instrument test?
The revised call was an abolishment: it does not leave you out of the process of that period, even if it goes well with anything else. That's why we have to put forward a repertoire that really dominates, even with nerves.
Do we have a first-glance reading with my instrument?
No. At the revised call, the oral part of reading at first glance was not performed with your instrument and was presented before a jury in Bogotá. Check the current instructiva how exactly and train rhythmic and atoning reading.
Can I get into the Conservatory's Preparatory Program for a race?
We do not find this. The preparatory program is a training program and as far as we review admission to undergraduate care, we decide in the formal UNAL process with a general examination and specific proof.
How often does UNAL open up admissions for music?
The university generally does two admission processes a year but that doesn't mean that music programs are offered at both. Check out the offer of each call at the admissions site before organizing your calendar.