ESPA Guide

Created on Feb 15, 2023
Updated on June 20, 2024

Created by Clara Chan - Berklee Class of 2014 (Piano, Music Ed)

Background (Source)

ESPA stands for: Entering Student Proficiency Assessment.
All B.Mus. and Diploma Berklee students need to sit these exams. B.A and BOCO students do not sit the ESPA.
They are to place you in the correct core classes, and helps build your first semester schedule. It's so that you'll be placed in classes with a cohort of a similar ability.
These are not pass/fail exams. They are NOT graded.
Once you begin a section, you must complete it. But you do not have to complete all components at once.
After the first day of class, you can always speak to your teacher and adjust your class level if you feel you've been misplaced. You'll be evaluated by the teacher on the first day of class anyway.(Source)
If you test out of a class, you get placed into the next leveled class. You do not need to pay tuition for the classes that you skip.

What to Study - In General

Berklee doesn't release much regarding the content of the exams.
But you can more or less use the syllabus of the class(es) you want to test out of as a guide. After all, they'll want you to know the exact same info before they place you into a higher leveled class.
Their recommended reading list is long. I've linked to the official textbooks that the corresponding class uses in the section below. That's what I recommend you study from.
If you'd like a more directed approach towards Ear Training, you can take my course here, or you can book a private lesson with me here.

Timeline (Source)

It's typically due 1-1.5 months before orientation starts.

For students entering in September 2024, your ESPA is now available through Canvas. It is due on July 15.

Components (Source)

Mandatory components are: Ear Training, Harmony 1, Writing Skills, Music Technology.
Optional components are: Harmony 2, Arranging 1, Harmony 3.

Ear Training component test details (Source)

Multiple choice (For example, a rhythm is played three times, and click the one you hear)
You can only listen to each example three times. You cannot control the player (you can't press pause)
Headphones are necessary
This test is 20 minutes long.
Try to take only 1 minute per question
Mostly transcription questions.
It's possible to work through placement issues when you arrive in the fall. Speak to your instructor.

Harmony / Writing Skills component test details (Source)

Harmony 1 is also knows as Music Application & Theory at Berklee.
Format of the test can differ slightly from ear training. Some questions can be multiple choice (click the correct answer). Some questions can require a short form answer (type the answer into the box).
The harmony 1 test is open for 115 minutes, and most people take less than 60 minutes.
The writing skills test is open for about an hour, but most people take less than that.
Harmony 2 and Harmony 3 can each be done in around an hour.
The score gives you an initial placement. When you arrive in the fall you can get the option to re-test if you'd like.
If you're advanced placed, you're asked to take the prerequisite level final exam during the first quarter, and pass it with a B.

Which class will you be placed in based on your score? (Source) [this is based on anecdotal information; it's not official]

Harmony 1, 2, 3 and Arranging 1: around 70% or higher will test you out of the class.
Writing Skills is correlated with the Harmony and Arranging tests.
MTEC-111: 40/50 questions correct, or 80% will test you out of the class.
Ear Training is one test, so the class you get into depends on your score. ET1: 0%-60%. ET2: 60%-75%. ET3: 75%-90%. ET4: 90%-100.
You'll find out what classes you've been officially placed into when you get your schedule at the end of orientation week. And you can always talk to your professor if you feel you've been misplaced.

How do I take the test? Check my scores?

To take the test, go to your portal. You'll need to set up your Berklee email / OnePass. Here's a link.
To check your scores, click here. [Edit (June 20 2024): Unfortunately the capability to see your scores has been disabled. You won't know what class you test into until you get your official schedule during orientation!]

Ear Training 1 (2 credits) - What to Study (Source and source)

Simple melodies and harmonies (triads) in major keys, on moveable do.
V7 chords, Vsus4.
It'll be to your advantage if you're comfortable with conducting. It helps with dictations for the test, and will serve as a foundation for ET2, ET3 and ET4.
Basic intervals, singing and identifying them.
Simple transposition
Diatonic trichords and tetrachords.
4/4, 2/4, 3/4 meters.
Melodies in C, F, G, Bb and D, in both treble and bass clefs. And also the diatonic intervals from those keys.
Transposing from those keys.
You should aim to be able to transcribe any of the above, as well as be able to separately aurally identify any of the above.

Ear Training 2 (2 credits) - What to Study (Source and source)

All of the above, plus:
Conducting in 6/8 and 12/8
Thirds
tetrachords in cycle 5
Natural minor, jazz melodic minor and mixed minor harmony
Major 7th chords, minor 7th chords, VII-7b5 and V7sus4, Aug 2nd interval
Swing feel
More major keys
Voice leading
Cut time
Syncopation
You should aim to be able to transcribe any of the above, as well as be able to separately aurally identify any of the above.

Music Application and Theory (4 credits) [this is basically harmony 1] - What to Study (Source and source)

MTEC 111 Introduction to Music Technology - General Info (Source [login required])

50 multiple-choice questions to attempt within 50 minutes. You must get 40 correct answers to pass the exam.
If you fail the test, you must take MTEC-111 in order to graduate.
Test can only be attempted once. No exceptions.
Officially, a study guide is not provided, as "we expect students to pass the test only if they are already familiar with music technology and have retained the knowledge required to achieve a passing score".
Unofficial exam notes created by a current Berklee student can be found here. Created by Autumn Nelson, uploaded by Izzi Guzman.

Ear Training 3, Ear Training 4, Harmony 2, Harmony 3, Harmony 4 coming soon!

Disclaimer: While every effort is made to ensure accurate information, no guarantee is given nor responsibility taken for errors or omissions.