Proficiency and Placement Exams

All accepted students to the Master of Music in music production, technology, and innovation must take placement exams in engineering and Ableton, and proficiencies exams in Pro Tools and Analog Audio. 

Proficiency tests in ProTools and Analog Audio:

Proficiency tests for Pro Tools and Analog Audio will be conducted in May and July. We highly encourage students to participate in the May sessions to gauge their proficiency levels. This allows them to have an initial assessment and provides an opportunity for improvement before the July exams, if needed.

The exam schedule is as follows:

May Dates

Pro Tools Proficiency 1:

  • May 15 at 4:00 p.m. CET / 10:00 a.m. ET
  • May 16 at 10:00 a.m. CET / 4:00 a.m. ET

Engineering Placement & Analog Proficiency 1*

  • May 15 at 6:00 p.m. CET / 12:00 p.m. ET
  • May 16 at 12:00 p.m. CET / 6:00 a.m. ET

July Dates

Pro Tools Proficiency 2:

  • Thursday, July 11 at 4:00 p.m. CET / 10:00 a.m. ET
  • Friday, July 12 at 10:00 a.m. CET / 4:00 a.m. ET

Engineering Placement and Analog Proficiency 2*

  • Thursday, July 11 at 6:00 p.m. CET / 12:00 p.m. ET
  • Friday, July 12 at 12:00 p.m. CET / 6:00 a.m. ET

Placement tests in Engineering and Ableton 

Engineering and Ableton placement exams are also scheduled to evaluate your level of experience and knowledge, facilitating our placement of you in a section that aligns with your skills.

The exam schedule is as follows:

 May Dates:

  • Engineering Placement and Analog Proficiency 1:
    • May 15 at 6:00 p.m. CET
    • May 16 at 12:00 p.m. CET

July Dates:

  • Engineering Placement and Analog Proficiency 2:
    • Thursday, July 11 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. CET
    • Friday, July 12 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. CET
  • Ableton Placement 2:
    • Thursday, July 11 at 8:00 p.m. CET
    • Friday, July 12 at 2:00 p.m. CET

Exam Registration:

Please secure your spot for the exams on your preferred date by completing the registration form. Once registered, you will receive an email confirmation containing the Zoom links for your scheduled session. Please complete the registration form by the exam date.

May Sign Up Form 

July Sign Up Form

What to expect from the exams

  • All exams will be conducted via Zoom and will last for one hour.
  • Please ensure your camera is on during the exam and take the exams from a quiet room.
  • We recommend that you complete the exam in a quiet place with a secure internet connection.
  • Please note that the analog audio proficiency exam is part of the engineering placement exam, so you only have to take one exam for both purposes.
  • Berklee Valencia faculty members will proctor the exams.
  • For those who pass the proficiency exams, an in-person five-minute oral confirmation exam will be conducted during orientation week in September.

How to prepare 

Keeping this in mind, we're providing you with a list of resources to help you prepare for the exams. Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and it's not intended as an endorsement of the courses listed.

Explore resources

How to Request Accommodations

If you would like to request accommodations based on a disability for the placement and proficiencies exams, please contact the Office of Accessibility Resources for Students by emailing accessibilityresources@berklee.edu or calling 617-747-2387.