GACE® Music (P–12) (723)
Practice Test
Comprehensive preparation for prospective pre-K through 12th grade music teachers in Georgia. Four testlets — 304 Aural Analysis Skills (30q, 45 min, $42.50), 305 Composition and Music Theory (20q, 30 min, $42.50), 306 Music Education and Performance (30q, 45 min, $42.50), and 307 Music History and Culture (20q, 30 min, $42.50). Combined: 100 questions, 2.5 hours, $169.00. Administered by Evaluation Systems of Pearson for GaPSC. Passing score: 220.
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Get Free Access →See Premium PlansPrimary source: GACE 723 official test page at gace.es.pearson.com/test/723 (Evaluation Systems of Pearson). Testlet codes and fees verified against the official GACE Assessment Fee Schedule (PDF). Verify current requirements at gapsc.com.
GACE Music (P–12) (723): Test at a Glance
Here’s a quick overview of the exam. Testlets 304 and 306 each have 30 questions and 45 minutes; Testlets 305 and 307 each have 20 questions and 30 minutes.
About the GACE Music (P–12) (723)
Here’s what you need to know before you register.
The GACE Music (P–12) exam is for individuals seeking admission to an educator preparation program, initial certification in Georgia, or qualification to teach music from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in Georgia public schools. It is administered through Evaluation Systems of Pearson on behalf of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC).
The exam is made up of four testlets, which you can take together in one session or separately. The testlets are not equal in size: Testlets 304 (Aural Analysis Skills) and 306 (Music Education and Performance) each have 30 questions and a 45-minute time limit. Testlets 305 (Composition and Music Theory) and 307 (Music History and Culture) each have 20 questions and a 30-minute time limit. All four testlets cost the same — $42.50 each individually or $169.00 for all four combined (which includes a $25 registration fee and a $28 test center fee).
Testlet 304 (Aural Analysis Skills) is the most distinctive testlet on the exam. It requires you to listen to recorded music excerpts through headphones provided at the testing center and answer questions based on what you hear. You will analyze melodic, harmonic, rhythmic, and expressive features; identify genres, instrumentation, and vocal and instrumental timbres; and detect performance inaccuracies using a printed score. No other testlet on the GACE Music exam involves audio.
To pass, you need a scaled score of 220 on a scale of 100–300. There is no penalty for wrong answers. To register, create a GaPSC MyPSC account at mypsc.gapsc.org, then create an Evaluation Systems GACE testing account at gace.es.pearson.com.
Four Testlets at a Glance
Testlets 304 and 306 each have 30 questions and 45 minutes. Testlets 305 and 307 each have 20 questions and 30 minutes. All four cost $42.50 individually.
GACE Music (P–12) (723) Exam Outline
Below you’ll find the content areas covered in each testlet. Testlet codes and fees are verified from the official GACE Assessment Fee Schedule. Content objectives are drawn from the GACE 723 Study Guide.
- Analyze melodic features such as scales, tonal centers, intervals, phrasing, contour, and ornamentation
- Examine harmonic elements including chord qualities, harmonic progressions, cadences, intervals, and non-chord tones
- Evaluate rhythmic, metric, and tempo-related characteristics in recorded music
- Analyze elements of musical form and textural organization
- Identify musical genres and stylistic traits from diverse cultures and historical periods
- Examine instrumentation and stylistic features associated with music from various cultural and historical contexts
- Identify vocal timbres and the distinguishing features of choral ensembles and small vocal groups
- Identify instrumental timbres and the characteristics of different types of instrumental ensembles
- Analyze expressive components such as dynamics, articulation, tempo changes, and stylistic nuances
- Detect performance inaccuracies using a printed score as reference
- Identify scales, modes, tonal centers, melodic intervals, and key signatures in written or recorded music
- Recognize harmonic intervals, chord qualities, and common chord types
- Interpret note values, rests, time signatures, and other elements affecting musical duration and meter
- Analyze melodic construction, including phrase shapes, contour, and melodic devices
- Evaluate harmonic functions such as cadences, progressions, and the use of non-chord tones
- Analyze rhythmic features including meter, rhythmic patterns, and stylistic rhythmic devices
- Identify pitches and key signatures accurately using a given clef
- Interpret musical symbols and terminology
- Demonstrate understanding of musical forms, textures, stylistic characteristics, and compositional techniques
- Apply principles of arranging and composing for different voices, instruments, and ensemble types
- Demonstrate knowledge of improvisational methods and approaches in various musical contexts
- Use music technology to create or modify musical works
- Demonstrate knowledge of major pedagogical approaches in music education and how they guide instructional decision-making
- Plan and sequence developmentally appropriate music-learning activities for diverse classroom settings
- Demonstrate techniques for teaching and performing on general classroom instruments and basic accompanying instruments
- Use music technology tools for listening, creating, recording, and performing, with awareness of ethical and instructional considerations
- Apply formative and summative assessment methods to evaluate student progress and inform future instruction
- Explain connections between music, other arts disciplines, varied contexts, and everyday life experiences
- Identify vocal ranges, classifications, and ensemble types, and apply healthy vocal production techniques
- Recognize characteristics of string, wind, brass, percussion, and keyboard instruments and apply foundational performance techniques
- Address common performance issues in vocal and instrumental ensembles and apply corrective strategies
- Demonstrate knowledge of conducting patterns, expressive gestures, and cueing techniques for ensemble leadership
- Analyze and interpret musical scores to identify potential performance challenges and support ensemble preparation
- Select appropriate repertoire for a variety of ensembles, classes, and purposes while observing copyright and publication laws
- Demonstrate understanding of musical styles, genres, instrumentation, performance practices, and cross-cultural influences found in music from different historical eras and world traditions
- Identify major composers, influential musicians, and representative repertoire from a wide range of cultures and historical periods
- Compare and contrast musical characteristics across genres, cultures, and stylistic periods
- Explain the various social, cultural, technological, and historical factors that shape how music is created, used, and valued in society
High-Priority Topics by Testlet
Use this section to focus your study time. These are the concepts that show up most often in each testlet.
Registration, Test Day & Scoring
Here’s what to expect when you register, show up on test day, and receive your scores.
Registration & Fees
Scoring
Test Day
Standards Alignment
Who Needs the GACE Music (P–12) (723)?
Find out if this is the right exam for your teaching goals.
How to register: Start by creating a GaPSC MyPSC account at mypsc.gapsc.org to get your Georgia certification number. After your eligibility is confirmed, create an Evaluation Systems GACE testing account at gace.es.pearson.com/test/723 and register for your testlets. You can take all four testlets together or separately in any combination you choose. Always verify current certification requirements at gapsc.com.
How to Prepare for the GACE Music (P–12) (723)
Here are some tips to help you get ready for each testlet.
- Testlet 304 (Aural Analysis Skills, 30 questions, 45 minutes) requires active listening practice, not just reading. Practice identifying intervals, chords, cadences, meters, and forms by ear using recordings across different periods and cultures. Practice following a printed score while listening to build error-detection skills.
- For Testlet 305 (Composition and Music Theory, 20 questions, 30 minutes), your written theory skills need to be fast and automatic. Know all key signatures, how to build any chord, and how to identify chord function and common forms. Know instrument transpositions for the arranging objectives.
- For Testlet 306 (Music Education and Performance, 30 questions, 45 minutes), pedagogy knowledge matters as much as performance knowledge. Know the four major pedagogical approaches and how to sequence instruction across P–12. Know vocal and instrumental technique, conducting patterns, and how to diagnose ensemble problems.
- For Testlet 307 (Music History and Culture, 20 questions, 30 minutes), breadth matters more than depth. Move fluently across Western music history and major non-Western traditions. Also know the development of American vernacular music and how each genre reflects its social context.
- Because Testlet 304 involves listening to audio, your testing experience will feel different from a standard exam. You’ll use headphones provided at the testing center. If you don’t have access to a formal ear training course, use free resources like teoria.com or musictheory.net to build your aural skills.
- Use the official GACE 723 Study Guide and the Georgia Standards of Excellence for Music as your two primary references. The study guide is at gace.es.pearson.com/studyguide/723. The National Core Arts Standards (Music) are also a useful framework.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about the GACE Music exam? Here are answers to the most common ones.
Ready to Start Practicing?
Adaptive practice questions covering all four testlets — Aural Analysis Skills (304), Composition and Music Theory (305), Music Education and Performance (306), and Music History and Culture (307) — aligned to the official GACE 723 blueprint. Testlet-level analytics so you know exactly where to focus your study time.
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