Music entrance exam at UdeA: what to expect and how to prepare
UdeA’s music applicants do not take the general entrance exam. Admission depends on two elimination tests: one on your instrument, and another on listening, reading and harmony. We explain each one.
To enter the music, vocal music, or music education degree programs at Universidad de Antioquia, you do not take UdeA's general entrance exam. In the latest admissions cycle we reviewed (2027-1), admission depended on two tests that you had to pass: the subject-specific test (PE) in your instrument, voice, conducting, or composition, and the aptitude, singing, reading, and harmony test (PAELA).
The first requires at least 30 points to remain in the process; the second requires 65 points out of 100 for music and voice, and 70 for music education. Here we explain what each assesses, how places are allocated, and how to organize your preparation.
In short
- There is no general entrance exam for UdeA's undergraduate music programs: in the 2027-1 cycle, applicants took two tests that they had to pass, the subject-specific test (PE) and PAELA.
- The subject-specific test assesses your instrument, voice, conducting, or composition; in 2027-1, it required at least 30 points and was held in person or by video, depending on the area.
- PAELA assesses singing by imitation, pitch accuracy in scales and intervals, harmonic recognition, and rhythmic and melodic sight-reading; the minimum was 65/100 for music and voice, and 70/100 for music education.
- Saber 11 is required to apply, but UdeA removed the minimum score; places are limited by area, and meeting the minimum test scores does not guarantee admission.
- The music preparatory program (up to four semesters) has its own admissions process, and according to UdeA, taking it does not grant direct entry to an undergraduate degree.
Which music programs does UdeA offer?
Departamento de Música at Facultad de Artes in Medellín offers three undergraduate degrees and a preparatory program. The music education degree is also offered at the Oriente (Carmen de Viboral) and Urabá (Apartadó) campuses.
| Program | Type | Duration | Places for 2027-1 | Areas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Music (Medellín) | Undergraduate degree | 8 semesters | 34 | Orchestral instruments, classical guitar, piano, tiple, bandola, composition, conducting, and popular music (popular styles on bass, flute, guitar, and keyboards) |
| Vocal music (Medellín) | Undergraduate degree | 8 semesters | 10 | Classical and popular singing |
| Music Education | Undergraduate degree | 10 semesters | 20 in Medellín, 20 in Carmen de Viboral, and 20 in Apartadó | Instruments, voice, composition, conducting, and popular music |
| Music preparatory program (Medellín) | Pre-university prep (not an undergraduate degree) | Up to 4 semesters | Subject to openings in each instrument or voice studio | Instruments, voice, and popular music |
The main difference is the intended student profile: the guide describes music as a program for people with “outstanding talent” who want to pursue professional study of an instrument, conducting, or composition. Music education looks for a commitment to teaching, as well as prior knowledge and proficiency in an instrument, voice, conducting, or composition. If you are unsure which to choose, read a music performance degree or a music education degree?.
The admissions process, step by step
- Application and payment through the UdeA portal (Estudiar en la UdeA > Pregrado > Inscripción y pago), choosing the area in which you will take the subject-specific test.
- Subject-specific test (PE), in person or by video depending on the area. If you do not meet the minimum, you cannot continue in the process.
- Preliminary results notification for applicants who move on.
- PAELA, always in person, at the campus you are applying to (Medellín, Carmen de Viboral, or Apartadó).
- Results published and places allocated.
| Stage | Published date |
|---|---|
| Applications and payment | August 31 to September 30, 2026 |
| Application fee | $90.800 in Medellín; $28.200 in Carmen de Viboral and Apartadó |
| Video submissions (areas assessed remotely) | September 28 to October 10, 2026 |
| In-person subject-specific test | October 20, 2026 |
| PAELA | October 21 in Medellín; October 23 in Carmen de Viboral and Apartadó |
| Results published | November 18, 2026 |
In recent terms, UdeA has opened music admissions in both semesters (requirements have been published for 2025-1, 2026-2, and 2027-1), but offerings are determined for each admission cycle. If you missed one, mark the next on your calendar and use that time to prepare.
Regarding Saber 11: for undergraduate degrees, you must have your state exam results or exam appointment notice, but UdeA removed the minimum score for applying. Students in grade 10, or in grade 11 on calendar B, cannot apply to undergraduate programs in that cycle.
The subject-specific test (PE): your instrument, voice, conducting, or composition
This is the first test and assesses your skills and knowledge in your chosen area. In 2027-1, you needed at least 30 points to advance. The Department publishes a PDF of area-specific requirements, with different scales, études, and pieces for music, music education, and the preparatory program, along with these general assessment criteria:
- Pitch accuracy and control of sound.
- Rhythm and metric accuracy.
- Instrumental technique, posture, and handling of the instrument.
- Ability to handle the repertoire's level of difficulty.
- Interpretation and musicality.
- Sight-reading, where applicable.
In person or by video?
It depends on the area. In Medellín in 2027-1, in-person tests included classical and popular voice, piano, classical guitar, winds, percussion, cello, and popular music; bandola, double bass, tiple, viola, and violin were assessed by video. In Carmen de Viboral and Apartadó, the subject-specific test was by video only. If you live outside the metropolitan area, you can request remote assessment by email before applications close.
The video has strict rules: no audio or visual edits, recorded within the last three months, a front-facing view of you and your instrument, uploaded to YouTube as “unlisted,” with the date and the pieces you will play announced at the start. A broken link or a private video disqualifies you, so test it on another device before submitting it.
Examples of requirements in some areas (2027-1)
| Area | What was required |
|---|---|
| Classical guitar | For music: an étude (Sor, Brouwer, or Carcassi) and a piece of your choice. For music education: a Brouwer étude, a song you sing while accompanying yourself, and a piece of your choice. |
| Piano (music education and preparatory program) | Sight-reading, a required Prokofiev piece, and between 10 and 15 minutes of repertoire for music education. |
| Popular singing | Two pieces from memory, one from the Colombian repertoire and one from North or South America; a cappella, with a backing track, or with piano or guitar, without amplification. |
| Popular music | Three pieces of your choice; for the online option, with a group, with a backing track, or solo. |
| Composition | A portfolio of three original pieces in PDF (at least one in conventional notation), MP3 demos, a video presenting them, and an online conversation with the panel. |
Download your area's PDF as soon as it is published: required pieces take months to prepare. To choose your own pieces and organize your program, follow how to choose repertoire for an entrance audition.
PAELA: aptitude, singing, reading, and harmony
If you pass the subject-specific test, you are invited to PAELA, which is held in person. According to the 2027-1 guide, it assesses both your musical skills and your knowledge of theory, reading, and ear training through these exercises:
| Exercise | What it involves | How to practice it |
|---|---|---|
| Singing by imitation | Listen to a passage and sing it back in tune. | Sing short phrases after hearing them just once, without instrumental support. |
| Pitch accuracy in scales and intervals | Sing scales and intervals accurately. | Sing major and minor scales, and each interval starting on different notes, checking with a tuner or piano. |
| Harmonic recognition | Identify chords or harmonic relationships by ear. | Distinguish major, minor, diminished, and augmented chords, then simple cadences. |
| Rhythmic and melodic sight-reading | Read and sing an unfamiliar passage. | Read new material every day: rhythm first, then pitches, without stopping when you make a mistake. |
The PAELA is scored out of 100 points. For 2027-1, you needed at least 65 for Music and Voice, and 70 for the music education degree. Watch for changes: the structure and minimum scores can vary from one admission cycle to the next, so check the current guide for your term.
For ear training, you can use our ear training tool to practice intervals and chords. For reading, follow our method for rhythmic and melodic reading for the entrance exam.
How places are allocated
Meeting both minimum scores puts you in the running for a place; it does not mean you are admitted. According to the 2027-1 guide, places are allocated starting with the highest standardized scores, but there is an important difference between programs:
- Music, vocal music, and preparatory program: each area sets a priority ranking based on your score and performance in the subject-specific test. Your instrument carries significant weight in the final result.
- Music education: there is no ranking by area; places go to those with the highest PAELA scores. Here, your ear training, reading, and harmony skills decide the outcome.
The Department allocates places by area at the end of the process, and each studio has a limit. That is why two applicants with the same score may have different outcomes depending on their instrument. If applicants tie for the last available place, preference is given to those who voted in the most recent elections (Law 403 of 1997).
UdeA's music preparatory program
The preparatory program offers up to four semesters of pre-university training in an instrument or voice and music theory. Students in any of the last three years of secondary school can apply, and Saber 11 is not required. Admission also involves two tests that you must pass: the area's subject-specific test and a musical aptitude test (PA), worth 50 points with a minimum of 30, which assesses rhythm, coordination, memory, and pitch accuracy through imitation of rhythmic and melodic passages.
It is a useful option if you are still in school, but it is not a shortcut: UdeA states that attending or completing the preparatory program does not grant direct entry to an undergraduate degree. To compare preparation options, read what a pre-university music program is and how to choose one.
How to prepare for the UdeA music entrance exam
| Time before the test | Subject-specific test | PAELA |
|---|---|---|
| 9 to 6 months | Daily technique: scales and arpeggios at the level required for your area. | Music fundamentals: keys, intervals, scales, and triads; sing scales daily. |
| 6 to 3 months | Prepare the required pieces and choose your elective pieces. | Rhythmic reading and sight-singing with new material; recognize chords by ear. |
| From 3 months to 1 month before the test | Play the complete program for other people; if submitting a video, make practice recordings. | Imitate increasingly long phrases and recognize cadences by ear. |
| Final month | Mock auditions and the final recording, with time to spare. | Mock tests with someone who gives you unfamiliar exercises. |
Always practice with a metronome: metric accuracy is an explicit criterion in the subject-specific test. Work on your voice even if you play another instrument, because PAELA involves singing.
For the full schedule, see how to prepare for a music entrance exam. If you are applying for music education, prepare for the music admissions interview too, as it is useful for many teacher training degrees. At Gissi, you can prepare music theory, sight-singing, dictation, and your instrument with teachers in online lessons from any city; find out how in music entrance exam preparation. If you are also considering other universities in Medellín, compare with music admissions at EAFIT.
Frequently asked questions
Does UdeA require the general entrance exam for music?
Not for undergraduate music programs. In the 2027-1 cycle, admission depended on the subject-specific test and PAELA, both of which you had to pass. You do need Saber 11 results or an exam appointment notice, although there is no minimum score.
What is the minimum score on UdeA's music entrance exam?
In 2027-1, you needed 30 points in the subject-specific test to advance, and on PAELA, 65 out of 100 for music and voice, or 70 for music education. Meeting those minimums does not guarantee a place, because places in each area are limited.
Can I take UdeA's subject-specific test by video?
It depends on the area and campus. In 2027-1, bandola, double bass, tiple, viola, and violin were assessed by video in Medellín, as were all areas in Carmen de Viboral and Apartadó. If you live outside the metropolitan area, you can request remote assessment before applications close. PAELA is held in person.
Does completing the music preparatory program give me direct entry to the degree?
No. UdeA states that attending or completing the preparatory program does not grant direct entry to an undergraduate degree; you would need to go through admissions like any other applicant.
What if I do not sing well but play my instrument very well?
You must pass PAELA, which is based on singing in tune, pitch accuracy in scales and intervals, and sight-singing. You therefore need to develop your voice as a reading tool, even if you are not applying for voice. Daily practice can bring substantial improvement in a few months.
Sources
We checked the facts in this article against these sources on October 22, 2026.