For Levels 1-4 of the Basic Music Literacy Graded Examination, all candidates must use the "Tutorial for Graded Examination of Basic Music Literacy" (Volumes I & II), published in June 1998 by the Xinhua Publishing House under the editorial board of the Graded Examination Committee of the Chinese Musicians Association. The examination content and question types for each level refer to the "Completion Test Questions (Example Questions)" at the end of each level’s textbook (Note: For Level 2 Completion Test Questions (Example Questions), questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 11 of the first question are canceled).
The certification levels for basic music literacy are divided into four grades: Level 1 as the foundation level, Level 2 as the primary level, Level 3 as the intermediate level, and Level 4 as the advanced level. Candidates cannot skip levels for exams above Level 2.
Specific examination requirements are as follows:
Level 1: Entirely oral examination with no written test. Content includes: 1) Rhythm imitation, pitch matching, and melody phrase matching. All exam content will be randomly selected by the judges through a computer system, with a total score of 80 points for this section; 2) Sight-singing of one question. All sight-singing questions come from the practice exercises in the "Tutorial." Candidates will select two questions via a computer system and choose one to sing. Candidates may use either movable-do or fixed-do solfège methods, or no method at all. This section is worth 20 points.
Level 2: Includes both written and oral examinations. 1) Oral examination: Sight-singing of one question. All sight-singing questions come from the practice exercises in the "Tutorial." Candidates will select two questions via a computer system and choose one to sing. Candidates may use either movable-do or fixed-do solfège methods, or no method at all. This section is worth 20 points. 2) Written examination: Content includes interval and chord identification, rhythm and melody dictation fill-in-the-blank, application of music theory, and music terminology. All exam content will be randomly selected by the judges through a computer system. The duration of the written exam is 90 minutes, with a total score of 80 points. Special note: In the textbook's "Completion Test Questions (Example Questions)," questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 11 of the first question are canceled.
Level 3: Includes both written and oral examinations. 1) Oral examination: Sight-singing of one question. All sight-singing questions come from the practice exercises in the "Tutorial." Candidates will select two questions via a computer system and choose one to sing. Candidates may use either movable-do or fixed-do solfège methods, or no method at all. This section is worth 20 points. 2) Written examination: Content includes chord identification and dictation, application of music theory, and music terminology. Dictation includes two single-part melodies, one double-part melody (only one part needs to be recorded), and two chord progressions (only the bass line needs to be recorded along with harmonic function markings). All exam content will be randomly selected by the judges through a computer system. The duration of the written exam is 90 minutes, with a total score of 80 points.
Level 4: Entirely written examination, format includes identification and judgment. Content includes: 1) Instrument categories; 2) Instrument names; 3) Western music styles; 4) World regional music; 5) Asian music styles; 6) Chinese opera music; 7) Chinese storytelling music; 8) Chinese instrumental music; 9) World popular music (For these nine topics, a segment of music will be randomly selected, and candidates must choose one correct answer from several given options. Each question is worth 10 points); 10) Famous Western composers and music styles; 11) Music terminology (For these two topics, "four-to-four" line judgment questions will be randomly selected, with each question worth 5 points).
All candidates participating in the Basic Music Literacy Graded Examination must bring their own examination textbooks when entering the oral examination room. Candidates taking Levels 2, 3, and 4 must not bring any items other than their admission tickets, the certificate of qualification from the previous level, pens or ballpoint pens for answering questions, and correction fluid into the written examination room (blank staff paper will be provided by the examination office for rough work). Pencils are not allowed for answers. The written and oral examinations for Levels 2, 3, and 4 will be scheduled separately.
Source: College Student Music Network