How to Prepare for Entrance Exams at Top Scoring Programs (NFTS, RCM, & Beyond)

⏱️ Reading time: 3-4 minutes

Getting into prestigious film scoring programs like NFTS or RCM isn’t just about talent, it’s about showing up prepared, informed, and ready to demonstrate your commitment to the craft. After years of mentoring aspiring composers through these exact entrance exams, I’ve seen what separates successful applicants from the rest.

Here’s the straightforward path to exam success, no fluff included.

Start With Active Listening (Not Passive Consumption)

Most aspiring composers think they’re “studying” when they put on a Hans Zimmer playlist. That’s entertainment, not preparation.

Real preparation means conscious analysis. Pick a film scene and ask yourself: How does the composer create tension? What instruments drive the emotional arc? When does the music step back to let dialogue breathe?

Try this exercise: Watch the same 5-minute scene three times. First time, just experience it. Second time, focus only on the music. Third time, identify specific compositional techniques, modulations, orchestration choices, rhythmic patterns.

Schools notice students who understand industry context, not just those who can name famous composers. Show them you think like a professional.

Get Your Hands Dirty With Real Composing

Portfolio work beats theoretical knowledge every time. Even if you’re composing for your friend’s YouTube channel or scoring a student film for free, you’re learning the practical skills that entrance panels actually care about.

Approach local filmmakers, animation students, or game developers. Offer to score their projects. Even unpaid opportunities teach you about:

• Working with picture
• Meeting deadlines
• Collaborating with directors
• Handling revisions

The confidence you’ll gain from completing real projects shows up immediately in your exam performance and interviews.

Observe Professional Recording Sessions

If you can swing it, sit in on professional recording sessions. Many studios allow observers for a small fee, and the education is invaluable.

You’ll learn things no textbook teaches: How composers communicate with musicians, how arrangements translate to live performance, what recording engineers actually do, and how film music production really works.

Even one session gives you vocabulary and insights that set you apart from applicants who’ve only worked in their bedrooms.

Master Your DAW, Focus on Logic Pro & Cubase

Every top program assumes DAW proficiency. Don’t show up fumbling with basic functions.

Logic Pro and Cubase dominate professional film scoring. Pick one and get fluent. Learn:

• Advanced MIDI editing
• Score creation and notation
• Virtual instrument programming
• Professional mixing basics
• Project organization for collaboration

Your DAW should feel like an extension of your musical thoughts, not a barrier to expressing them.

Build Classical Foundation, But Make It Practical

Yes, you need orchestral knowledge. But don’t just memorize textbooks.

Study classical orchestration through film score analysis. Take a John Williams cue and identify his orchestration choices. Why violins here? Why brass there? How does he balance the orchestra against dialogue?

Learn:

• Standard instrumental ranges and capabilities
• Traditional orchestral sections and their roles
• Basic conducting patterns
• Score reading fundamentals

But always connect theory to practical application. Schools want composers who understand tradition and can apply it creatively.

Read Scores While You Listen

This separates serious students from casual fans. Get your hands on actual film scores: many are available through music libraries or online databases.

Follow along with recordings while reading the written music. Start with simpler scores before tackling complex orchestral arrangements. You’ll develop:

• Score reading speed
• Understanding of notation conventions
• Recognition of orchestration patterns
• Ability to analyze compositional structure

This skill proves invaluable during entrance exams that include score analysis components.

Balance Fundamentals With Creative Voice

Here’s where many applicants stumble: they either showcase technical perfection without personality, or creative originality without solid foundations.

Top programs want both. Your portfolio should demonstrate:

• Solid compositional technique
• Understanding of film music conventions
• Personal creative voice
• Ability to serve story, not just showcase skills

Ask yourself: Does this music sound like me, or like someone else I’m trying to imitate? Schools can spot derivative work immediately.

Get Personalized Mentorship

Here’s the reality: Generic preparation only gets you so far. Each program has specific requirements, expectations, and evaluation criteria. What impresses NFTS panels might not work for RCM, and vice versa.

Professional film composition mentorship gives you the edge successful applicants consistently demonstrate. Working one-on-one with an experienced composer who understands these programs means:

• Targeted portfolio development
• Program-specific preparation strategies
• Industry insights you won’t find online
• Honest feedback on your readiness
• Connections to professional networks

At Sound Arcade, our personalized film scoring lessons focus specifically on entrance exam preparation for programs like NFTS and RCM. We’ve guided students through successful applications by combining technical skill development with strategic portfolio curation.

Your Next Steps

Start your preparation today, not next month. Successful entrance exam preparation takes months, not weeks.

Begin with active listening exercises and reach out for composing opportunities. If you’re serious about programs like NFTS or RCM, consider professional guidance early in your preparation process.

The competition is fierce, but prepared applicants consistently succeed. Schools want students who understand both the craft and the industry: show them you’re ready for professional film composition training.

Ready to start your entrance exam preparation? Our film scoring lessons and 1:1 composition mentorship are designed specifically for aspiring composers targeting top programs. Get the personalized guidance that gives you the competitive edge.

Your film scoring career starts with the right preparation. Make it count.