WHY HAS MUSICAL APTITUDE ASSESSMENT FALLEN FLAT - AND WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT

Tests of musical aptitudes are reviewed. Despite decades of research a nd at least modest evidence for the validity of such tests (particular ly regarding their ability to assess a mechanical-acoustic factor), th e objective assessment of musical aptitudes is not part of the standar d career assessment battery. Reasons for this situation are suggested. A renewed effort to develop musical aptitude tests is recommended, pa rticularly along the lines already established through the research pr ograms of Karma (1994), Dowling and Harwood (1986), and Vispoel (1992) .