10 exam-style questions with answers and explanations, straight from our 1,030-question bank. Tap an answer to check yourself. When you're ready, take the scored version in the free practice test.
The MT-BC exam has 150 questions and runs 180 minutes.
These 10 free MT-BC questions are organized by exam domain, so you can see how each part of the Music Therapist - Board Certified blueprint is tested. Reveal the answer and explanation under each question.
Domain 1: Safety (6 exam items)
Question 1
During a music-therapy group at an adult day program, a participant with epilepsy has a generalized convulsive seizure lasting about 90 seconds. The therapist clears nearby instruments, protects the participant's head, and times the event. The movements stop, but the participant does not regain responsiveness before another seizure begins. No individualized rescue plan is available. What takes priority now?
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Correct answer: B - Have a staff member activate emergency medical services while continuing seizure first aid.
Domain 2: Referral, Assessment, Interpretation of Assessment, and Treatment Planning (39 exam items)
Question 2
During a poststroke music-therapy assessment, which finding most clearly supports aphasia rather than isolated dysarthria?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A - The client substitutes incorrect words when writing simple messages.
Question 3
An elementary student's individualized education program identifies difficulty initiating requests during classroom routines. Assessment shows that the student can use an existing augmentative and alternative communication device, chooses an instrument when asked, and readily imitates short rhythms. The team agrees to measure progress over six weeks in both music therapy and the classroom. Which behavior should the music-therapy objective target?
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Correct answer: D - Independent requests using the device in music therapy and classroom routines.
Question 4
Original FLACC observations for a 20-month-old after a painful procedure are: constant frown; restless legs; lying quietly and moving easily; occasional whimpering; and reassurance achieved with occasional talking from the caregiver. The music therapist is trained to use this scale. What is the accurate score and interpretation?
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Correct answer: A - FLACC 5/10; the observed pain-related behavior warrants communication and reassessment.
Question 5
A psychiatric outpatient who previously participated comfortably in a seated guitar group now paces and repeatedly shifts their legs. The client says, 'My body won't let me stay still.' The behavior also occurs when no music is playing. Haloperidol was increased three days earlier; the client answers coherently and reports no increased fear. When reporting this change to the treating team, the therapist should raise the possibility of:
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Correct answer: B - Medication-related akathisia associated with the recent increase in haloperidol.
Domain 3: Treatment Implementation and Documentation (60 exam items)
Question 6
A music therapist trained in rhythmic auditory stimulation is co-treating a client with Parkinson disease with a physical therapist. A 60-second observation includes 20 seconds standing still to adjust the walker; 54 individual footfalls occur during the remaining walking time. The immediate goal is to establish synchronization at the client's current walking cadence, with one audible beat per footfall. Which initial cue best fits that goal?
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Correct answer: C - 81 beats/min, matching the cadence measured during active walking.
Question 7
An adult wants to sing a favorite song during a family visit. The assessed comfortable range is C4 through A4, with C4 representing middle C. In its original key of A major, the song's melody ranges from E4 through C-sharp5, and its accompaniment uses A-D-E7. Which transposition preserves the melody and chord functions while fitting the entire melody within the client's range?
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Correct answer: B - F major, with F-B-flat-C7 accompaniment.
Question 8
In an individual session focused on bereavement, a client begins crying during a song they selected. When the therapist checks in, the client says, 'It hurts, but this is how I want to remember her. Please let it finish.' The client remains oriented, breathes regularly, and shows no indication of an immediate safety concern. How should the therapist respond to this moment?
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Correct answer: D - Remain present as the song finishes, then invite reflection at the client's pace.
Question 9
An occupational therapist reviewing a co-treatment video says, "The pattern is accurate, but the shoulder is doing most of the work." The target is active elbow extension during therapeutic instrumental music performance after a stroke. Given an established pain-free reaching zone, which adjustment best addresses the mismatch?
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Correct answer: C - Reposition the drum so reaching it requires elbow extension within the assessed zone.
Domain 5: Professional Development and Responsibilities (12 exam items)
Question 10
At a HIPAA-covered rehabilitation clinic, a music therapist receives a verified request from a client's new treating speech-language pathologist at another practice. The request is for ordinary progress notes about functional communication, not separately maintained psychotherapy notes. Clinic policy permits this treatment handoff, and no additional legal restriction applies. Which handling of the request best supports lawful continuity of care?
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Correct answer: A - Send the requested treatment notes through the clinic's approved secure channel.