Last Updated: January 4, 2025
The AP Music Theory exam consists of three sections: multiple choice, free response written, and sight singing. The exam is scored on a scale of 1 - 5, with a 5 being the highest possible score.
The scores in this calculator are estimates based on previous scoring curves. The actual scoring curve may vary year to year.
Instructions
Enter your scores for each section using the sliders below to calculate your estimated AP score.
Section I: Multiple Choice
Section IIA: Free Response
Melodic Dictation 1
Melodic Dictation 2
Harmonic Dictation 1
Harmonic Dictation 2
Part Writing from Figured Bass
Part Writing from Roman Numerals
Bass Line/Harmonization
Section IIB: Sight Singing
Sight Singing 1
Sight Singing 2
PREDICTED AP® SCORE
0 | Score range: 1 - 5
SECTION SCORES
Multiple Choice Score
0 / 90
Free Response Score
/ 110
Combined Composite Score
0 / 200
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The AP Music Theory exam consists of three main sections:
| Section | Question Type | Time | Questions | Exam Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section I | Multiple Choice | 1 hour 20 minutes | 75 questions | 45% |
| Section IIA | Free Response Written | 1 hour 10 minutes | 7 questions | 45% |
| Section IIB | Sight Singing | 10 minutes | 2 questions | 10% |
Total exam time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Section I: Multiple Choice
Approximately 13 sets of 4-6 questions
10-12 individual questions
Tests ability to use symbols and terms to describe features in performed and notated music
Includes detection of pitch and rhythm discrepancies
Covers various historical styles including baroque, classical, romantic, and contemporary
Section IIA: Free Response Written
2 melodic dictation questions
2 harmonic dictation questions
1 part writing from figured bass
1 part writing from Roman numerals
1 composition of a bass line/harmonization of a melody
Section IIB: Sight Singing
2 brief, primarily diatonic melodies (4-8 bars each)
Students record themselves singing the melodies
The AP Music Theory exam uses a weighted scoring system that combines your performance on all three sections. The multiple-choice section accounts for 45% of your score, the written free-response section makes up another 45%, and the sight-singing section contributes the final 10%.
Your raw scores from each section are converted into a composite score, which is then converted to the final AP score of 1-5. The distribution of scores from the most recent exam was:
| AP Music Theory Score | Percentage of Students |
|---|---|
| 5 | 19.0% |
| 4 | 17.5% |
| 3 | 23.6% |
| 2 | 25.3% |
| 1 | 14.5% |
A score of 3 or higher is generally considered passing, though many top colleges only award credit for scores of 4 or 5. For college admissions purposes, a 4 or 5 is considered a strong score.
To earn a high score (4 or 5), students typically need to demonstrate:
Strong understanding of music theory concepts
Ability to analyze and notate music accurately
Proficiency in sight-singing
Skills in melodic and harmonic dictation
Understanding of part writing and composition
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