The Expert's Guide to the AP Music Theory Exam

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Are you taking the AP Music Theory exam this spring and want to be well prepared on test day? The AP Music Theory exam in 2022 will be held on Friday, May 13, at 8 am. AP Music Theory is different from most other AP exams; it's more like a foreign language exam than anything else, with lots of audio clips and "translation." Knowing what to expect will go a long way to helping you feel confident on test day.

In this guide, we'll answer all your pressing questions like, "What is on the AP Music Theory exam?" "Is AP Music Theory hard?" and, maybe most importantly, "Do you have to sing in AP Music Theory?" (spoiler: kind of!). Read on to learn all those answers and more.

How Is the AP Music Theory Exam Structured?

The AP Music Theory exam is separated into two main parts. First you'll complete the multiple-choice section, then the free-response section. Each of these sections is further split into two parts.

Multiple-Choice Section