Adjust the sliders below to calculate your potential AP® Music Theory score
The AP® Music Theory Score Calculator is a smart and easy-to-use tool that helps students predict their final AP score (1–5) based on their performance across the multiple choice (MCQ), free response (FRQ), and sight-singing sections of the exam. By using College Board’s rubrics and historical scoring models, this calculator gives a realistic and accurate estimate of how you might score on test day.
The AP Music Theory Exam tests your understanding of musical notation, analysis, composition, and aural skills. It covers written theory and listening components, including melodic dictation, harmonic dictation, part-writing, and sight singing.
Pitch, rhythm, meter, scales, and modes
Intervals, chords, and harmonic progression
Figured bass realization and part-writing
Melodic and harmonic dictation
Sight singing with accurate pitch and rhythm
Section | Type | Time | Weight |
---|---|---|---|
I | Multiple Choice (MCQ) | ~75 minutes | 45% |
II-A | Free Response – Written | ~45 minutes | 45% |
II-B | Free Response – Sight Singing | ~10 minutes | 10% |
Breakdown:
75 MCQs based on listening and written theory
7 FRQs including melodic and harmonic dictation, part-writing, and composition
2 Sight-Singing exercises scored on pitch and rhythm
The calculator estimates your composite score out of 100 using the following section weights, then maps that to a predicted AP score based on historical College Board data.
Section | Raw Score Range | Weight (%) |
---|---|---|
MCQ | 0–75 | 45% |
Written FRQ | 0–60 | 45% |
Sight Singing FRQ | 0–18 | 10% |
🧠 FRQs are graded with specific rubrics. Sight-singing is scored separately for pitch (0–9) and rhythm (0–9) per exercise.
Composite Score | Predicted AP Score |
---|---|
85–100 | 5 |
70–84 | 4 |
55–69 | 3 |
40–54 | 2 |
Below 40 | 1 |
📌 This is based on recent AP scoring trends and may vary slightly by year.
Input MCQ Score
Enter the number of correct answers (out of 75).
Input Written FRQ Score
Score your melodic dictation, harmonic dictation, part-writing, and composition tasks (out of 60).
Input Sight Singing Scores
Enter pitch and rhythm scores (each 0–9) for both exercises.
View Your Results
The calculator combines all sections and gives you a composite score and predicted AP score (1–5).
Practice listening to intervals, chords, and cadences
Review common voice-leading rules and harmonic progressions
Get comfortable with rhythmic dictation and meters
Use proper voice-leading and spacing in part-writing
Practice melodic and harmonic dictation with real audio clips
Memorize common cadences, modulations, and figured bass notation
Practice solfège (do-re-mi) or number systems
Use a metronome and clap rhythms before singing
Always aim for accuracy in rhythm first, then pitch
📊 Get accurate AP score predictions based on real data
🎯 Identify your weakest section (MCQ, FRQ, or Sight Singing)
📈 Track your progress after every practice exam
⏱️ Simulate real scoring conditions under timed sessions
💪 Reduce anxiety by understanding where you stand
The AP® Music Theory Score Calculator is your personalized tool for understanding how each section of the exam contributes to your final score. Whether you’re preparing with practice exams, focusing on ear training, or polishing your part-writing, this calculator will help you plan and practice smarter.
From sight-singing challenges to harmonic dictation drills, use this tool to measure your progress and aim for the score you want.