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Exam practice
AMEB Grade 1 music theory practice test
Timed practice for AMEB Grade 1 Music Theory, set out in the board's own sections. Every answer comes with an explanation.
About the exam
Theory of Music Grade 1 is a written theory exam from the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB).
This practice test covers Grade 1: pitch, keys and scales, intervals, chords, time and rhythm, transposition and terms.
Listening on this test
Every question has one answer. Writing a transposition is asked through the notes it needs.
The sections
- Section 1 · Pitch and TonalityThis section has 6 questions.
- Section 2 · Keys and ScalesThis section has 6 questions.
- Section 3 · IntervalsThis section has 5 questions.
- Section 4 · ChordsThis section has 3 questions.
- Section 5 · Time and RhythmThis section has 8 questions.
- Section 6 · TranspositionThis section has 4 questions.
- Section 7 · TerminologyThis section has 7 questions.
Timing
Exam mode runs a clock of 1 hour for the whole practice test.
The full practice test holds 39 questions.
Study mode has no clock. It checks each answer as you go.
Grade bands as a guide
The board's paper has 100 marks. Australian Music Examinations Board sets Pass at 65, Credit at 75, Honours at 85 and High Distinction at 95.
A practice score is a guide to these bands only.
Source: AMEB SA & NT, "Our exams" (Theory of Music up to Grade 6).
Sample questions
Sample 1
Which notes form the ascending scale of F major?
- F, G, A♭, B, C, D, E and F
- F, G, A, B, C, D, E♭ and F
- F, G, A, B, C, D♭, E and F
- F, G, A, B♭, C, D, E and F
The answer is D, F, G, A, B♭, C, D, E and F.
In F major the accidental is B♭. It rises as F, G, A, B♭, C, D, E and F.
Sample 2
Which notes form the tonic triad of C major?
- G, B and D
- C, E and G
- C, E♭ and G
- G, B♭ and D
The answer is B, C, E and G.
A tonic triad is built from the 1st, 3rd and 5th degrees of the scale. In C major these are C, E and G, which are all naturals.
Questions and answers
How long is the AMEB Grade 1 Music Theory practice test?
Exam mode gives 1 hour for the whole practice test. It holds 39 questions. Study mode has no clock.
What sections does the AMEB Grade 1 Music Theory practice test cover?
It follows the board's order in seven sections, from Pitch and Tonality to Terminology.
Are the answers explained?
Yes. Each answer comes with an explanation of why it is correct.
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