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Exam practice
RIAM Grade I music theory practice test
Timed practice for RIAM Grade I Music Theory, set out in the board's own sections. Every answer comes with an explanation.
About the exam
Theory and Harmony Grade I is a written theory exam from the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM).
This practice test covers Grade I: note values, time signatures, the stave, sharps and flats, scales and a short piece to read.
Listening on this test
Fifty questions with one answer each, as in the onscreen exam.
The sections
- Section 1 · Note and rest valuesThis section has 9 questions.
- Section 2 · Time signaturesThis section has 7 questions.
- Section 3 · StaveThis section has 9 questions.
- Section 4 · Sharps and flatsThis section has 1 question.
- Section 5 · ScalesThis section has 10 questions.
- Section 6 · ObservationThis section has 10 questions.
Timing
Exam mode runs a clock of 1 hour 30 minutes for the whole practice test.
The full practice test holds 46 questions.
Study mode has no clock. It checks each answer as you go.
Sample questions
Sample 1
Which note has a hollow head and no stem?
- A minim
- A semibreve
- A dotted minim
- A crotchet
The answer is B, A semibreve.
The semibreve is an open oval with nothing attached. Add a stem and it becomes a minim. Fill the head in as well and it becomes a crotchet.
Sample 2
What does the sign C mean when it is used as a time signature?
- Each bar begins on the note C
- Each bar has two crotchet beats
- Each bar has four crotchet beats
- Each bar has three crotchet beats
The answer is C, Each bar has four crotchet beats.
The C sign stands for common time, which is 4/4. It tells the player nothing about the key or about any particular note.
Sample 3
In G major, what is the tonic solfa name of B?
- Fa
- So
- Mi
- Re
The answer is C, Mi.
G, the tonic of G major, takes Do. Higher in the scale, B is Mi.
Questions and answers
How long is the RIAM Grade I Music Theory practice test?
Exam mode gives 1 hour 30 minutes for the whole practice test. It holds 46 questions. Study mode has no clock.
What sections does the RIAM Grade I Music Theory practice test cover?
It follows the board's order in six sections, from Note and rest values to Observation.
Are the answers explained?
Yes. Each answer comes with an explanation of why it is correct.
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