AP Music Theory study plan
AP Music Theory · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Section I: Multiple Choice & Section IIA: Free Response: Written
Identify and label all diatonic intervals (m2 through P8) by ear and on staff within 3 seconds each
Construct and spell all major and minor scales from any starting note without reference
Notate all major and minor key signatures from memory, ascending and descending circle of fifths
Analyze 10 short harmonic excerpts by labeling Roman numerals and identifying cadence types
Your checkpoint
A 25-item self-quiz scoring at least 20/25 on scale spelling, key signatures, and interval identification, with errors logged by category
Section I: Multiple Choice & Section IIA: Free Response: Written
Build all four triad qualities and all seventh chord qualities on any root
Perform functional harmonic analysis of 15 four-part chorale phrases, labeling inversions with figured bass
Identify non-chord tones (passing, neighbor, suspension, appoggiatura, escape) in notated examples
Dictate 8 two-measure rhythmic patterns in simple and compound meter
Your checkpoint
A completed analysis packet of 15 chorale excerpts with Roman numerals, figured bass, and labeled non-chord tones, graded against an answer key at 80% or better
Section I: Multiple Choice & Section IIA: Free Response: Written
Transcribe 10 four-measure melodic dictations in major and minor keys, notating pitch and rhythm accurately
Identify phrase structure (period, sentence, phrase extension) in 10 notated melodies
Analyze secondary dominants and tonicizations in 8 short progressions
Complete 20 multiple-choice items on cadences, modulation, and phrase structure under timed conditions
Your checkpoint
A timed 20-question mini-test on harmony and form completed in under 25 minutes with 80% accuracy or higher
Section IIA: Free Response: Written & Section I: Multiple Choice
Write complete four-part realizations of 4 figured-bass exercises following voice-leading rules
Harmonize 3 given soprano melodies with correct chord choices and cadences
Detect and correct parallel fifths, parallel octaves, and voice-crossing errors in 10 flawed examples
Score at least 85% on a mixed 30-question multiple-choice set covering all Domain 1 topics
Your checkpoint
Four hand-written four-part harmonizations checked against voice-leading rules, plus a 30-question mixed MCQ set scored at 85% or higher
Section IIA: Free Response: Written & Section IIB: Free Response: Sight Singing
Compose a 16-measure original melody that demonstrates a specified phrase structure and cadence plan
Sing all major and minor scales and all diatonic intervals accurately against a drone, recording each attempt
Sight-sing 12 short melodies in treble and bass clef using solfège or neutral syllables
Identify melodic and harmonic errors in 10 recorded or notated sight-singing performances
Your checkpoint
A recorded set of 12 sight-sung melodies plus one original 16-measure composition submitted with an annotated phrase and cadence analysis
Section IIA: Free Response: Written & Section IIB: Free Response: Sight Singing
Complete 3 full free-response harmonic dictation exercises, notating soprano and bass and labeling Roman numerals
Complete 3 full free-response melodic dictation exercises with accurate rhythm and pitch
Sight-sing 15 melodies at performance tempo with fewer than 3 pitch errors each
Write a 2-part counterpoint exercise in first species against a given cantus firmus
Your checkpoint
Three full melodic dictations and three full harmonic dictations scored against rubrics at 75% or higher, plus 15 recorded sight-singing takes with an error log
Section I: Multiple Choice & Section IIA: Free Response: Written
Complete a full-length timed multiple-choice practice section under real test conditions
Review and remediate every missed item by re-teaching the underlying concept and re-testing it
Complete 2 full free-response written sets including part-writing and analysis components
Sight-sing 10 melodies with recorded self-assessment against a rubric
Your checkpoint
A full-length timed MCQ practice section and 2 free-response written sets with a written remediation log for every missed question
Section I: Multiple Choice & Section IIA: Free Response: Written & Section IIB: Free Response: Sight Singing
Re-drill the 20 most-missed concepts from the remediation log until each is answered correctly twice in a row
Complete 1 final full-length timed MCQ section and 1 full free-response set
Record a final sight-singing portfolio of 8 melodies at test tempo
Build a one-page reference sheet of rules, error patterns, and test-day timing strategy
Your checkpoint
A final full-length practice exam (MCQ plus free-response) scored at or above the target passing threshold, with a completed one-page reference sheet
Milestones
Week 2: Score 80% or higher on a 30-item fundamentals quiz covering scales, key signatures, intervals, and triad/seventh construction
Week 4: Complete four four-part harmonizations with no unresolved parallel fifths or octaves, and score 85% on a 30-question mixed MCQ set
Week 6: Complete three harmonic and three melodic dictations at 75% or higher on rubric scoring, and sight-sing 15 melodies with fewer than 3 pitch errors each
Week 8: Score at or above the target passing threshold on a full-length timed practice exam covering all three domains