In 2020, as a response to the disruption caused by COVID-19, the College Board modified the AP exams so they were shorter, administered online, covered less material, and had a different format than previous tests. But thousands of students faced technical problems and had to retake their exams.
This year, the College Board is providing 3 testing dates starting in early May for each AP exam with options for in-school and at-home, as well as traditional and digital, testing.
“While this year’s exam options look different from years past, this schedule will maximize opportunities for AP students in a variety of different situations to test and earn college credit and placement,” according to the College Board.
The AP Music Theory exam for 2021 will be a full-length exam that students can take in school only (unlike exams for other AP subjects).
Here are the key changes you need to know to do well in the upcoming AP Music Theory exam.
Will I get college credit for the 2021 AP Music Theory exam?
Students who take the 2021 AP Music Theory exam will be eligible for college credit.
As in previous years, a student must obtain a score of 3, 4, or 5 to be eligible for college credit.
How long is the 2021 AP Music Theory exam?
The 2021 AP Music Theory exam will be 2 hours, 40 minutes long. Students can take it only in school or school-proctored locations. There are NO digital versions of the AP Music Theory exam, unlike exams for many other AP subjects.
What’s the 2021 AP Music Theory exam date and time?
The College Board is offering 3 exam dates for the AP Music Theory exam this year.
| Date | Time | Location | Method |
| Wednesday, May 12, 2021 | 12 PM Local Time | In School | Paper & Pencil |
| Friday, May 21, 2021 | 12 PM Local Time | In School | Paper & Pencil |
| Friday, June 4, 2021 | 12 PM Local Time | In School | Paper & Pencil |
It is up to individual schools, though, to choose the exam options that work best for them.
What will be tested on the 2021 AP Music Theory exam?
The 2021 AP Music Theory exam will test students on the whole course content, so be prepared to answer questions on these topics:
- Unit 1: Music Fundamentals I – Pitch, Major Scales and Key Signatures, Rhythm, Meter, and Expressive Elements
- Unit 2: Music Fundamentals II – Minor Scales and Key Signatures, Melody, Timbre, and Texture
- Unit 3: Music Fundamentals III – Triads and Seventh Chords
- Unit 4: Harmony and Voice Leading I – Chord Function, Cadence, and Phrase
- Unit 5: Harmony and Voice Leading II – Chord Progressions and Predominant Function
- Unit 6: Harmony and Voice Leading III – Embellishments, Motives, and Melodic Devices
- Unit 7: Harmony and Voice Leading IV – Secondary Function
- Unit 8: Modes and Form
What is the AP Music Theory exam format for 2021?
The 2021 AP Music Theory exam will consist of 2 sections: multiple-choice and free-response. The multiple-choice section is worth 45 percent of the exam score, and the free-response section is worth 55 percent.
The free-response section has a sight-singing component.
The chart below shows the breakdown of the exam components.
| Section | # Questions | Time Allocation | Exam Weight |
| I: Multiple Choice | 75 | 80 minutes | 45% |
| IIA: Free Response Written | 7 | 70 minutes | 45% |
| IIB: Free Response Sight Singing | 2 | 10 minutes | 10% |
For free examples of free-response questions, check here for the actual questions posed in the 2019 AP Music Theory exam and here for those posed in the 2018 exam.
For examples of sight-singing free-response questions, check here for the 2019 questions and here for the 2018 questions.
You can also practice multiple-choice and free-response questions within the digital exam app starting early April.
Is the College Board offering any free AP Music Theory exam review courses?
The College Board is offering free AP resources to students.
The College Board’s AP YouTube channel gives students access to APLive classes and recordings delivered by AP teachers from across the country. Additionally, to help students review course content and skills before their exam, the College Board will give students access to AP Daily: Live Review sessions from April 19 to 29. You can sign up for the live review sessions here.
What are my other options for preparing for the 2021 AP Music Theory exam?
If you don’t have an AP Music Theory review book already, check out TUN’s Textbook Save Engine to compare prices and get the best deals.
If you’re taking more than one AP exam in 2021, check TUN’s AP Exam Review for details on other revised AP exams.
