What Grade am I?

What ABRSM/Trinity Music Theory Grade are You?

This is a quiz designed to work out what grade you are at in music theory, based on the ABRSM’s and Trinity’s syllabuses.

• There are 8 grades (followed by diplomas from Trinity but not ABRSM).
• Grade 1 is elementary level and starts with basic notation, major keys with 1 sharp/flat in the key signature, three different time signatures, and the treble and bass clefs.
• Each subsequent grade is slightly more complex with added keys, foreign terms, time signatures, musical symbols, chords and intervals.
• Grade 5 is the required level for anyone who wants to take an ABRSM practical exam at grade 6 or higher (some alternative exams are allowed – see the ABRSM website for details). Grade 5 Trinity is also accepted by the ABRSM as a pre-requisite.
• Grades 6-8 take an in depth look at harmony, figured bass (ABRSM only) and compositional techniques. A pass or higher at these grades gives you credit in the form of UCAS points. Grade 8 is roughly the same level as an undergraduate first year music degree.

This quiz can only give a very general indication of your level – I can’t test your skills at figured bass or composition in this quiz! (Please seek advice from your teacher or email me at info@mymusictheory.com for advice about taking an music theory exam.)

Instructions: Click on “Submit” to submit your answers, “Next” to skip a question and “Finish” to give up completely. Leave answers blank instead of guessing, for a more accurate result!

0

What Grade am I?

Take a short test to find out what Music Theory Grade you are.

Try not to guess - if you are not sure of an answer, just skip to the next question.

1 / 24

A symphonic score includes parts for contrabassoon, four tubas and six harps. Who is the likely composer?

Debussy

Wagner

Handel

Telemann

2 / 24

Which of these chord progressions is most likely to be found in a Bach chorale?

vii°-V-IV-ii

vi-IV-ii-I

I-iii-V-IV

vi-ii-V-I

3 / 24

Select the true statement about 2nd inversion (c) chords:

Second inversion chords are the most common position (out of root, 1st and 2nd inversions).

Second inversion chords must always be major.

Second inversions can only be used at a cadential 6/4 progression

In a second inversion chord, you should always double the bass note.

4 / 24

What is the key of this melody?

C major

E minor

G major

D minor

5 / 24

What type of cadence is this?

Imperfect

Plagal

Perfect

6 / 24

Which of the below notes is a perfect 5th higher than this note?

7 / 24

What is the correct figure for this chord?

4/2

6/5

4/3

7

8 / 24

Which note would need an accidental in the key of F major?

9 / 24

Transpose this key signature up a minor 3rd.

10 / 24

Look at these notes then choose the correct sentence.

1. 
2. 

 

1 and 2 are the same pitch

1 is higher than 2

2 is higher than 1

11 / 24

What is the name of this note?

E

C

F#

G

12 / 24

Which of these chord progression is not a typical cadence used in the Classical era?

IV-V

VI-V

V-VI

V-IV

13 / 24

Which feature is not present in this extract?

 

Changing note

Syncopation

Inverted pedal

2nd inversion chord

14 / 24

Complete the sentence by typing a number.
This time signature means there are _______ minim (half note) beats per bar.

Check

error

15 / 24

What key is this the tonic triad of?

D major

F major

G major

C major

16 / 24

What is the chord sounding on the 4th beat of bar 1?

Neapolitan 6th in the key of F major

Dominant 7th in the key of A major

French 6th in the key of D minor

Diminished triad in the key of A minor

17 / 24

Which note in a first inversion dominant chord should not normally be doubled?

The 5th

The bass note

The tenor note

The root

18 / 24

What type of interval is this?

Diminished

Major

Augmented

Perfect

Minor

19 / 24

Which of the below notes is the correct enharmonic equivalent of this note?

20 / 24

What is the name of this note?

C

G

D

B

21 / 24

What feature of this music is a clue that it was written in the Modern era?

Sequences

Changes of clef

Parallel 5ths

Changes of tempo

22 / 24

What does tranquillo mean?

sadly

gracefully

holding back

calm

23 / 24

Which two notes are missing from this scale of D minor harmonic?

Bb and C#

B and C

Bb and C

B and C#

24 / 24

Which of the following bars is grouped correctly? 

Your score is

Facebook Twitter