Theory exams: written and online

Candidates can select from three classical music syllabuses: Theory of Music, Musicianship, and Music Craft.

Theory of Music focuses more on the creative aspects of Music Theory without the aural component.

Musicianship focuses more on the creative aspects of Music Theory, with the aural component after Grade 4.

Music Craft is an alternative pathway for learning music's theoretical and aural aspects, introduced immediately.

To understand the different theory syllabuses offered by AMEB, click here!

Exams are also available in contemporary music theory through our Rockschool Popular Music Theory Syllabuses.

We also offer Speech & Performance theory exams.

Online Exams

Students can do an online exam at any time or place with a computer, an internet connection and appropriate supervision.

Candidates can complete online music theory exams in Theory of Music, Musicianship, Music Craft and Speech & Performance.

Rockschool Popular Music Theory exams are also available online, and more information can be found on the Rockschool website.

Exams available online 

*manually marked exams. You can learn more about manually marked exams here.

Flexible and convenient

Teachers can have their students complete the online exam at school, at home or in the music studio setting. Students studying in a class can complete the exam individually in their own time or simultaneously with the rest of the class, using our 'class exam' facility on SCORE.

Online Courses

To prepare for exams, Online Theory Courses for Theory of Music are available here and Music Craft student workbooks are available to buy in our online shop.

Our Online Theory Courses are a series of video lessons introducing new concepts to expand on your understanding. They walk you through our world-class Theory of Music syllabus, and each grade includes practice tests and a downloadable PDF that outlines each lesson's content for revision.

Practice exams

Each exam comes with unlimited practice exams for the student to complete at any time, as many times as they would like, up to a year after the exam is purchased. Candidates can use the practice exams to learn how to use the online exam system before sitting the official exam online.

Immediate results

Results for Theory of Music Grade 1 and 2, Musicianship Grade 1 and 2, and Music Craft Preliminary and Grade 1 online exams are available immediately. An examiner manually marks other exams with results available within 3-5 business days.

Online tutorials & support

SCORE has information and FAQs for students, teachers and parents to become more familiar with the online exam system. In addition, technical support is available to all users. 

Certificates

As with all other AMEB exams, certificates are mailed out soon after the completion of the exams. Certificates for online exams are identical to those for exams completed on paper. To maintain the integrity of AMEB written exams, all candidates under 18 must nominate an adult to supervise their written exams.

Traditional Paper-based Exams

In some states, candidates may complete written exams in the traditional paper-based format. Successful candidates will receive an official certificate recognising their achievement via mail. To see if paper-based exams are available in your state and find out how to request one, contact your local AMEB State Office for more information.

Set Works for Theory of Music and Musicianship

Theory of Music and Musicianship Grades 5 and 6 exams include a Set Works component. Below are the Set Works on which candidates will be asked questions in their exams.

For Grade 6 Theory of Music candidates, a score of Handel's Overture from Alcina HWV 34 is now available as free downloads via this link. Please note that we are not providing scores for any other set works from either syllabus.

Analytical notes are now available for all Set Works and can be purchased through our online shop.

Sample papers for Diploma exams

For advanced Theory of Music and Musicianship exams, we have a selection of free downloadable sample papers here.

Past Exam papers

You can purchase past Theory of Music, Musicianship and Music Craft papers from our Online Music Shop. These are digital downloads and can be accessed immediately after purchase. The aural recordings that accompany Musicianship and Music Craft aural exams are included in the digital downloads.

Examiners

Examinations are conducted by highly trained examiners who are specialists in their field. Each candidate who completes a manually marked AMEB music theory exam receives a feedback report with comments from their examiner.

Additional Requirements

For practical examinations from Grade 6 upwards, an additional written examination is required to gain your certificate. For diploma level written exams, an additional practical examination is required. In the case of these examinations, the additional requirement need not be completed before the principal examination, but until both the principal examination and the additional requirement are passed, the examination is incomplete, and no certificate will be awarded. It is the responsibility of the candidate to give notification as to the date of passing this additional requirement, and the centre at which such examination was held. Learn more

There are no additional requirements for Rockschool practical exams.