Music Theory
> Theory of Music
> Musicianship
> Music Craft
> Paper-based exam information
> Accessing online examinations
Subject choices
Candidates can select from three music theory syllabuses: Theory of Music, Music Craft and Musicianship. Music Craft includes an aural component throughout the syllabus while Musicianship includes an aural component from Fourth Grade onwards. Theory of Music does not include an aural component.
Examination requirements
It is essential that teachers and candidates consult the current year’s syllabus for details of AMEB examination requirements and note the applicable regulations, which are amended from time to time. The Manual of Syllabuses (Music Syllabuses) is available for purchase in the traditional hard copy format or as a digital file (PDF); and digital syllabuses are available for individual instruments and instrument families. < Read more about purchasing syllabuses >
Enrolling for examinations
Grade examinations in Theory of Music, Musicianship and Music Craft (except Grades 5 and 6) are available online and may be taken at any time within twelve months of enrolment. Enrolments for individual or ‘class’ online exams may be made via AMEB Connect (Victoria).
Paper-based grade examinations will be available only for Theory of Music (all grades) and Music Craft Grades 5 and 6. See Theory of Music and Music Craft sections below.
Written and Aural Diploma exams on application
Musicianship and Theory of Music Diploma exams are available on application. Candidates will be responsible for arranging the venue and suitable supervision.
Online Written Exams
Once an exam is purchased, the candidate will be issued with an Exam Key and Exam PIN, unique codes which, together, give access to practice and official exams. Please note that the Exam Key expires twelve months after purchase. (An extension of 30 days may be purchased via AMEB Connect.)
Theory of Music
Although the convenient online examinations in music theory are embraced by thousands of Victorians each year, we appreciate that some students prefer to work with pencil and paper. We are pleased to advise that paper-based exams in Theory of Music will be available to groups of ten or more candidates wishing to take an examination at the same time. (Examinations in all grades of Theory of Music will continue to be available online.)
A school or private studio with ten or more candidates may apply to host paper-based Theory of Music examinations at any convenient time from March through to November. A group may comprise candidates undertaking any Theory of Music grade or diploma examination at the same time and place. Studio teachers may wish to collaborate to arrange a group of acceptable size.
Applications will need to be lodged with AMEB Victoria at least six weeks before the proposed examination date, to enable unique exam question papers to be prepared and printed.
With the introduction of this service, alongside our popular online examination offering, the August session for paper-based exams will no longer be offered.
Set works for Grades 5 and 6
The introduction of Set Works in Theory of Music Grade 5 from 2020 is designed to assist students’ development of analytical skills at an earlier stage of learning and will more closely align the Theory of Music and Musicianship syllabuses. Candidates should be prepared to answer questions on ALL Set Works in the exam. A digital publication, Theory of Music Analytical notes is available to assist candidates preparing for this section of the exam.
Set Works for the Licentiate Diploma in Musicology
Both Group 1 and Group 2 of the Set Works in the Licentiate Diploma in Musicology syllabus changed from 2020. (There were no changes to the Set Works for the Associate Diploma in Musicology.)
Theory of Music Resources
Theory of Music integrated course and workbook (Grade 1 – Grade 5)
Analytical Notes (Grades 5 and 6)
| Theory of Music Subject Numbers and Fees 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | |||
| 3001 | Grade 1 | $ | 82.00 |
| 3002 | Grade 2 | $ | 85.00 |
| 3003 | Grade 3 | $ | 89.00 |
| 3004 | Grade 4 | $ | 95.00 |
| 3005 | Grade 5 | $ | 101.00 |
| 3006 | Grade 6 | $ | 106.00 |
| Associate - Musicology** | $ | 183.00 | |
| Associate - Harmony & Counterpoint** | $ | 183.00 | |
| Associate - Orchestration & Arrangement** | $ | 183.00 | |
| Licentiate - Musicology** | $ | 223.00 | |
| Licentiate - Harmony & Counterpoint** | $ | 223.00 | |
| Licentiate - Orchestration & Arrangement** | $ | 223.00 | |
| ** Theory of Music diploma examinations available on application. | |||
Musicianship
Set Works for Grades 5 and 6
Musicianship Grade exams are available only in the online format. Set Works for Musicianship Grades 5 and 6 were introduced in 2020.
Candidates should be prepared to answer questions on ALL Set Works in the exam. A digital publication, Musicianship Analytical notes will be available to assist candidates preparing for this section of the exam.
| Musicianship Subject Numbers and Fees 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | |||
| 3021 | Grade 1 | $ | 82.00 |
| 3022 | Grade 2 | $ | 85.00 |
| 3023 | Grade 3 | $ | 89.00 |
| 3024 | Grade 4 | $ | 99.00 |
| 3025 | Grade 5 | $ | 104.00 |
| 3026 | Grade 6 | $ | 107.00 |
| Associate – Aural** | $ | 183.00 | |
| Associate – Written** | $ | 183.00 | |
| Licentiate – Aural ** | $ | 223.00 | |
| Licentiate – Written** | $ | 223.00 | |
| ** Musicianship diploma examinations available on application. | |||
Music Craft
Examination options
Music Craft exams from Preliminary to Grade 4 are only available online. Music Craft Grades 5 and 6 will continue to be available in the traditional paper-based format, please contact us to enquire about the application process. Written and aural components of Music Craft Grade 5 and Grade 6 will be examined on a set date in August.
Music Craft Resources
Music Craft Student Workbook Book A (Preliminary – Grade 4)
Music Craft Student Workbook Book B (Preliminary – Grade 4)
Music Craft Teacher’s Guide Book A (Preliminary – Grade 4)
Music Craft Teacher’s Guide Book B (Preliminary – Grade 4)
Music Craft Essential Exercises Grade 5
Music Craft Essential Exercises Grade 6
| Music Craft Subject Numbers and Fees 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | |||
| 4540 | Preliminary | $ | 82.00 |
| 4541 | Grade 1 | $ | 85.00 |
| 4542 | Grade 2 | $ | 89.00 |
| 4543 | Grade 3 | $ | 99.00 |
| 4544 | Grade 4 | $ | 104.00 |
| Grade 5 | $ | 107.00 | |
| Grade 6 | $ | 110.00 | |
All prices are in Australian dollars and include GST.
Paper-based Written examinations
A school or private studio with a group of ten or more candidates may apply to host paper-based Theory of Music examinations on any convenient date from March through to November (maximum of two groups per year). A group may comprise candidates undertaking any Theory of Music grade or diploma examination at the same time. Studio teachers may wish to collaborate to arrange a group of acceptable size.
Applications will need to be lodged with AMEB Victoria at least six weeks before the proposed examination date, to enable unique exam question papers to be prepared and printed.
With the introduction of this service, alongside our popular online examination offering, the August session for paper-based exams in Theory of Music, Musicianship and Music Craft will no longer be offered. <Read more>
Accessing online exams
For the convenience of Victorian teachers and students, enrolments for online Written examinations are made through AMEB Connect. Once an exam is purchased, the enrolling person will receive a Confirmation of Enrolment by email which will contain an Exam Key and Exam PIN for each online theory candidate. These details provide access to each candidate’s theory examination on the SCORE website. Please note the Exam Key expires twelve months after purchase.
Click here to log in to SCORE
(using the Exam Key and Exam PIN provided at the time of enrolment).