Practice a College Board-style free response question on Music Fundamentals I. Write your response, then reveal the model answer to see exactly what earns each point.
Free Response Question · Unit 1 · Scales, Keys & Meter
A student is analyzing an excerpt written in the treble clef. The key signature contains three sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯), and the time signature is 6/8. Use this information to answer the parts below. (No staff paper is needed — describe each answer in words and note names.)
A
Identify the major key indicated by the key signature. Name its tonic and its leading tone, and justify how you determined the key from the sharps.
✓ Model answer (earns the point)
The key is A major. To find it, take the last sharp in the signature (G♯), which functions as the leading tone (scale degree 7); the major tonic is a half step above it — A. So the tonic is A and the leading tone is G♯.
Why it scores: Correctly names the key (A major), identifies tonic (A) and leading tone (G♯), AND states the rule used (last sharp + a half step = tonic). Just writing "A major" without the justification would earn only partial credit.
B
Write the A major scale ascending from tonic to tonic, listing all eight pitches with correct accidentals, and state between which scale degrees the two half steps occur.
✓ Model answer (earns the point)
Ascending, the A major scale is A – B – C♯ – D – E – F♯ – G♯ – A. This follows the major-scale pattern W–W–H–W–W–W–H, so the two half steps fall between scale degrees 3–4 (C♯–D) and 7–8 (G♯–A).
Why it scores: Lists all pitches with the correct three accidentals (C♯, F♯, G♯) AND locates both half steps by scale degree. Forgetting an accidental (e.g., writing C instead of C♯) or misplacing a half step loses the point.
C
The excerpt is in 6/8. Classify the meter, state how many beats are in each measure and which note value receives the beat, and explain how each beat divides.
✓ Model answer (earns the point)
6/8 is compound duple meter. There are two beats per measure, and the dotted quarter note receives the beat. Because the meter is compound, each beat divides into three eighth notes (giving six eighths per measure total). The "duple" describes the two beats; "compound" describes the three-part division of each beat.
Why it scores: Names the meter type (compound duple), gives beats per measure (2) and the beat unit (dotted quarter), AND explains the three-part division. A common error is calling 6/8 "simple sextuple" (six beats) — on the exam it is felt in two.
How to score points on AP Music Theory free response
Answer the exact verb. "Identify" wants a name; "explain" or "justify" wants the name plus the reasoning or rule behind it.
Show your rule, not just your answer. Stating "last sharp + a half step = tonic" earns credit even if a reader wants to see your process.
Spell accidentals correctly. In A major it must be C♯, F♯, G♯ — the right pitch with the wrong spelling can still be marked wrong.
For meter, decide simple vs. compound first. Ask how the beat divides (2 vs. 3) before you name beats per measure.
Be concise and specific. A few precise sentences with correct terminology score higher than long, vague descriptions.