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ABRSM · Grade 5 · Syllabus & study guide

ABRSM Grade 5 Music Theory — Complete Syllabus & Study Guide

9 topics47 questions120 min94 marks

The ABRSM Grade 5 music theory exam tests how confidently you read, write and understand notation at this level. A typical paper runs about 47 questions in 120 minutes for 94 marks, mixing identification, writing and matching tasks — the same shape as the real exam.

This guide lists every one of the 9 syllabus topics for Grade 5, each with a one-line summary and a suggested practice dose, plus the exact paper structure, a free full-length mock test, and a step-by-step study plan. Everything linked here is free to use.

Compared with ABRSM Grade 4, the genuinely new material at Grade 5 is: Irregular time — 5/4, 5/8, 7/4, 7/8, All key signatures, Intervals — augmented, diminished, compound, Cadences, Figured bass (intro), SATB voice leading, Transposition by any interval, Melody composition, Ornaments & score reading. Everything else consolidates and extends earlier grades — so shore up old ground first, then attack the new topics.

What's in the exam

Our free mock paper mirrors the question-type distribution of a real ABRSM Grade 5 paper. Section by section:

  1. Note identification — 4 × 1 mark (4 marks)
  2. Rhythm tapping — 4 × 2 marks (8 marks)
  3. Bar division — 3 × 2 marks (6 marks)
  4. Key signatures — 5 × 2 marks (10 marks)
  5. Intervals — 6 × 2 marks (12 marks)
  6. Scale writing — 3 × 3 marks (9 marks)
  7. Triad identification — 4 × 2 marks (8 marks)
  8. Chord building — 3 × 3 marks (9 marks)
  9. Cadence identification — 5 × 2 marks (10 marks)
  10. Transposition — 3 × 4 marks (12 marks)
  11. Flashcards — 6 × 1 mark (6 marks)
94 marks total, 120 minutes. See the full mock paper →

Syllabus topics

Work through these in order — each topic builds on the one before it. The count in brackets is the practice dose we recommend per sitting.

  1. 1
    Irregular time — 5/4, 5/8, 7/4, 7/8
    Counting and bar-line placement in irregular meters. (~12 practice questions)
  2. 2
    All key signatures
    C# major / A# minor to Cb major / Ab minor — 7 sharps / 7 flats. (~12 practice questions)
  3. 3
    Intervals — augmented, diminished, compound
    All qualities, all inversions, up to two octaves. (~18 practice questions)
  4. 4
    Cadences
    Perfect, plagal, imperfect, interrupted — in major and minor. (~15 practice questions)
  5. 5
    Figured bass (intro)
    Realising simple figures: 6, 6/4, 7. (~10 practice questions)
  6. 6
    SATB voice leading
    No parallel 5ths/8ves, no voice crossing, ranges respected. (~6 practice questions)
  7. 7
    Transposition by any interval
    Melodic transposition between any two keys. (~10 practice questions)
  8. 8
    Melody composition
    Completing an 8-bar phrase to given opening and cadence. (~4 practice questions)
  9. 9
    Ornaments & score reading
    Turn, appoggiatura, and higher-level score analysis terms. (~10 practice questions)

How to prepare

  1. Work through the topics in order — start at topic 1 and move down the list above in order. Pair each topic with the free reference pages on intervals, key signatures, scales and triads.
  2. Learn the vocabulary — Italian terms and signs are the easiest marks to lose. Keep the music theory glossary open and review a handful of terms a day until they all stick.
  3. Sit the free mock under timed conditions — once you have covered the topics, sit the free ABRSM Grade 5 mock test under timed conditions — 47 questions, 120 minutes, instant scoring, no signup.
  4. Review mistakes and re-sit — go back to the topics you dropped marks on, drill them, then re-sit from the ABRSM Grade 5 mock paper page. Aim for a stable 80%+ before exam day.

Frequently asked questions

What is in the ABRSM Grade 5 music theory exam?
The ABRSM Grade 5 theory paper covers 9 syllabus topics: Irregular time — 5/4, 5/8, 7/4, 7/8, All key signatures, Intervals — augmented, diminished, compound, Cadences and 5 more topics. A typical paper has around 47 questions and lasts 120 minutes.
How many questions is the ABRSM Grade 5 theory paper?
Around 47 questions, mixing identification, writing and matching tasks across the syllabus topics.
How long is the ABRSM Grade 5 theory exam?
120 minutes.
Is ABRSM Grade 5 music theory hard?
Manageable with steady practice. The grade covers 9 topics; the genuinely new material versus Grade 4 is Irregular time — 5/4, 5/8, 7/4, 7/8, All key signatures, Intervals — augmented, diminished, compound, Cadences, Figured bass (intro), SATB voice leading, Transposition by any interval, Melody composition, Ornaments & score reading — everything else consolidates earlier grades.
Where can I take a free ABRSM Grade 5 theory mock test?
Theory Practice hosts a free ABRSM Grade 5 mock paper with instant scoring at https://theorypractice.app/mocks/ABRSM/5 — no signup required.

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