Section I of the exam consists of four-option multiple choice questions; the total number varies each year.
The first is melodic dictation, in which a one-part melody is played two or three times while a starting pitch, time signature, and key are given on the answer sheet, and the student must accurately record both the pitch and value of the played notes.
The part-writing part of section II requires that the student—using knowledge of "eighteenth century composition guidelines" (as indicated on CollegeBoard's latest rubric and on the released 2003-2006 exams on AP Central), standard circle-of-fifths chord progressions, cadences, voicing, and part ranges—write a short two-part or four-part texture given starting pitch, key, time signature, and more information that varies with each question.
For questions with supplied figured bass notation and completed bass line, the student must write the Roman numeral notation of each chord and fill in the remaining tenor, alto, and soprano lines.
For the question with the supplied Roman numeral notation, the student must write all four (SATB) parts of the texture.
The written starting pitch will be played, and the student will have 75 seconds to practice aloud any parts that he or she desires.
Transposition of the key is allowed for voice comfort as stated on each year's directions.