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AP Music Theory Practice Quiz: Major Scales and Scale Degrees

Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026

Test your understanding with short quizzes. This quiz has 13 questions to check your progress.

Question 1 of 13

According to the provided text, what is the term for the central pitch to which all other pitches in a scale relate?

All Questions (13)

According to the provided text, what is the term for the central pitch to which all other pitches in a scale relate?

A) Dominant

B) Mediant

C) Tonic

D) Leading Tone

Correct Answer: C

The provided content explicitly states that pitches of a scale function relative to a central pitch, called the tonic.

Major scales are formed by a specific, ordered pattern of which two types of intervals?

A) Thirds and fifths

B) Half and whole steps

C) Leaps and steps

D) Perfect and major intervals

Correct Answer: B

The content specifies that 'Pitches arranged in specific patterns of half and whole steps in ascending or descending order form major and minor scales.'

What is the scale degree name for the fifth pitch of a major scale?

A) Subdominant

B) Tonic

C) Mediant

D) Dominant

Correct Answer: D

The fifth scale degree is called the dominant. The scale degree names provided are tonic (1), supertonic (2), mediant (3), subdominant (4), dominant (5), submediant (6), and leading tone (7).

The scale degree name 'mediant' corresponds to which scale degree number?

A) 2

B) 3

C) 4

D) 6

Correct Answer: B

The mediant is the third pitch of the scale. The order is tonic (1), supertonic (2), mediant (3).

The notated scale below represents which major scale?

A) C Major

B) D Major

C) F Major

D) G Major

Correct Answer: D

The scale begins and ends on G, establishing it as the tonic. The pattern of whole and half steps, including the F-sharp, correctly forms a G major scale.

In the C major scale shown, what is the scale degree name of the circled note?

A) Mediant

B) Subdominant

C) Dominant

D) Submediant

Correct Answer: D

The circled note is A, which is the sixth pitch in a C major scale (C=1, D=2, E=3, F=4, G=5, A=6). The sixth scale degree is called the submediant.

In the F major scale shown, the circled note corresponds to which scale degree number?

A) 2

B) 4

C) 5

D) 7

Correct Answer: B

The circled note is B-flat. In an F major scale, B-flat is the fourth pitch (F=1, G=2, A=3, B-flat=4). Therefore, it is scale degree 4.

If a piece of performed music is clearly in the key of D major, what is the function of the pitch F-sharp?

A) Tonic

B) Supertonic

C) Mediant

D) Dominant

Correct Answer: C

In the key of D major, the scale is D(1), E(2), F-sharp(3), G(4), A(5), B(6), C-sharp(7). The pitch F-sharp is the third scale degree, which is called the mediant.

Which of the following scale degree names refers to the seventh degree of a major scale, located a half step below the tonic?

A) Subtonic

B) Submediant

C) Leading Tone

D) Supertonic

Correct Answer: C

The leading tone is the seventh degree of the major scale and is characterized by its position a half step below the tonic, creating a strong pull towards it.

Given the key signature for E-flat major, what is the function of the notated pitch?

A) Tonic

B) Mediant

C) Dominant

D) Subdominant

Correct Answer: D

The key signature of three flats indicates E-flat major. The scale is Eb(1), F(2), G(3), Ab(4). The notated pitch is A-flat, which is the fourth scale degree, or the subdominant.

Besides scale degree names (tonic, supertonic, etc.), what is the other system mentioned for referring to the function of pitches within a scale?

A) Solfège syllables

B) Roman numerals

C) Scale degree numbers

D) Letter names

Correct Answer: C

The provided text states that pitches 'are referred to with scale degree names... or scale degree numbers.'

You hear a melody in a major key that ends on the second pitch of the scale. What is the scale degree name for this final pitch?

A) Tonic

B) Supertonic

C) Mediant

D) Leading Tone

Correct Answer: B

The second pitch of any major or minor scale is referred to by the scale degree name 'supertonic.' This question tests the ability to connect a performed event (ending on the second degree) to its theoretical name.

What is the scale degree name for the pitch a whole step above the tonic?

A) Mediant

B) Dominant

C) Leading Tone

D) Supertonic

Correct Answer: D

The supertonic is scale degree 2. In a major scale, the distance between the tonic (1) and the supertonic (2) is a whole step.