100+ Free NCEA Level 3 Making Music Practice Questions
Prepare for the NCEA Level 3 Making Music (NZQA Assessment Standards 91422 & 91425) exam with instant access — no signup required.
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Key Facts: NCEA Level 3 Making Music Exam
Prepare for NCEA Level 3 Making Music with 100 targeted practice questions covering Roman numeral harmony, chromatic chords, voice leading rules, modulation, structural forms, and musical works analysis.
Sample NCEA Level 3 Making Music Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your NCEA Level 3 Making Music exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1In standard Roman numeral harmonic analysis under AS 91421, which scale degree serves as the root of the dominant triad in any major or minor key?
2Which chord quality is formed by building a triad on scale degree 2 (ii) in a standard major key?
3What cadence is produced when a harmonic phrase ends with a progression from chord V (or V7) to chord I?
4In harmonic music analysis, what name is given to a cadential progression moving from chord IV (Subdominant) to chord I (Tonic)?
5What is the relative minor key of F major?
6In minor key harmonic analysis (harmonic minor scale), which note is conventionally raised by an accidental to create a proper leading note?
7Which Roman numeral correctly represents a dominant seventh chord in major or minor key analysis?
8What non-harmonic pitch embellishment occurs when a melodic note moves by step up or down away from a chord tone, and then returns to the same chord tone?
9Which interval structure forms a standard diminished triad?
10What key signature is indicated by three sharps (F#, C#, G#)?
About the NCEA Level 3 Making Music Exam
This study set provides 100 high-quality practice questions for NCEA Level 3 Making Music. While official NZQA examinations require written score analysis, harmonic realization, and multi-paragraph essays, this practice bank adapts core learning objectives into English-language multiple-choice format to help students master harmonic and tonal procedures (AS 91422) and examine music works in context (AS 91425).
Assessment
NZQA lists AS 91420 (integrate aural skills into written representation, 4 credits) under Making Music at Level 3; it is examined in an aural session. The harmonic, tonal and music-work analysis standards this bank covers, AS 91421 and AS 91423, sit under the sibling subject Music Studies and are examined in their own session. Performance, composition, arranging and research standards AS 91416 to AS 91419, AS 91422, AS 91424 and AS 91425 are internally assessed.
Time Limit
3 hours
Passing Score
Graded Not Achieved, Achieved, Merit or Excellence against the standard criteria; NZQA publishes no percentage pass mark.
Exam Fee
No NZQA entry fee for domestic New Zealand secondary school candidates. International candidates are charged NZ$383.30 per year (NZQA fees schedule effective 1 January 2026, GST inclusive). (New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA))
NCEA Level 3 Making Music Exam Content Outline
AS 91422: Harmonic and Tonal Procedures
Advanced Roman numeral identification, diatonic seventh chords, Neapolitan 6th (N6), secondary dominants, augmented 6th chords (Italian, French, German), modulations via pivot chords, voice leading (parallelism rules, resolutions), suspensions, and non-chord tones.
AS 91425: Examination of Music Works
Comprehensive structural analysis of Western art music, jazz/popular music, and Aotearoa New Zealand compositions. Examines motivic development, form (sonata-allegro, rondo, theme & variations, binary/ternary), texture, orchestration/timbre, and socio-historical influences.
How to Pass the NCEA Level 3 Making Music Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Graded Not Achieved, Achieved, Merit or Excellence against the standard criteria; NZQA publishes no percentage pass mark.
- Assessment: NZQA lists AS 91420 (integrate aural skills into written representation, 4 credits) under Making Music at Level 3; it is examined in an aural session. The harmonic, tonal and music-work analysis standards this bank covers, AS 91421 and AS 91423, sit under the sibling subject Music Studies and are examined in their own session. Performance, composition, arranging and research standards AS 91416 to AS 91419, AS 91422, AS 91424 and AS 91425 are internally assessed.
- Time limit: 3 hours
- Exam fee: No NZQA entry fee for domestic New Zealand secondary school candidates. International candidates are charged NZ$383.30 per year (NZQA fees schedule effective 1 January 2026, GST inclusive).
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
NCEA Level 3 Making Music Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
What assessment standards are featured in NCEA Level 3 Making Music external examinations?
The external examination component focuses on AS 91422 (Demonstrate understanding of harmonic and tonal procedures in music analysis, 4 credits) and AS 91425 (Examine music works, 4 credits).
What advanced harmonic concepts are covered in AS 91422?
AS 91422 tests chromatic harmony including Neapolitan sixth chords (N6), secondary dominants (e.g. V7/V, V7/iv), augmented sixth chords (Italian, French, German), pivot chord modulations to related keys, voice leading rules (resolving 7ths and leading notes), and non-harmonic tones such as suspensions and appoggiaturas.
How does this practice bank prepare students for AS 91425 music work analysis?
Questions examine key structural forms, compositional devices (such as ostinato, sequence, augmentation, imitation), texture, timbre, and historical context across orchestral, chamber, jazz, and New Zealand works (e.g., Douglas Lilburn, Gillian Whitehead).
How are NCEA Level 3 Music grades evaluated by NZQA?
Grades are awarded at Not Achieved (N), Achieved (A), Merit (M), and Excellence (E). Higher grades require detailed technical accuracy, fluent harmonic identification, and insightful context-specific evaluation.