<p>I doubt anyone is going to think AP Music theory is an easy “A”, music theory is a pretty rigorous subject, even taught in an AP course. My experience with AP English btw is that some schools might let you get out of a core course or two with it, but most still required students to take freshmen composition, though it could get them placed in an honors section. If going into a non music program AP music theory could get you out of an arts requirement but it depends on the school. </p>
<p>If going into a music program taking the AP test itself will mean nothing in terms of getting into the school. Having AP music theory in high school might place you into a higher level theory class in college, though to be honest, I wonder about if that is true. For one thing, schools have their own way of teaching theory, and there even can be different terminology and symbols used from program to program, so what you learn on the AP might not translate, and given the comprehensiveness of many music school theory programs, I would doubt the AP by itself would get you placed into a higher level course. </p>
<p>Taking the AP class itself might have value in getting comfortable with the basics and filling in holes in knowledge, and that isn’t a bad thing, but if taking the AP music theory class means taking on additional load, time that could be better spent practicing or taking care of the rest of the grueling load, I would say not to take it and perhaps do some work on your own, there are books like “Music theory for Dummies” and stuff that aren’t bad:)</p>