# ABRSM Music Theory Trainer — user reviews > 67 indexed App Store user reviews of ABRSM Music Theory Trainer by The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (Publishing) Limited, rated 3.70/5 from 10 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/abrsm-music-theory-trainer/id1415709055/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/abrsm-music-theory-trainer/id1415709055.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 6 · 4★ 0 · 3★ 1 · 2★ 1 · 1★ 2 ## Newest reviews (19 of 67) ### 3/5 — Pretty good but has a few bugs *2026-03-16* The overall app was pretty accurate to the test paper and the questions were good but I found a bug is that when you drag something into a box too fast it doesn’t show the ‘’show answer’’ button ### 4/5 — need Chinese *2025-10-21* 什么时候更新中文 ### 2/5 — Wrong multiple choice answers that were confusing. *2025-09-11* I am using this app to check my knowledge. However, I found that some questions, especially in grade 5, were incorrect. That’s confusing to me a lot! ### 4/5 — Reasonable, but! *2025-03-25* It tests what it’s supposed to and is therefore worth having. It feels old fashioned. I don’t see any means of resetting the scoring. Having been through it once I would like to go through it again starting with zero scores, otherwise its difficult to see where you are up to, as all the tests say they have been completed. The tests contain the same questions in the same order. it would be much more interesting to have questions for each set picked randomly from a larger set of questions otherwise you can learn the sequence of answers before really onboarding the knowledge. With a larger base set of questions it would be beneficial to feed the learner with more questions aimed at their weak points. ### 4/5 — Pretty good *2025-02-06, version 2.0.1* Good but dosnt tell you everything and have to guess some things and doesn’t tell you when your wrong ### 2/5 — font size too small *2024-05-15, version 2.0.0* font size is too small for the scale questions ### 2/5 — OK but well behind similar apps *2024-03-14* This app is very basic. The functionality is clunky, and it has not kept pace with similar development of teaching apps. Particular annoyances - Sometimes knowledge is quizzed that hasn’t been introduced previously: e.g. what legato, staccato, etc are. This is annoying and not conducive to learning. - it isn’t explained why you got a question wrong: just that it is wrong with an option to reveal the answer, which makes this basically flash cards. Some additional explainer text for questions would be helpful. - the format is pretty stale and interactive; as above basically just flash cards presented in different ways: things like mock papers, actual sound-based exercises, options to get a mix of questions from across topics, would all be significant improvements - the progress is not intuitive: you can get a green tick in a topic after doing it once, but not actually answered a lot of core questions in the bank. My comparator to this is Duolingo: which obviously has huge resources but great potential to learn from **Developer response:** Hi Nathanicus, Thank you for your feedback on Music Theory Trainer, including adding more information on incorrect questions as well as the wish to have a mix of questions from across topics. Legato and staccato are terms introduced at Grade 1 and our Music Theory requirements are cumulative, i.e. once introduced, they apply to all subsequent grades. ### 4/5 — This app is great *2024-03-13, version 2.0.0* The app is great for ABRSM test preparation. But i think there should be explanations for True/ False questions especially the Terms and Signs Part ### 2/5 — App alone not enough to prepare me for G5 exam *2023-08-22* I found this app less accessible and less comprehensive than free online materials. The app requires you to go through every part of a theory grade to access all the topics, which is tedious. The number of testing questions are small - only one set per topic? I am concerned the ‘basics/knowledge and learning’ and the questions after do not actually cover everything I need! The display is very small and notations can be difficult to read. While a good idea, with lots of potential, I could not recommend this to anyone above other free resources I have found. I only bought this app because of its association with ABRSM, but I am disappointed with my purchase. ### 2/5 — . *2023-04-18, version 1.0.5* I was hoping to use this for specific topics for grade 5 theory, but unlocking levels made this impossible. The ABRSM aural trainer is fab, but this one less so. ### 4/5 — Lack of information on notes for each clef *2023-02-10* The app does not contain all the notes for each clef in the basic (learning section) of the app. It would help enormously if a third slide was included that contained all the ledger line notes for each clef. Along with helpful mnemonics for each clef. ### 4/5 — Good - but some sections too small for iPhone *2022-11-25, version 1.0.5* Don’t download onto iPhone if you have iPad unless you can buy the app and download to ‘many’ devices. Some sections too small to read on iPhone. ### 2/5 — Not in line with new online exams *2022-10-17, version 1.0.5* Contents not up to date to match up with new online theory exams. ### 2/5 — Can’t unlock info without doing all quizzes *2022-10-01, version 1.0.5* I just wanted to use this for revision but you initially only get 4 quizzes at each grade and you have to complete them all to see the next level. Do us a favour and make it unlockable without wasting time on the basics for those on the higher grades. ### 4/5 — I love this app, but I’d love it even more if you had a random button that went across all grades! *2022-06-12* I love this app, but I’d love it even more if you had a random button that went across all grades! I love this app and use it several times a week, initially, when I was learning and now to keep my mind thinking about music when I’m away from my instruments for a few days. I’d love this app even more if it featured a random question button that could just randomly select a question from any of the 5 grades… then another question… then another question, and so on! Many people, like me, start music theory at fifth grade. If I randomly select a grade I get all the new stuff at that grade, say the newest scales for that grade… but not much else. If I want to revise scales that were new for any other grade, I have to go to that grade… and then I’ll get peppered with nothing but the new stuff from that grade. A random feature across all grades would be a great revision tool for 5th graders. If there was a level choice beside it people could use that to revise up to their current grade, once they’ve achieved familiarity with the new stuff at their grade. ### 3/5 — Good but needs improvement *2022-05-07, version 1.0.5* Content really good but the format display for an mobile phone is far too small. Please improve ! ### 3/5 — Please update to reflect the 2020 syllabus changes *2022-02-04, version 1.0.5* Please urgently advise when you plan to update the app to incorporate the 2020 syllabus changes? My 3 star rating will then become a 5 star rating. ### 3/5 — Great question and answers but not much knowledge involved *2022-01-15* Just starting out learning music theory and for somebody who has yet to learn anything about music theory, I feel there isn’t enough teaching involved in preparation for the questions. Some of the questions are based on topics which haven’t even been covered. It felt like I was having a stab in the dark at some questions. It’s a really great concept that kept me hooked to complete Grade 1 in one sitting but it really does need more in the knowledge and teaching sections before the tests! Please improve this as it really is a fantastic start, just needs more info and explanations. ### 4/5 — Very good, with an inexcusable flaw… *2021-11-21* I’ve only used grades 1 & 2, for which this is an excellent* practice tool. However, it is clearly designed with the iPad in mind. On iPhone 11 Pro (so not even the smallest supported device), exercises such as intervals are so tiny, it’s hard work to read them confidently. It could be easily rectified by tweaking the layout to make them larger and remove useless borders. I’ll upgrade to 5 stars if that comes in a future update! (* - UPDATE: Having just done the grade 2 exam I’ve realised that the app hasn’t been updated for the 2020 syllabus changes, so make sure you don’t rely solely on it!) ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Lazy programming and poor teaching. *2026-08-21* A lazy effort. There is good content here but a poor teaching interface. True/False questions make up a sizeable amount of the content. What’s the point of a ‘Try again feature’ for these? There is no explanation added to wrong answers leaving you clueless as to why. This is especially poor with questions about musical terms where you need to reach for another resource to find the correct answer. No teacher would tell a pupil ‘That’s wrong’ without explaining what the correct answer is and why. Lazy programming and one expects more for a paid app. ### 1/5 — Preppy girl1868🩷🩷 *2025-08-29, version 2.0.1* Not good ### 1/5 — Bad *2024-04-20* The App does not give the reason why an answer is wrong, leaving you to guess why the answer is wrong. Furthermore, it does not give key signatures in intervals, making it nearly impossible to get perfect. Last of all, you cannot zoom in, making it more difficult unfairly. If all the complaints I mentioned have been solved, then this review would have been 6 out or 5. Verrrrry disappointed. ### 1/5 — Qhqh *2024-04-07, version 2.0.0* I don’t like theory ### 1/5 — Zooming in and out *2024-03-01, version 2.0.0* Having the ability to zoom in and out will make the app more functional on mobile. Especially for those with sight problems. The diagrams are too small to view. ### 1/5 — Don’t size too small *2022-01-21, version 1.0.5* In grade two the font size is so tiny it’s impossible to read the questions. ### 1/5 — Bad *2021-11-06, version 1.0.5* I got 1 mistake out of several questions and they had marked the work as yellow. They treat the work unfairly. ### 1/5 — Many mistakes! *2020-01-23, version 1.0.2* Many mistakes in grade 3,please check Very bad! ### 1/5 — I want a refund!!! *2019-12-28, version 1.0.2* Paid the £4.99 and checked out the overview🙂. Thought it would be good but NO😡! This stupid app gets the answer wrong 90% of the time😱😭! No exaggeration. 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯 This isn’t worth anything. ### 1/5 — Unable to load the app. *2019-10-09, version 1.0.2* Paid but the app not load at all. Very upsetting. Paid for nothing. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Terrible *2026-07-30* Taught me nothing and also wasn’t even that much option really simple and not have enough effort put in I really hope they make this better or delete it ### 5/5 — 我的英皇乐理 69/75 *2025-07-25, version 2.0.1* 基础不错，但是应试的话勉强 ### 5/5 — Really Good! *2025-06-23, version 2.0.1* It has really good explanations and is from grade 1 to 5 I really enjoyed it and it’s actually fun! Would do again Definitely recommend it if you have a chance to play ### 5/5 — Excellent app *2022-11-15, version 1.0.5* I am loving this app right now and I am learning how to play the piano at home! I have been doing extremely well and I managed to get to grade 3! I am also on grade 3 theory with my piano teacher. ### 5/5 — So far so good... as part of your study *2022-05-18* Very pleased with my purchase. I use the app to complement the theory trainer books, music theory resources and my piano teacher. You'd never learn enough just using the app but as part of a mix of study techniques it's a great investment and good practise for the online exam. The only snag is that I think you have to unlock it grade by grade which is a pain if you only want to do grade 5 ! ### 5/5 — Very good app for Theory learning *2021-08-12, version 1.0.5* Highly recommend for who wants to get good result in ABRSM Theory exam. ### 5/5 — Great app, but Grade 5 missing a couple elements of syllabus *2021-02-20, version 1.0.5* I am giving this a 5*, This has been a great help refreshing my Grade 1 to 4 knowledge but the following are missing from the new online syllabus Cadences Ornaments as written in a piece of music ### 5/5 — Fantastic, Easy to Use *2020-12-24, version 1.0.5* Fantastic app! I’m really enjoying using it to fit in some music theory study around my fat to day life. Very easy to dip into and do a quick lesson. Lesson explanations are clear and concise. Worth every penny! ### 5/5 — Convenient and useful *2020-11-13, version 1.0.5* Great experience. Please recode such that we can save our progress in each individual exercise and section. It’s frustrating having to redo a section every time I need to exit the app. Thank you :) ### 5/5 — Learnt so much!!! *2020-06-17, version 1.0.3* I am studying for grade 5 music theory, at the start I didn’t know much but this app has helped me ALOT!!! This is such a great app worth every penny. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-03.*