How to get AMusTCL for theory by self learning?

I am preparing AMusTCL by self-study. I would advise the following:

1. Comparing the other existing qualifications at the same level (or lower or higher), such as DipMusLCM, AMusLCM and LMusTCL. There is no prerequisite for DipMusLCM. AMusLCM and AMusTCL. One needs to have Grade 8 Theory in Music in order to pursue for LMusTCL, which is higher than AMusTCL.

2. Reading through all the syllabus and the sample papers, which are available for free in the respective websites. Once again, understand thoroughly to see which format of exam is more suitable to your ability. AMusTCL is a single paper of 3 hours, where as AMusLCM consists of two 3-hours papers. I personally feel AMusTCL is better in this sense.

3. AMusTCL requires less essay writing, compared with DipMusLCM or AMusLCM. At least you can choose to answer structural questions in Section B. Good writing skills in English, in the context of music is demanded.

4. Availability of the exam. Will that be difficult for you to find an exam centre to register for the exam? Any local representative? Trinity College London local representative at my area (Penang) is very helpful in advising me the registration process, exam fees and dates, even I will only take in exam in November 2019!

5. Fees! Money is a factor in taking this exam. Which qualification can you afford?

6. How much of time can you allocate to study? Are you a full time student or a busy working adult? Since different syllabus requires certain areas of study, you might roughly calculate the workload that you need in each week and how much of time do you need to spend to study. I am a busy medical personnel working in a hospital with certain days to on-call, and at the same time I am pursuing law degree. Thus, despite I can straight away to sit for LMusTCL with my Grade 8 Theory in Music, but with very limited of time I think AMusTCL suits me better. So, this varies from a person to another.

7. Study materials. DipMusLCM has most of its study materials available free in the website to be downloaded. As I said, most of it, but not completely everything. Past papers can be purchased online and then downloaded and printed. Anna Butterworth's Harmony in Practice is very helpful in tackling Section A. Of course, you can purchase online the Revised 2017 Study Guide AMusTCL which explains the exam well. And you need to buy some scores for Section B.

8. Your previous musical knowledge: If you have learned and sat for Grade 5, 6, 7 and 8 Theory of Music (in this manner, progressively), you probably have gained a good foundation in Harmony. Despite there is not prerequisite for AMusTCL, but I still believe that one must have a Grade 8, or at least its corresponding knowledge in order to study AMusTCL. At the end of the day, it is still a Diploma qualification and definitely much demanding than Grade 8.