An apparatus and a method for controlling a washing machine. The washing machine control apparatus includes a mechanical timer and a controller including a microcomputer. The mechanical timer has a plurality of cam switches for controlling the steps of washing, rinsing and dehydrating by the washing machine, and the cam switches are actuated so as to open and close a feed water valve and a drain valve and to instruct the control to drive a drive motor according to a selected operation pattern. The controller controls the drive motor and drives a washing tube through an agitating member and includes a memory for storing a plurality of motor operation patterns corresponding to the washing, rinsing and dehydrating steps, so that the drive motor is driven according to an operation pattern controlled by the mechanical timer and stored in the memory of the controller.