Overview

​

The main objective of learning music is undoubtedly to acquire the necessary skills to perform a wide range on music. When preparing for the exams, you can choose from a wide list of pieces chosen for your grade, each offering to you an opportunity to develop new skills.

​

To succeed in Practical exams, candidates need a combination of skills and understanding. Broadly the assessments is based on:

​

• Performance skills through pieces or songs

• Technical skills through scales and arpeggios

• Listening skills and musical perception through aural tests

​

Marking Criteria

 

Total marks in all Practical exams are 150.

• 100 marks are required to pass

• 120 marks are required to pass with merit

• 130 marks are required to pass with distinction

​

What to expect during the exams?

 

The Practical exams are set in 4 parts:

​

• Three Pieces or songs: The candidate prepares and presents three Pieces or songs from the relevant syllabus. Each piece marked out of 30.

​

• Sight-reading: The candidate is given a piece of music and is given up to 30 seconds in which to look through the music and, if needed, be allowed to try any part of the test before performing. Sight-reading is marked out of 21.

​

• Scales and Arpeggios: All are played from memory in the exam. Examiners will usually ask for at least one type of scale/arpeggio required at each grade and aim to hear a balance of the articulations requirements. Scales and arpeggios are marked out of 21.

​

• Aural tests: The examiner administers aural tests from the piano. They are the same for all instruments, uses the same group of tests, and are carefully graded from basic recognition of rhythm and memory of short phrases. For test that requires a sung response, pitch rather than vocal quality is assessed. The pass mark is 12 and the maximum mark is 18.

​

​

​