ABRSM Music Exams and Trinity Music Exams (Grades 1-8)

Before reaching professional diploma level, both options offer 8 grades of certificates; syllabuses are similar, although not identical.

ABRSM Exams ABRSM exams range from grades 1-8 and are offered in a variety of instruments, including the piano. Total marks in practical exams are 150; a pass grade is achieved with 100 marks. 120 marks are required to pass with merit and 130 marks are required to pass with distinction. Each exam requires conduct of three pre-prepared pieces, scales and arpeggios, aural tests and sight reading. Pieces and songs are chosen from a pre-determined syllabus, available on ABRSM's websites; at the exam they are marked out of 30. Scales and arpeggios are also determined by the syllabus and are marked out of 21; they must be played from memory! Examiners will usually ask for at least one type of scale or arpeggio required at each grade. Aural tests, marked out of 18, purpose to evaluate the candidate's musical ear. The examiner delivers a set of spoken words and instructions which require a spoken, sung or clapped response. Speed and accuracy in responding to aural tests are important; they tell the examiner a lot about the candidate's musical abilities. Sight reading is tested by giving the candidate a piece of music they have never seen before; the candidate has 30 seconds to look through the piece and try out any part of the test. Sight reading is marked out of 21. Consider that, in order to take any grade higher than grade 5 piano, you must take grade 5 theory of music. ABRSM also offers jazz piano exams; syllabuses are, once again, available on the website.

TCL Exams TCL exams also range from grades 1-8 and are offered in diverse instruments. In many subjects there is also an Initial examination which acts as an introduction to the examination system. Total marks are 100; to pass you must achieve at least 60 points, to pass with merit 75 and to pass with distinction 87. Each exam requires the candidate to practice three pieces, technical work (scales and arpeggios OR technical studies) and two out of four possible choices for backup tests. The three pieces are selected from a wide syllabus which allows candidates to select pieces which emphasize their strengths and reflect their interests; each piece is graded 22 marks. Scales and arpeggios (or a technical study) count for 14 marks. The candidate can then choose two out of the four available backup tests: sight reading, oral, improvisation or musical knowledge. From grades 6-8, sight reading is compulsory while one can be chosen between improvisation or oral. Both chosen tests are marked 10 points. No theory examination is required to take grades higher than grade 5. Trinity also offers music certificate exams, which consist of a performance of pieces without technical work or backup tests. Trinity also offers rock and pop exams.

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