Practical Grade Piano exams consist of three pieces, scales and arpeggios, sight-reading, and aural tests.
Total marks in all individual Practical exams are 150. You need 100 marks to achieve Pass, 120 marks to pass with Merit and 130 marks to pass with Distinction.
There are nine levels of assessment for Piano – Initial Grade and Grades 1 to 8.
Download Syllabus here:
Practical Violin exams consist of three pieces, chosen by the candidate from the appropriate lists in the current syllabus, scales and arpeggios, sight-reading and aural tests.
Total marks in all individual Practical exams are 150. 100 marks are required to achieve Pass, 120 marks to pass with Merit and 130 marks to pass with Distinction.
There are nine grades of assessment.
Download Syllabus here:
Practical Saxophone exams consist of three pieces, chosen by the candidate from the appropriate lists in the current syllabus, scales and arpeggios, sight-reading and aural tests.
Total marks in all individual Practical exams are 150. 100 marks are required to achieve Pass, 120 marks to pass with Merit and 130 marks to pass with Distinction.
There are eight grades of assessment.
Download Syllabus here:
Music Theory Grades
Our Music Theory Grades assess a candidate’s knowledge and understanding of the way music works. We believe that developing this knowledge and understanding helps musicians at all levels to perform with greater sensitivity, awareness and control.
What levels are available?
Exams are available at eight levels: Grades 1 to 8.
What does the syllabus cover?
The syllabus covers the essential building blocks of music. This starts with the basics of rhythm and notes at Grades 1 to 5, then adds harmony and counterpoint, composition, and a broad knowledge of western music at Grades 6 to 8.
Grade 5 Music Theory: a prerequisite for Practical and Performance Grades 6 to 8
Candidates must pass Music Theory Grade 5 or above before taking a Practical or Performance Grade 6, 7 or 8. This is to make sure they have a good understanding of the elements of music, something that will prepare them for success at these higher grades. We also accept a Grade 5 pass in Practical Musicianship or a solo Jazz subject.
Download Grade 1-5 Syllabus here:
Download Grade 6-8 Syllabus here:
Singing exams from 2018 consist of three accompanied songs at all grades, chosen by the candidate from the appropriate lists in the current syllabus, an unaccompanied song, sight-singing and aural tests. Grade 6–8 exams up until the end of 2017 consist of four accompanied songs rather than three.
Total marks in all individual Practical exams are 150. 100 marks are required to achieve Pass, 120 marks to pass with Merit and 130 marks to pass with Distinction.
There are eight grades of assessment.
Download Syllabus here:
Practical Trumpet / Cornet / Flugelhorn exams consist of three pieces, chosen by the candidate from the appropriate lists in the current syllabus, scales and arpeggios, sight-reading and aural tests.
Total marks in all individual Practical exams are 150. 100 marks are required to achieve Pass, 120 marks to pass with Merit and 130 marks to pass with Distinction.
There are eight grades of assessment.
Download Syllabus here:
Guitar exams consist of three pieces, scales and arpeggios, sight-reading and aural tests.
Total marks in all individual Practical exams are 150. You need 100 marks to achieve Pass, 120 marks to pass with Merit and 130 marks to pass with Distinction.
There are eight grades of assessment.
Download Syllabus here:
Percussion (Combined) exams consist of three pieces, studies or scales and arpeggios, sight-reading and aural tests.
Total marks in all individual Practical exams are 150. 100 marks are required to achieve a Pass, 120 to pass with Merit and 130 marks to pass with Distinction.
There are eight grades of assessment.
Download Syllabus here:
Bass Guitar exams consist of three pieces, scales and arpeggios, sight-reading and aural tests.
Total marks in all individual Practical exams are 150. You need 100 marks to achieve Pass, 120 marks to pass with Merit and 130 marks to pass with Distinction.
There are eight grades of assessment.
Download Syllabus here:
