The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) is a globally recognized institution that provides music exams and assessments to over 650,000 candidates in 93 countries every year.
1. What is ABRSM Exams
The ABRSM offers a range of exams, including graded music exams, diploma exams, and music theory exams. The graded music exams are the most common and are available for a wide range of instruments, including piano, violin, guitar, and voice, as well as for ensembles. These exams assess students' performance, musical theory, and aural skills, with grades ranging from 1 to 8.
2. Why ABRSM Exams Are Useful for Students
In the United States, the ABRSM exams are becoming increasingly popular among students from kindergarten through 12th grade for various reasons:
Structured Learning: The ABRSM syllabus provides a structured framework for learning music, ensuring that students develop a comprehensive understanding of their instrument, music theory, and aural skills.
Motivation and Goal Setting: Preparing for exams gives students clear goals to work towards, helping to motivate them in their practice and studies.
Recognition and Accreditation: ABRSM qualifications are internationally recognized, which can be beneficial for students applying to colleges or music schools in the future.
Feedback and Progress Tracking: The detailed feedback provided by examiners helps students understand their strengths and areas for improvement, allowing them to track their progress over time.
3. Music Theory Exam (Online)
Grading System: There will be a total of 75 marks available, and the online exams from Grade 1 to 5 will be marked automatically. Candidates will need at least 50 marks for a pass, 60 marks for a Merit, and 65 marks for a distinction.Candidates for Practical and Performance Grades 6, 7, and 8 must pass Music Theory Grade 5.
Due to the pandemic, the Music theory exam is now available online.
A link will be provided to candidates who have booked an exam, which will enable them to try-out the whole test experience. This gives them the advantage of being more prepared and ready for the test.
Candidates for Practical and Performance Grades 6, 7, and 8 must pass Music Theory Grade 5.
4. Practical Exam
The practical exam includes performance skills through song or pieces, technical skills through scales and arpeggios, notation skills through a sight-reading test, listening skills, and musical perception through aural tests.
The Practical Exam is graded out of 150 points total. It includes:
Three Pieces assigned from the ABRSM syllabus (3 x 30 points)
Scales and arpeggios (21 points)
Sight-Reading Test (21 points)
Aural -Ear Training Test (18 points)
Grading System:
Total marks in all individual Practical graded 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
5. Performance Grade (Performance Exam-Online)
ABRSM provides a great opportunity for music performers to examine their performance level by submitting their video of the performance to their online exam booking service. Performance Grades offer an additional way to musical progress, and you can also switch between the Performance and Practical exams as you progress through the grades. The Performance Grades and the Practical Grades are equivalent in demand and value to the existing graded music exams, but the Performance Grades has a different emphasis on performance.
About The Exam:
Remotely-assessed performance exam, available to Students Grades 1 - 8
Fully Online: The Candidate will submit the video on the date the book; they don’t need to perform on the scheduled date.
Four pieces or songs are required to perform: three from the syllabus, one from your own choice.
Grading System:
Total marks in all individual Practical graded exams are 150. The four pieces or songs will be marked individually with 30 marks each
100 marks are required to pass
120 marks are required to pass with merit
130 marks are required to pass with distinction
6. ARSM (Diploma Degree)
ARSM (Associate of the Royal Schools of Music) is an exam for advanced students; it mainly focuses on students’ performance skills.
Exam Pre-Requirement: Students must pass Grade 8 practical or performance exams.
About the Exam:
ARSM centers on the art and craft of musical performance through a 30-minute performance program, which students put together based on their individual musical strengths and passions. The exam lasts for 30 minutes and includes:
20 minutes of music chosen from the ARSM repertoire list.
10 minutes piece/pieces from your own-choice repertoire
Benefits of taking the ARSM Exam:
Bridges the gap between Grade-8 and DipABRSM.
Since ARSM is entirely focused on performance, this enables students to develop specifically these skills.
ARSM allows students to focus solely on building a program, putting together a musical sequence lasting half an hour, without the requirement to study for a written or oral test
ARSM could be seen as a preparatory step for the 3 components of DipABRSM and beyond because it focuses on the performance's central area.
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