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Parent's Guide for Practical Exams
Parent's Guide for Practical Exams
Here are some guidelines and tips for parents/guardians of children being entered for a graded music examination.
Why take a graded music examination?
An examination can motivate pupils to achieve a set goal by nurturing the ethos of ‘Enjoyment through Achievement’. Examinations can provide an internationally recognised standard benchmark of achievement.
Exams are not mandatory - it is not a requirement of our programmes of study that a student takes public grade examinations such as those provided by the Associated Board or Trinity Guildhall. No pupil will be forced against his or her will to take an examination.
What preparation is required for the examination?
There is a published syllabus for each examination available at your local music shop.
There are four elements to the examination:
- Exam pieces - these are pieces of music set by the exam board, appropriate for assessment at each grade level.
- Scales and arpeggios - these must be played from memory and increase in complexity with each higher grade level.
- Sight reading - this assesses the candidate’s ability to read and play music they have not seen before.
- Aural tests - these can include singing back phrases, sight singing, identifying modulations, and discussing a piece of music played by the examiner.
Tip: the exam pieces usually go well during the examination. However, the other three elements are also important and unless prepared comprehensively, candidates can needlessly lose marks in those areas.
How much does entering for an exam cost?
The fees for examinations vary according to the grade being taken (and vary between Exam Boards).
Most exams also require a piano accompanist to play along with the candidate's exam pieces. You must be able to provide your own piano accompanist for an exam, as this is not usually a service offered by the exam board.
A piano accompanist is not required when the candidate is entered for Prep Test level exams. Candidates entered for piano examinations also do not require a piano accompanist. Usually guitar exams do not require piano accompaniment, although the Associated Board syllabus does offer options in Grades 1 and 2, and in Grades 6-8 for pieces with piano accompaniment if desired.
Taking an exam
If you are interested in your child taking an exam, have them ask their tutor for details. Please be aware that tutors will only enter candidates for exams when they have been suitably prepared (i.e. when the syllabus and exam pieces have been taught to the required standard). Applications must be made before the closing dates - visit the exam board's website to find out when exams take place and when to apply.
Tips for exam success
- As ever, regular practice of all elements of the examination, and regular attendance at lessons are essential. Tutors will work to a careful programme of study that will enable the pupil to reach the required standard.
- Scales and arpeggios are not the most interesting element to prepare. A great deal of discipline is required to get these up to standard. Many marks can be needlessly lost here.
- Parents can help enormously by supervising some practice sessions.
- Join one of our training or performing groups. This will help greatly in building confidence, improving intonation and in developing fluent sight reading skills.