2020 was a bumpy road for ABRSM Music and Music Theory Exams. March 2020 exams just about happened before the pandemic hit - then chaos! The June 2020 exam session was cancelled. Meanwhile, the world turned digital. Today our music exam landscape looks very different, with online and face to face exams to choose from...
Performance Grades
These are available for every grade up to 8 and include the ASRM. They require 4 pieces at that grade level, 'performed' and recorded on video ( a good mobile phone camera will do) and submitted to the ABRSM by a certain date. Importantly, there is no need to sit in front of an examiner, and scales, sight reading and aural tests are not included in this exam. Generally, you can apply at the beginning of the previous month, and submit by the end of the next. So far they seem to be running each month. Session 4 - booking opens 1 -8th of March and entries must be submitted between the 6th and 26th of April, 2021.
Practical Exams
These are our traditional face to face exams. Taken at schools, halls, or music centres and with set application dates for three sessions in the year normally in March/April, June/July and November/December. Some students were able to take exams in November at certain centres or schools where strict Covid Secure conditions were met. The March 2021 was clearly cancelled, however, there are now published dates for a Session 2: Booking opens 26th April to 10th of May, for an exam period of 14 June to 17th July 2021 (for England and Wales) 1 - 26 June for Northern Ireland and Scotland).
Music Theory Exams
If you are studying for your Music Theory - these have also now developed an online format - with new study materials in the form of workbooks, model answer books and practice papers - all available to help you prepare for them. Grades 1 to 5 are now examined online only. The exam dates are split across 6 sessions, the March Session is now closed for bookings. Session 2 - book between the 6 and 13th of April for an exam date of 23rd of May.
Grades 6-8 are still examined in person. Session 2 - bookings open 4 - 11 May and the exam date is 18th of June at 10am. Session 3 will be in September/October.
In the meantime, let Starter Music support you in your musical journey - with our comprehensive and best priced range of ABRSM Sheet Music.