While most of the information contained will likely apply to all ABRSM exams, there is a chance there might be some country-specific differences. In such a case, it might be a good idea to visit the version of ABRSM website that is most relevant to your country.
WHAT IS ABRSM?
Established in 1889, the ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) is a popular examination board based in the United Kingdom.
The “Schools” portion of the name refers to the four schools which are associated with ABRSM, namely “The Royal Academy of Music”, “The Royal College of Music”, “The Royal Northern College of Music” and “The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland”.
ABRSM provides music exams and assessments to musicians of all levels on a wide variety of musical instruments. Their certificates and diplomas are well respected and recognized around the globe.
According to their website, ABRSM conducts over 650,000 musical assessments every year in more than 90 countries around the world.
TYPES OF ABRSM EXAMS
PRACTICAL EXAMS/GRADES
Practical exams evaluate a candidate’s expertise on their instrument. They are usually done one-on-one with an examiner and can take place either face-to-face or (especially since Covid-19) online (digital exams). In ABRSM, instrumental practical exams consist of four sections: “three pieces”, “scales and arpeggios”, “sight reading” and “aural tests”.
1. Three pieces – for this section, candidates perform three pieces, where each piece represents a different musical tradition or style.
2. Scales and Arpeggios – these are designed to help students build technical proficiency at their respective instrument.
3. Sight Reading – this section of the practical exam is meant to help students develop quick recognition of notes, so they can take music they have never seen before and bring it to live on their instrument. Candidates are given half a minute to glance at a score they have never seen before and are then asked to play it for assessment.
4. Aural Tests – this part of the exam tests the candidate’s ability to hear and recognize important musical elements such as pitch, rhythm, chord quality, etc.
PERFORMANCE EXAMS/GRADES
Performance Exams are digital (online) exams that focus on performance, communication and delivery. There were introduced by ABRSM in 2020 and can either be done in parallel with the Practical Exams or as an alternative to them.
Performance Exams are available at Grades 1 to 8 and are assessed from a video recording submitted by the candidate. There are no booking periods, so they can be booked at any time, at the student’s discretion.
THEORY EXAMS/GRADES
Music theory exams assess a candidate’s understanding of how music works. ABRSM has a total of eight theory levels or grades.
Grades 1-5: Examinations for grades 1-5 of music theory are done online.
Grades 6-8: Examinations for grades 6-8 are paper-based and are done in-person at a specified venue.
LIST OF ABRSM EXAMS
PRACTICAL EXAMS (piano)
Note: exams might differ from instrument to instrument, but for most instruments, they go from Grade 1 to Grade 8. For purposes of demonstration, the following list is for piano. To see a list of practical exams for other instruments, download the appropriate syllabus from the ABRSM website by clicking here.
* Initial Grade
* Grade 1
* Grade 2
* Grade 3
* Grade 4
* Grade 5
* Grade 6
* Grade 7
* Grade 8
PERFORMANCE EXAMS (piano)
Note: exams might differ from instrument to instrument, but for most instruments, they go from Grade 1 to Grade 8. For purposes of demonstration, the following list is for piano. To see a list of performance exams for other instruments, download the appropriate syllabus from the ABRSM website by clicking here.
* Initial Grade
* Grade 1
* Grade 2
* Grade 3
* Grade 4
* Grade 5
* Grade 6
* Grade 7
* Grade 8
THEORY EXAMS
* Initial Grade
* Grade 1
* Grade 2
* Grade 3
* Grade 4
* Grade 5
* Grade 6
* Grade 7
* Grade 8
Source:
The ABRSM Music Theory Syllabus from 2020, Grades 1-5
The ABRSM Music Theory Syllabus from 2020, Grades 6-8
HOW LONG ARE ABRSM EXAMS?
PRACTICAL EXAMS:
FACE-TO-FACE INSTRUMENTS AND SINGING
| EXAM | DURATION |
|---|---|
| Prep Test | 10 mins |
| Initial Grade | 12 mins |
| Grade 1 | 12 mins |
| Grade 2 | 12 mins |
| Grade 3 | 12 mins |
| Grade 4 | 15 mins |
| Grade 5 | 15 mins |
| Grade 6 | 20 mins |
| Grade 7 | 25 mins |
| Grade 8 | 30 mins |
| ARSM | 40 mins |
| Performance Assessment | 15 mins |
THEORY EXAMS
| EXAM | DURATION |
|---|---|
| Grade 1 | 90 mins |
| Grade 2 | 90 mins |
| Grade 3 | 90 mins |
| Grade 4 | 120 mins |
| Grade 5 | 120 mins |
| Grade 6 | 180 mins |
| Grade 7 | 180 mins |
| Grade 8 | 180 mins |
ABRSM EXAM DATES
PRACTICAL GRADES, ARSM, et al.
PERFORMANCE GRADES, DIGITAL ARSM
Source: ca.abrsm.org | 2023
THEORY EXAMS
Source: ca.abrsm.org | 2023
| Online Booking Period | 28 August – 8 September, 2023 |
| Exam Date | Saturday, 28 October, 2023 at 10:00am |
ABRSM EXAM FEES
FACE-TO-FACE INSTRUMENTAL AND SINGING EXAM FEES:
PRACTICAL GRADES, ARSM, AND OTHERS
Source: ca.abrsm.org | 2023
DIGITAL (ONLINE) INSTRUMENTAL AND SINGING EXAM FEES:
PERFORMANCE GRADES AND ARSM
| EXAM | FEE |
|---|---|
| Initial Performance Grade | 104 USD |
| Performance Grade 1 | 116 USD |
| Performance Grade 2 | 130 USD |
| Performance Grade 3 | 135 USD |
| Performance Grade 4 | 140 USD |
| Performance Grade 5 | 144 USD |
| Performance Grade 6 | 173 USD |
| Performance Grade 7 | 210 USD |
| Performance Grade 8 | 239 USD |
| ARSM | 325 USD |
Source: ca.abrsm.org | 2023
THEORY EXAM FEES
| EXAM | FEE |
|---|---|
| Grade 1 Theory (online) | 76 USD |
| Grade 2 Theory (online) | 77 USD |
| Grade 3 Theory (online) | 84 USD |
| Grade 4 Theory (online) | 98 USD |
| Grade 5 Theory (online) | 102 USD |
| Grade 6 Theory (paper-based) | 124 USD |
| Grade 7 Theory (paper-based) | 129 USD |
| Grade 8 Theory (paper-based) | 133 USD |
Source: ca.abrsm.org | 2023
CAN I GET A REFUND FOR MY ABRSM EXAM?
Candidates who do not attend their exam or fail do submit a video/do an online theory exam within the allotted 28 days may be eligible for a partial refund, depending on the circumstances. In cases of an illness or serious injury, proper documentation from an authority figure must be provided in order to be considered for a refund. A brand new booking and payment must be made in order to do the exam again.
More specific information on such policies can be found on the ABRSM website at this link.
HOW ARE ABRSM EXAMS MARKED?
PRACTICAL EXAMS: GRADES Initial - 8
Practical Exams are marked out of a total of 150. Here is how the final mark is categorized:
DISTINCTION: 130
MERIT: 120
PASS: 100
| Piece #1 | 30 marks |
| Piece #2 | 30 marks |
| Piece #3 | 30 marks |
| Scales & Arpeggios | 21 marks |
| Sight Rreading | 21 marks |
| Aural Tests | 18 marks |
| TOTAL: | 150 marks |
Source: ca.abrsm.org | 2023
PERFORMANCE EXAMS
| Piece #1 | 30 marks |
| Piece #2 | 30 marks |
| Piece #3 | 30 marks |
| Piece #4 | 30 marks |
| Performance as a whole | 30 marks |
| TOTAL: | 150 marks |
THEORY EXAMS
Grades 1-5 Music Theory are marked out of a total of 75. Here is how the final mark is categorized:
DISTINCTION: 65
MERIT: 60
PASS: 50
| THEORY GRADES 1-3 | |
|---|---|
| Rhythm | 15 marks |
| Pitch | 15 marks |
| Keys and Scales | 15 marks |
| Intervals | 10 marks |
| Tonic Triads | 10 marks |
| Terms and Signs | 5 marks |
| Music in Context | 5 marks |
| TOTAL: | 75 marks |
| THEORY GRADES 4-5 | |
|---|---|
| Rhythm | 10 marks |
| Pitch | 10 marks |
| Keys and Scales | 15 marks |
| Intervals | 10 marks |
| Triads / Chords | 10 marks |
| Terms, Signs and Instruments | 10 marks |
| Music in Context | 10 marks |
| TOTAL: | 75 marks |
Source: ca.abrsm.org | 2023
Grades 6-8 Music Theory are marked out of a total of 100. Here is how the final mark is categorized:
DISTINCTION: 90
MERIT: 80
PASS: 66
| THEORY GRADES 6-8 | |
|---|---|
| CREATIVITY IN HARMONY AND MELODY | 50 marks |
| MUSIC IN CONTEXT | 50 marks |
| TOTAL: | 100 marks |
WHEN ARE ABRSM EXAM RESULTS POSTED?
FACE-TO-FACE PRACTICAL GRADES AND ARSM
DIGITAL PERFORMANCE GRADES AND ARSM
THEORY EXAMS
Grades 1-5
Grades 6-8
Source: ca.abrsm.org | 2023
INSTRUMENTS OFFERED
Wondering if you can do an ABRSM exam on your instrument?
Here is a complete list of instruments/subjects currently being offered.
* Piano
* Violin
* Viola
* Cello
* Double Bass
* Descant Recorder
* Treble Recorder
* Flute
* Oboe
* Clarinet
* Bassoon
* Saxophone
* Horn
* Trumpet / Cornet / Flugelhorn
* Trombone
* Bass Trombone
* E Flat Horn
* Baritone and Euphonium
* Tuba
* Harp (pedal)
* Harp (non-pedal)
* Percussion
* Tuned Percussion
* Snare Drum
* Timpani
* Singing
* Musical Theatre
* Guitar
* Organ
* Harpsichord
* Keyboard
Source: ca.abrsm.org | 2023
ABRSM CONTACT INFORMATION
CANADA
abrsm.rep@richmondmusicschool.ca
Richmond Music School Society
11371 No 3 Road
Richmond BC, V7A 1X3
UNITED STATES
UNITED KINGDOM
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