Exam Advice

So you’ve been entered for an exam. What happens now? What should I be doing? What is the exam going to be like? When is it going to be? 

A pupil having been entered for an exam usually means that the pupil has achieved a certain standard and that the teacher has confidence in the pupil’s abilities to pass the exam. With some candidates, they may have been entered before being fully ready and will be working towards the standard required. Maybe other influences such as to achieve a certain grade on their instrument to move onto the next school or to attend a music course has led to being entered for the practical exam. In these situations, the teacher will anticipate the progress a pupil will achieve based on work covered and past progress. This is not unusual though very much puts the emphasis on the pupil maintaining this level of progress.

There are two formats of practical exams with the Associated Board of Music. The online exam is a performance exam with four pieces each worth 30 points and the performance overal also worth 30 points. You record your performance in one take and then submit it via email. 

The face to face exam format of woodwind exams will consist of three exam pieces and these are accompanied by the piano or performed as a solo if the piece is a study. There will also be sight-reading, scales and arpeggios, and aural. These can be taken in any order but usually start with the accompanied pieces. The pianist will leave the exam room when finished accompanying. The pass mark is 100/150 with a merit awarded at 120 and a distinction at 130.

For all taking exams, it is important not to give marks away by letting the examiner know that a mistake has been made. A frown, oops or sorry lets the examiner know that things did not go to plan when perhaps they may not have noticed. Above all, never give up. Examiners are on the whole friendly people doing a job like any one else. They have to often conduct exams all day sometimes hearing the same piece of music all day as well. It is in their interest to make the exam candidate feel comfortable and play well otherwise they are in for a difficult day.