Some text

About

Do I need to take exams?

You don't have to. However, exams can provide good motivation to study and are a marker to know how your study is progressing. When introduced to a new topic it's not always easy to see how things are relevant to you as a musician, but if you have an exam in the diary you're probably more likely to find the time to work through the exercises! With the right preparation, exams are not be as scary as you think. With the ABRSM, to enter for any practical grades 6, 7 or 8, you must have completed ABRSM: Grade 5 (or above) in Music Theory, Practical Musicianship or a solo Jazz subject (i.e. Jazz Piano, Jazz Flute, Jazz Clarinet, Jazz Sax, Jazz Trumpet/Cornet/Flugelhorn or Jazz Trombone). There is a list of accepted alternatives from other exam boards.

General tips

  • Sharp pencil (propelling pencils are good as they stay sharp)
  • A good rubber (eraser for our American friends)- not just the one on the end of your pencil
  • Take your time and write neatly
  • Mark bars out and space the notes sensibly
  • If you're not sure about something, try to work it out yourself before you look it up or ask for help.

Tips on exams

  • There are several exam boards, most notably: ABRSM and Trinity College
  • Do your Musie courses up to the right level for your exam
  • Ask your teacher to help - particularly on bits you are having trouble with or on exercises that musie recommends you to
  • Get hold of past papers of your exam so that you are clear on the format and the kind of questions they will ask (Be careful to choose the correct examining board!)
  • Do at least two past papers in exam conditions
  • Check your entry confirmation
  • Check where the exam is taking place and plan how you're getting there
  • Read through the exam conditions

On the day

  • Allow plenty of time to get there - better to be early and calm, rather than rushed and stressed
  • Pack your bag, pencil, rubber, sharpener (unless using a propelling lead pencil)
  • See through pencil case
  • Watch or timepiece (you may not be allowed to use your phone)
  • Water

Read the whole paper first. Plan your time, so that you have plenty of time for each question, and are able to check all your answers once you've finished. Don't rush. There are no prizes for leaving early, so don't do it unless you have checked all your answers at least twice. You may catch a mistake or two that could be the difference between a pass or a fail. If there's a question you're not sure how to answer, leave it and come back to it later. You may remember how to do it later, and there's no point wasting time worrying about something you can't do. Even if it doesn't come back to you, you may pick up enough marks in the rest of the paper to pass. As a last resort, try to make a sensible guess. The more sensible your guess, the more likely you are to be lucky.