Graded music exam syllabuses
Syllabus durations
The tables on this page detail all current ABRSM graded exam subjects (except Jazz subjects) in PDF format.
With the exception of Piano, which has a two-year duration, all the subjects are valid for at least four years. In order to reflect any changes (for example, publisher or availability information) that may have occurred after a syllabus's introduction, each subject on this page is routinely updated.
Syllabus corrections
When compiling our syllabuses, we make every effort to ensure that the information they contain is accurate and up to date. However, corrections are sometimes necessary after the syllabuses have been issued, for example where publisher information has changed.
Syllabus booklet downloads (PDF)
| General Information for Theory of Music | Grade | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theory of Music | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Complete syllabus |
| General Information for Aural Tests | Grade | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aural Tests * | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Complete syllabus |
| General Information for Practical Musicianship | Grade | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Musicianship | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Complete syllabus |
| General Regulations for Piano |  | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Piano | 2009 & 2010 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Complete syllabus Audio downloads |
| Bowed Strings Syllabus Requirements | Grade |  | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | 2008 - 2011 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Complete syllabus Audio downloads |
| Viola | 2008 - 2011** | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Complete syllabus |
| Cello | 2010 - 2011** | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Complete syllabus |
| Double Bass | 2010 - 2011** | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Complete syllabus |
| General Regulations for Guitar | Grade |  | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guitar | from 2009 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Complete syllabus |
| General Regulations for Harp | Grade | | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harp | from 2005 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Complete syllabus |
| Woodwind Syllabus Requirements | Grade |  | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Descant (Soprano) Recorder | from 2008 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Complete syllabus | |||
| Treble (Alto) Recorder | from 2008 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Complete syllabus Corrections |
| Flute | 2008 - 2013 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Complete syllabus Audio downloads |
| Oboe | from 2006 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Complete syllabus |
| Clarinet | 2008 - 2013 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Complete syllabus Audio downloads |
| Bassoon | from 2006 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Complete syllabus |
| Saxophone | from 2006 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Complete syllabus |
| Scale Patterns | ||||||||||
| Brass Syllabus Requirements | Grade |  | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horn | 2004 - 2012 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Complete syllabus |
| Trumpet, Cornet, Flugelhorn | from 2010 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Complete syllabus Corrections |
| E flat Horn | 2004 - 2012 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Complete syllabus |
| Trombone | from 2010 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Complete syllabus |
| Bass Trombone | from 2010 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Complete syllabus | |||||
| Baritone and Euphonium | 2004 - 2012 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Complete syllabus |
| Tuba | 2004 - 2012 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Complete syllabus |
| Scale Patterns | ||||||||||
| Singing Syllabus Requirements | Grade |  | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singing | from 2009 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Complete syllabus |
| General Regulations for Harpsichord | Grade | | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harpsichord | from 2009 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Complete syllabus | |||
| General Regulations for Organ | Grade | | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Organ | 1999 - 2010 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Complete syllabus | |
| General Regulations for Percussion | Grade | | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percussion | from 1990 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Complete syllabus |
*There will be minor modifications to some aural tests, taking effect worldwide from 1 January 2011. Full details will be available in July 2010.
**The set pieces for viola, cello and double bass will be valid beyond 2011 (until 2015 for cello and until further notice for viola and double bass). However, there will be revised scale and sight-reading requirements for all bowed strings in 2012. Full details will be available in July 2011.
Further information
UK candidates
International candidates
- Syllabus Updates: 2010
- Syllabus Updates: 2011-2014
- Examination Information and Regulations: International