11 Theory Examinations: Timings and Conduct
a) Timings for the Theory examinations are:
Grades 1–3: 11/2 hours
Grades 4–5: 2 hours
Grades 6–8: 3 hours
b) Candidates with sensory impairments, learning difficulties or particular physical needs may qualify foran additional time allowance (see regulation 19).
c) Candidates are advised to attend 10 minutes before the start of the examination and to bring the namelabel previously sent to the Applicant (see regulation 8f).
d) No candidate arriving more than 35 minutes after the start of the examination will be admitted
e) An invigilator is present for the duration of the examination.
f) The invigilator opens the sealed packet of examination papers in the examination room in the presence of the candidates, and informs them that:
- they must complete their question paper without help and without reference to notes, musical calculators, or books of any kind, and that any candidate infringing this rule or helping another will be disqualified;
- they must stick their name label (see regulation 8f). at the top of their paper;
- they must write their answers clearly and legibly, otherwise marks may be lost;
- they are not allowed to take copies of the papers nor their rough notes from the room;
- the time allowed is printed at the top of each question paper.
g) ABRSM provides plain ruled manuscript paper on which candidates may do any rough working. Candidates should bring their own pens or pencils. They may not bring any unauthorized material or equipment (such as their own manuscript or other paper, any representation of the piano keyboard or any recording device) into the examination room, and mobile phones must be switched off. Any candidate infringing this rule may be disqualified.
h) Candidates may hand in their papers at any time after 40 minutes from the start of the examination but, having done so, must leave the room and may not return. Once candidates have left the examination room, they are no longer under the invigilator’s supervision or ABRSM’s temporary care (see regulation 20a).
i) As each paper is handed in, the invigilator ensures that the candidate’s full name appears legibly at the top.
j) The invigilator despatches the papers to ABRSM in accordance with the instructions issued by ABRSM, having first sealed them in secure envelopes before leaving the examination room.
k) ABRSM does not accept responsibility for the loss of any papers in the post after their despatch to ABRSM by the invigilator. In such cases, the entry fees are returned.