About ABRSM examiners
Our examining panels consist of over 700 musicians, all highly qualified and skilled in their own field. Individual experience is combined with comprehensive and rigorous training, both prior to acceptance on the panel and whilst they remain a member of it.
We provide all our examiners with continuing professional development, moderation and monitoring. The result is a team of examiners that we trust and know to be impartial, objective and consistent.
ABRSM graded exams are music exams rather than instrumental or singing exams. Examiners are assessing the quality of the music-making, not how it is achieved. For this reason we do not restrict examiners to assessing only their own instrument but require them to examine all instruments.
This places the emphasis firmly on the music, rather than technique, and gives consistency across the syllabuses.
Examiners conducting Jazz exams are selected for their expertise, experience and background in jazz, either as instrumentalists or teachers. Jazz examiners assess any instrument in the Jazz syllabus.
Where possible, two examiners are present at every level of diploma exam. Whenever possible, one examiner will be a specialist in the discipline concerned, the other a generalist.
Criteria for application
ABRSM's examiners must be UK-based musicians with a strong educational background and the qualifications to demonstrate this.
They will have the personal experience, qualities and attributes to cope positively with the range of situations and people they will meet, be used to working with children, be open to training, be competent but not necessarily performing pianists and be able to make at least one week of their time available each session.
They must be prepared to travel, as ABRSM makes every effort to avoid the possibility of panel members examining candidates known to them, or the students of teachers they know.
Examiners do not normally revisit an examining venue within a three-year period.
They will be in sympathy with ABRSM's Child Protection and Equal Opportunites policies, and will have full CRB clearance.
Podcast
Our new programme featuring Chief Examiner John Holmes provides a valuable insight into the skills, training and characteristics required to become an ABRSM examiner.
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Contact us
For further information and to request an application form, please contact the Chief Examiner's office.
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