10 Theory Exams: Timings and Conduct
a Timings for the Theory exams 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 (see regulation 18) may qualify for an additional time allowance.
c Candidates are advised to attend at least 10 minutes before the start of the exam and to bring the name label previously sent to the Applicant (see regulation 8f).
d No candidate arriving more than 35 minutes after the start of the exam will be admitted.
e An invigilator is present for the duration of the exam.
f The invigilator opens the sealed packet of exam papers in the exam 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 At Public Centres, ABRSM provides plain ruled manuscript paper on which candidates may do any rough working; at Visits, this may be provided by the Visit host. 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 exam 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 exam but, having done so, must leave the room and may not return. Once candidates have left the exam room, they are no longer under the invigilator’s supervision or ABRSM’s temporary care (see regulation 19a).
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 exam 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.