15 Exam music and performance requirements
a) The individual sections of the exam may be attempted in any order, at the candidate’s choice (although, ideally, accompanied pieces should be performed consecutively). If an accompanied exam begins with any section other than the pieces, the steward should be advised in advance so that the accompanist can be summoned at the appropriate time.
b) Teachers and candidates are advised to pay close attention to the instrument-specific (and instrumental family-specific) regulations contained in each syllabus booklet, as well as to the requirements indicated in the current lists of syllabus pieces. A ‘piece’ comprises all the music set under one number-heading in the syllabus lists (unless an option is specifically indicated). Therefore, a ‘piece’ may comprise more than one movement from a work or more than one item from an album.
c) Where appropriate, the initial tempo indication (or section title) of a piece/movement is listed in the syllabus.Where a piece/movement comprises more than one tempo indication (or section title), the whole piece/movement is still required to be played in the exam (unless otherwise indicated).
d) Candidates failing to observe specific syllabus requirements or regulations (i.e. performing a piece not listed in the syllabus, or not being prepared to perform the full extent of a piece as indicated in the syllabus) may be penalized, or, in certain cases, disqualified.
e) ABRSM offers a limited overlap period, during which pieces from a preceding syllabus may, under certain conditions, be performed (see regulation 2b).
f) Candidates may use any edition (in- or out-of-print or downloadable) of the pieces listed in the syllabus, except where a specific arrangement or transcription is indicated. The editions quoted in the syllabus are given for guidance only and are not obligatory.
g) Candidates may use their discretion regarding indications or markings (particularly editorial) in the music – e.g. metronome marks, fingering, bowing, phrasing, the interpretation of ornaments, etc. – which need not be strictly observed. Where no such indications are present in the music, candidates should use their discretion to achieve a musical performance.
h) Candidates should observe da capo and dal segno indications, but other repeats of more than a few bars should not be played in the exam, unless stipulated in the syllabus.
i) Performing from memory is optional (except for singers, who must perform all items from memory, other than items from oratorios or other large-scale sacred works, or any other works specifically indicated in the lists). The examiner is at liberty to review a copy of the music before or after the performance of any piece; therefore, candidates performing from memory must ensure that a copy of the music is available for the examiner’s use.
j) Examiners may, at their discretion, stop the performance of any piece when they have heard enough to form a judgement.
k) The Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1988 does not permit the making or use of photocopies (or other kinds of copies) of copyright works. However, the Music Publishers’ Association’s Code of Fair Practice (available on the Music Publishers' website) allows copies to be made in certain limited circumstances (such as a difficulty with a particular page-turn) but only if the copyright holder is listed in Appendix C of the Code. In all other cases, application should be made to the copyright holder before any copy is made. It is the Applicant’s responsibility to ensure that candidates act within the law with respect to the making and use of photocopies (or other copies). ABRSM reserves the right to withhold the exam result of any candidate where it has evidence of the use of an illegal copy (or copies) in connection with that exam.