ABRSM Official Poll, Exam appointments - what matters most? Options

[Jane S]

A convenient date and time are helpful. Good venue including warm up rooms really help. Cloakrooms and waiting rooms need to comfortable, not super trendy, just comfortable. Good public transport and car parking all help. Access to cafes for those who cannot avoid a long journey, or for those with things like diabetes who have to plan meals around the day. Possibly one dedicated day for those with SEN just so amenuenses could be pooled or even allocated by the Board. This could be a lot fairer and mean that those who need a little extra support do not have too much done for them, whether by design, or more usually by ignorance of accepted practice.

[lorraineliyanage]

Our nearest (and very busy) centre in South London has no piano to warm-up which is very frustrating.

[maggiemay]

Our nearest (and very busy) centre in South London has no piano to warm-up which is very frustrating.

Ours does not either. I wonder if it's the same centre? otherwise there are two, not so far apart, with the same shortcoming.

[Thomas Coxon .TMEABRSM]

I also believe that information about the examiner the student will be having would benefit as well. i have voted for other for that reason, However I do feel that facilities at the venue are important too. This is because with my students they like to go over the pieces one last time or go through some last minute scales or oral practise. Therefore I feel that there should always be a extra rehearsal room for the next student in-line for examination that contains a piano!

[passiflora]

The most Important thing is that the Examiner follows ABRSM guidelines.

Unfortunely my daughter was informed in no uncertain terms she had to sing her Aural, no option to hum etc in a Violin exam.

Said daughter was already nervous.

Someone high up should get repremanded for not training examiners properly and said examiner should be sacked or repremanded and re-trained.

[Ayshah]

The most Important thing is that the Examiner follows ABRSM guidelines.

Unfortunely my daughter was informed in no uncertain terms she had to sing her Aural, no option to hum etc in a Violin exam.

Said daughter was already nervous.

Someone high up should get repremanded for not training examiners properly and said examiner should be sacked or repremanded and re-trained.

Hum!! Not come across this one before. You need to discuss with your child's teacher! You "sound" so furious! ABRSM examiners are really exceedingly well trained.

Perhaps you should consider Solfege training so that your child become more familiar with the idea behind the Aural part of the exam.

[lorraineliyanage]

Our nearest (and very busy) centre in South London has no piano to warm-up which is very frustrating.

Ours does not either. I wonder if it's the same centre? otherwise there are two, not so far apart, with the same shortcoming.

I've moved all my exams to a different centre that is not so near so that there is a practice room which is vital, especially in the colder months when fingers needs warming up, particularly for pianists.

[barry-clari]

Our nearest (and very busy) centre in South London has no piano to warm-up which is very frustrating.

Ours does not either. I wonder if it's the same centre? otherwise there are two, not so far apart, with the same shortcoming.

I've moved all my exams to a different centre that is not so near so that there is a practice room which is vital, especially in the colder months when fingers needs warming up, particularly for pianists.

There are five potential centres near my pupils. Have never used two of them, but of the other three, one has a lovely warm up area with piano, one has a piano, but it's combined with the waiting room (it's still OK though), and one...er...doesn't have a piano to warm up on...

[willobie]

Our nearest (and very busy) centre in South London has no piano to warm-up which is very frustrating.

Ours does not either. I wonder if it's the same centre? otherwise there are two, not so far apart, with the same shortcoming.

I've moved all my exams to a different centre that is not so near so that there is a practice room which is vital, especially in the colder months when fingers needs warming up, particularly for pianists.

There are five potential centres near my pupils. Have never used two of them, but of the other three, one has a lovely warm up area with piano, one has a piano, but it's combined with the waiting room (it's still OK though), and one...er...doesn't have a piano to warm up on...

I used to love the Blackheath centre with its proper warm up facilities. My local centre now has NO warm up area at all. The waiting area is a sitting room, directly opposite the exam room so no opportunity to make any noise at all...

W (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[barry-clari]

Our nearest (and very busy) centre in South London has no piano to warm-up which is very frustrating.

Ours does not either. I wonder if it's the same centre? otherwise there are two, not so far apart, with the same shortcoming.

I've moved all my exams to a different centre that is not so near so that there is a practice room which is vital, especially in the colder months when fingers needs warming up, particularly for pianists.

There are five potential centres near my pupils. Have never used two of them, but of the other three, one has a lovely warm up area with piano, one has a piano, but it's combined with the waiting room (it's still OK though), and one...er...doesn't have a piano to warm up on...

I used to love the Blackheath centre with its proper warm up facilities. My local centre now has NO warm up area at all. The waiting area is a sitting room, directly opposite the exam room so no opportunity to make any noise at all...

W (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

You worked out I was talking about Blackheath then (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Solari]

You worked out I was talking about Blackheath then (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I've done exams at Blackheath - I preferred the warm up piano to the one they had in the exam room... Going from that to a bright yamaha hurt my ears. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

[jackieja366]

We have a great venue and a wonderful piano. Getting the dates is a problem though. I'd love to be able to exclude a particular week instead giving a preference for a week. If they think they may be away for a couple of days in the exam period, I end up having to delay the exam by another term just in case it clashes.

Most annoying.

I've only ever had a couple of times where pupil could not make the date allocated, and I rang up and they were very helpful and accommodating, so I would not be put off entering just because of this. It's a very long time to wait until the next exam period!

[playitagainsam]

Question:

Thinking specifically about the Associated Board's practical examination appointments, which of the following is most important to you?

Your Chance to Make a Difference

The Associated Board aims to deliver the best possible service to all its customers and your views, suggestions and feedback are vital in helping us to do this.

As part of ongoing research into customer attitudes towards the Board's services, we are keen to know your opinion on the subject of Associated Board practical examination appointments.

Please help us to continue to improve our service to you by letting us know which of the above issues you consider to be most important when applying to sit an Associated Board practical examination.

If the issue that you consider to be most important is not one of those listed above, please select "Other". Then click on the "Add Reply" button and share your thoughts with us.

We look forward to reading your responses. Many thanks for taking the time to give us your views.

Christine Morris
Forums Administrator

Living in a remote place, being able to request a time is of greatest importance as my pupils have to rely on a ferry for the first leg of the journey. For example, a 1015 appt means leaving home around 0800 and arriving at their destination around 0920. Any time before that means leaving home around 6.40am to fit in with the ferry timetable. It makes for a long morning for them. I have learnt to email once an entry has been made and so far ABRSM have tried to be accomodating, but an opportunity to suggest a timescale at the start would be very helpful.