The Exam Experience, What has it done for you? Options

[celloml]

Besides getting a piece of paper certifying that you have "passed _____ with______", what has the entire exam experience done for you as a student? Has it boosted your confidence, exposed your weakness, challenged you to rise higher?

For me, I found the early stages of preparation really interesting as my teacher slowly went thru the exam material and explained how different aspects were graded and what he wanted me to aim for. I enjoyed learning the pieces and soon could play them without referring to my books at all. I was struggling with my scales but was determined to have them nailed before long

Four weeks before the exam:
Scales were polished and rarely discussed any more.
Sightreading was pretty atrocious and my teacher was horrified to discover that I don't really "count" when I play.
Aural was shaky and wonderfully full of guess-work
Nerves started setting in and I had trouble with my pieces... would freak out and forget what comes next (pieces were supposedly memorized but I soon realized I was merely playing on auto-pilot and couldn't really play when I started thinking about what I was doing.)

One week before the exam
Performed exam pieces in front of other students of same grade level. Was close to tears but refused to cry in front of anyone.

Half an hour before the exam
Played really wonderfully with my accompanist in the practice room. Argued a bit more about how certain parts should be played.

EXAMINATION
Managed to pull off piece A (surprised myself)
Tried to silently signal my accompanist not to start introduction to piece B since I was horribly nervous and could not get a grip on myself... However, when the examiner looked up with a real quizzical look, I decided not to try my luck any more and just go for it.
Slipped in opening section of piece C and sat out for 2 bars until I figured out where I was (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Scales were wonderful except for chromatic scale starting on C. That being the last scale I did, I was desperately tempted to laugh because it sounded so 'wrong' to me. But I knew that my teacher would kill me if he found out, so I kept my countenance as sober as a funeral.

Sightreading was marvelously easy... so much so that I didn't notice that the last pizz on the piece was marked 'p' and I played it joyously at about 'mf'

Aural was totally fun and nerve-wrecking at the same time. I loved the singing part but was hopeless at clapping back rhythm and stuff like that. Felt like a fraud

Left the room feeling relieved and desperate... very close to tears. Promising myself that I would never do it again.

One week after the exam
Slowly relaxing and rediscovering how fun it is to play my cello after all

Two weeks after the exam
In total shock that I passed with 141
Was convinced that examiner either had pretty bad musical taste or was being extremely generous

After All...
After my life regained its equilibrium, I was able to step back and re-evaluate the many positive things I gained from the whole exam experience

(1) I am sure of what I can/cannot do under pressure
(2) I usually think more badly of my own playing than others do
(3) Music is about passion not perfection (I'm sure the examiner would say that)
(4) Challenges help us become better people by encouraging us to reach just a little higher than we would in normal circumstances

In short, although, my first thought when upon coming out of the exam room was "I'm never going to do this again!", I am now, unbelievably, considering taking another early next year!!! The entire experience from start to finish has benefited me on my musical journey much more than I had expected. And not just musically: I find that, as a new adult facing the world, I have gained more confidence and become more wise through surviving such an emotionally-draining few weeks (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Mad Tom]

In piano playing exams have ...

exposed your weakness, challenged you to rise higher?

In other subjects they have persuaded me that exams are no way to measure knowledge or ability above the very elementary. I have often gained high marks in subjects about which I know next to nothing through a little knowledge, a good command of English, and exam technique.

[Maizie]

For me, I think exams have pointed out the areas that need more work - not that there are areas that need no work, but that some things need to catch up with other things.

Exams also give you the opportunity to really really work on something and bring it up to a standard far higher than you might if you were just learning it for lessons - especially true if you have limited performance opportunities (for whatever reason).

Exams also make sure that you concentrate on the things you would avoid if you could. On my last exam, I found the minor scales a nightmare. Had I not had to learn them for my exam, I am sure I would have avoided them. The worst that might have happened is that at some point I got a lesson entirely devoted to minor scales, but that would only happen once. Instead, I learned the darn things. Not brilliantly, I'll be the first to admit. But now at least I feel some familiarity when presented with a piece (or part of a piece) in said key.

You also get the undivided attention for a few minutes of someone who wants you to do well, but equally has the experience to judge fairly. Who listens to me play? My teacher, who isn't likely to be a harsh critic since if he upsets me too much he might lose me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) And also is generally hearing me play dreadfully slowly as he gives me some new challenge to face. My husband, who hears me practice, would never say a bad word no matter how terrible it was. My cat, who pretends to enjoy because she knows I am her food source. But the examiner, they don't know me, they have no vested interest, so it's a fully independent opinion.

Plus, if you are of a certain mind set - I am - external measures of achievement are something hugely loved. I'm pretty sure a psychologist would have a field day (and I'm pretty sure two already have!) but I am definitely someone who seeks that "external expert approval", so exams (music and otherwise) are something I really like. (Maybe not on the day of the exam itself, but having one to work towards, and the achievement afterwards).

[Arundodonuts]

Exams are not (or shouldn't be) the raison d'etre. They are intended as a measure of performance at any given point. What is important is the syllabus which, in any subject, should be designed to take the student from beginning to some higher level of ability (though as a lecturer of mine once put it "limited in cosmic terms"). I personally think the ABRSM syllabuses are fairly well constructed and offer a sensible approach for learning an instrument and the basics of music theory and musicianship (whether you intend to remain an amateur or go on to serious study with a view to becoming a professional musician).

I find taking exams a useful experience in that it gives me something to aim towards at various intermediate stages and validates what I have achieved so far. As an adult learner I'm in no particular hurry to get to, for example, Grade 8 as I'm never likely to be applying to go to a conservatoire, but I find it useful to have those targets. On the other hand advancing years mean I need to crack on in order to get a reasonable period of playing as an "adequate" amateur. I think the prospect of an exam looming spurs me on and keeps me working. I also agree with Maizie's comment that it provides a "performance opportunity" and I certainly try to approach them as recitals rather than dry academic hoops to jump through.

[lps123]

May i know how to overcome the fear, panic & tention during the exam? coz i always have a problem to perform my pieces during the exam. Because i am too panic & tention then cause most of the time i will stop at the middle of the pieces & not able to continue until have to replay again the pieces. However i got no problem when i practice alone.

[sbhoa]

May i know how to overcome the fear, panic & tention during the exam? coz i always have a problem to perform my pieces during the exam. Because i am too panic & tention then cause most of the time i will stop at the middle of the pieces & not able to continue until have to replay again the pieces. However i got no problem when i practice alone.

Some people find that it help if you can get someone to listen to you play. Make friends and family listen to you. you can tell them the reason.
What happens in lessons?
Can you try to see the exam as an opportunity to get feedback on your playing from an expert rather than a trial to be endured?
Can you turn nervous into excited?
Is it possible to plan a reward for yourself after the exam and so turn the day into some sort of special outing?
Does your teacher do a mock exam with you or arrange for another teacher to do it?
I have pretty bad exam nerves too and my teacher's plan is to deliberately put me in stressful playing situations to learn to cope with it. It also helps if you are absolutely secure in your pieces.
Do you really play faultlessly at home? Sometimes we fool ourselves about this.

[celloml]

Do you really play faultlessly at home? Sometimes we fool ourselves about this.

This is too true!

It was THE THING I determined to conquer before the exam just because I know how flighty and nervy I am. I made myself KNOW every shift and bow stroke and phrasing and dynamic so that I could do it even if scared silly.
It also helped(?) that my teacher was (is) rather terrifying at times so I learned to play in front of him (which I could not in the beginning).
So now I gauge my ability by, "If I can play it in front of my teacher, I can play it in front of anybody (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)) Shhh, don't tell him.

Sometimes I think I can "play" something. But I'm actually dreaming and enjoying myself. Burst the bubble and put me in a desperately scary situation, and I realize how little I can recall what to do when!

[Hooplah]

Mock exams are good. My tutor recently bought in a musical friend to act as an examiner, putting me in as close to an exam situation as could be done (the friend played it very well actually!).

As far as not fooling yourself about how you play at home - record yourself. The camera/microphone does not lie, I find it immensely useful. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[lps123]

Yes, my piano center did arrange a mock exam for me. There is another teacher will give me the mock exam who teach me the theory not practical. However i still feel the nervous but the feeling not as terrible as the actual exam. At least i still manage to perform it even not that perfect still acceptable. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) At home sometime will make some mistake or slip but still can make myself continue with no panic. However at the actual exam i really feel nervous or even feel wan to cry because i had make a mistake or even stop half a way with not able to continue and replay the whole pieces again (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

So far i can play in front on my teacher because i have with my teacher almost 6 years ++.

Thanks for all the advice. i will try to imagine myself at the exam situation when everytime i practice at home or even as you all advice frequently perform in front of friend or even family & record down during i practice.

Could i borrow the Grade 8 YR2011-2012 exam pieces?

[Cyrilla]

I have often gained high marks in subjects about which I know next to nothing through a little knowledge, a good command of English, and exam technique.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

I was pretty hopeless at all exams at school and my marks never lived up to my potential. I used to get SO nervous (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) .

However, when I went to college I started to discover that a) I wasn't as thick as I had always thought I was, and b) I started to learn exam technique. English was my main subject and I managed to come second in the whole year group, with never having read one of the books! - I learned salient quotations and could waffle intelligently round them..

With regard to music exams - I did Grades I-V and VII on piano between the ages of 7 and 17. Every single one was nothing short of torture for me and I did nothing more than scrape through each time (apart from one failure and one merit). I'm afraid they did nothing for me as a child other than make me fearful and to make me hate playing the piano - oh, and they also reinforced my belief that I was useless at music.

Still not a pleasant memory.

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

[Mad Tom]

I have lost count of the exams I have taken in life. Most of them I passed, many of them with very high marks ... some of them with very little actual knowledge or understanding of the subject.

There is a handful that I failed:

Grade 6 piano at the first attempt
A 2nd level University course in Cell Biology (part of a Biology degree)
A 3rd level University course in advanced Groupo Theory (part of a Maths degree)
A course in Financial Markets
A recent DipABRSM (piano - recital component)

I have learned a lot from those 5 failures. The dozens of exams that I have passed have taught me little.

[sbhoa]

Yes, my piano center did arrange a mock exam for me. There is another teacher will give me the mock exam who teach me the theory not practical. However i still feel the nervous but the feeling not as terrible as the actual exam. At least i still manage to perform it even not that perfect still acceptable. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) At home sometime will make some mistake or slip but still can make myself continue with no panic. However at the actual exam i really feel nervous or even feel wan to cry because i had make a mistake or even stop half a way with not able to continue and replay the whole pieces again (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

So far i can play in front on my teacher because i have with my teacher almost 6 years ++.

That's interesting because I find the whole mock exam idea a lot more stressful than the real thing and whenever it's been suggested to me I've turned it down.
No prizes for guessing my teacher's plans to help me cope with exam stress.....

The fewer slips you do at home the less chance there is of them happening elsewhere.
I've realised that one reason I make more errors when playing in front of people is that when I'm nervous the way I move and even sit or stand is not the same as when I play when relaxed. The movements are different and this results in unexpected errors.
Knowing this means I try to be more aware of it in a performance situation and it does help.

[celloml]

I've realised that one reason I make more errors when playing in front of people is that when I'm nervous the way I move and even sit or stand is not the same as when I play when relaxed. The movements are different and this results in unexpected errors.
Knowing this means I try to be more aware of it in a performance situation and it does help.

Oh, I will try to think of this! I realize that the way I sit, vibrato, bow, ...everything is all different when I'm relaxed v. when I'm tense! Thanks for the tip!

[Sunrise]

For me, they give me confidence in my ability. I could not believe that I was at that standard, even though my teacher would tell me, I thought he was being nice to me! I have a real doubt in myself, and having the non-biased 3rd party gave me a real boost. My nerves have subsided since.

Will find out on Monday....in my pre-diploma recital infront of lots of people I know. Sink or swim time....

[lps123]

i think my problem is lack of perform in front of others ppl. Thus when everytime i play infront of the examiner it has caused me feel tense until my hand shake & sweating (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) i have to overcome the tense problem otherwise it will really make me fail in the exam (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)