The importance of a distinction Options

[FullofWind]

Should you only sit grade 8 when you know there is a very high chance that a distinction will be achieved? There will be musicians for whom this would be a mammoth task but if a child was capable of getting a comfortable pass, would it be better to wait up to two years until they were beyond distinction level? How are resits viewed by conservatoires if a child wishes to gain a distinction at a later date?

[andante]

I would leave it. My daughter got a high merit in her grade 8 on her first instrument, and distinctions in grade 8 on her other two instruments. Every time she applies for something that asks for grade 8 distinction or equivalent she has to get a letter of support from her teacher to prove that she is this level.