Feeling a bit anxious. As I've mentioned before, I've a pupil entering an exam for the first time this session so I'm not too sure how the system works as yet. We've got a potential accompanist, but as she's got children she needs to know the date of the exam to give a definite answer. I hadn't realised that the release of exam dates is staggered - I gave the third week as preference so if that's the week I've been given I won't get the date until next week - but if it's a later date I'm going to be waiting even longer to find out I guess this is the way it's always been done but I'm wondering how people manage to sort these things out under these circumstances...

With AB I get a local teacher who organises the accompanist to enter my pupils as hers - that way they're part of a big bunch accompanied by a professional accompanist who is prepared to put up with AB's short notice.

But then I enter very few for AB because of this, preferring Trinity - where I can find out the exam date before I enter the pupil.

I'm afraid this is just the way the system works. I accompany my own pupils, but I won't know until the date comes whether I'll need to do any rearranging of other teaching. Occasionally, you can contact the local rep who may be able to tell you which week(s) the exams might be.

I would strongly suggest you do this. My local rep was able to tell me months ago which weeks had been booked for the exams this year - for all 3 sessions.

Everything's alright - got notification of date and time today! So can get cracking with sorting accompanists now!