when i was playing the 3rd piece during my 3rd grade piano exam i broke down at the last line because of some problem with the notes. i was so panicked , i just sat there and didn't know what to do. the examiner asked me to just continue from anywhere and finished the piece. thank God i passed (very lucky actually). just want to know what is the best way to handle this kinda situation. and how to control the notes securely.

It's horrible to be in such a position - your mind just goes totally blank doesn't it?

I think all you can do is what the examiner suggested - take a deep breath and just carry on playing as if nothing happened.

I bet examiners see it happen a lot!

And it isn't the disaster you imagine it to be.

I don't think I got to the end of any of my pieces when I did Gr 6 without a break and I got merit (just).

So long as your overall playing is musical you will be ok.

just try to calm down and continue playing the pieces and you'll be alrite...

I always advise my pupils to have lots of "safety points" ie places they can return too easily if things go wrong. During our lessons I will often point to such a place and ask the pupil to start from there. Ideally you should be able to pick up your piece from anywhere - make sure you have practiced from all sorts of different places. Not necessarily from the beginning of a bar or from a cadence point. Obviously if playing without music this sort of thing becomes vital. If there is a breakdown and you can keep going do that if not just go back a little. Try not to go right back to the start though!

Thanks a lot ppl~!
Actually that was my first exam, and i didn't expect this kinda thing would happen...