Has anyone received exam dates yet? I applied to do my exam in the last week of Feb, and I'm starting to get a bit desparate to know dates and times, as I need to schedule work stuff in for that week.

I wondered how other people get round this problem, if you're trying to juggle music with a work life? I wonder if it's something the ABRSM could look at to assist adult learners - 'some time in that week' isn't really something I can tell my boss!

Yeah, I have the same problem with my pupils. College aren't going to be very understanding methinks. I hope they come soon!
Sarah x

I don't have exam date yet - applied mid-Jan.

It usually depends on which week you asked for, rather than which week you sent your form in. If your exam is in an early week then you'll usually be notified sooner than if your exam is in a later week.

Does anyone know how far in advance of the exam the notice comes?

Hi Rainbow,

It varies, usually roughly around a month but can be as little as two weeks.

This thread is one from a while ago where people were posting (on) the date on which their notification came and the date of the exam. You can see there's quite a bit of variety sometimes.

Hi meerkat

I phoned the ABRSM about this the other day. I've asked for the third week in March, and because I'm also tied up with a work project during March, I want to be able to let them know when I won't be available on the project. All the ABRSM said was that if you apply for an early date, you'll only have two weeks' notice, whereas if you've applied for a later date you're likely to have at least three weeks' notice. On that basis, I guess you'll hear about 14 Feb & I'll hear about 1st March!!

Jen

Oh joy. My head of dept will be so pleased.

I can't imagine that I'm the only adult learner effected by this. Might it be worth coordinating a bit of a petition, asking that they make adjustments to their arrangements for adult learners? I think that there's an equity issue here, tbh. If the exam arrangements are unfriendly to adult learners, that really is a form of exclusion.

Hi Meerkat

It's an issue that has come up many times in the past (I think I complained about it first in December 03).

If you have a look at the Teachers' forum there is a pinned thread exactly on that topic. We have all added to it.

And I suspect that even for folks in school and their parents the current short notice is a pain - after all accompanists have to be found and transport has to be arranged, particularly for candidates who aren't old enough to drive themselves to the exam centre. The only exception to this as far as I could see is when a school arranges a visit, otherwise it's a bind for everyone.

I am surprised that the technology isn't there yet to make bookings a bit more flexible, and to send out dates a lot earlier. I suspect it's being worked on behind the scenes.


Cheers

katyjay