A pupil of mine was playing this to me this afternoon, and automatically took the demisemiquaver B flat in bar 9 with her left hand. This worked well and, to be honest, I didn't even notice until she told me what she had done. My question is - would she be penalised for this in the exam. Also, should she be consistant and take the other notes of similar rhythm with the left hand, although she feels this is awkward. Or should she train herself to take the original B flat with the correct (right) hand?

I don't actually know this piece, (at least I don't think I know it!) but I can answer your question nannyjay. She will not be penalised for playing a note (or two) with the other hand as long as it makes musical sense and doesn't make the note sound out of place. An examiner friend of mine has suggested playing some notes here and there with the other hand in different pieces.

Given my hand size, I'm always swapping hands where necessary to ensure the harmony is complete. I'm sure the examiner won't mind as long as it is done musically, and doesn't jusmp out as sounding odd.

Nannyjay - Is this the Bb that's part of the melody? (there are several Bbs in this bar but I think only one that's a demisemi ...)

I don't see a problem as long as it's neatly done (as others have said) and keeps the shape of the melody intact, ( the previous note gives way to the Bb and doesn't hold over it, for example). I'd want to hear this bit of melody without any other notes, to get her to listen to how well the melody holds together at this point. But it's a fairly fleeting moment anyway - in performance it won't be a big deal.

I wouldn't get her to change anything as long as it sounds ok.

Thanks everyone, you have confirmed what I thought