So I want to do my grade 8 piano (AB) but i haven't done any practical or theory exams since grade 1 (long time ago!) and I realised i'll have to take grade 5 theory before i can take grade 8 practical. This means applying for the next grade 5 theory exam sitting which I suspect is around autumn time and so the earlieist i'd be able to take grade 8 practical would be right at the end of the year or at the beginning of 2005.....then i noticed the piano exam syllabus is only until 2004 - BLARGH!

Is there any overlap exams in the beginning of next year for students playing the old syllabus (this year's)? I'm sure i've heard of some board doing this, i just don't know which one. I'd really like to take the ABRSM practical as i already know a piece from 2 of the 3 lists fairly well - i'd only have to learn 1 piece. Anyone know?

You can use the current syllabus up until the spring session 05. then must use the new one, and you can not mix the 2 syllabus (pl?)

Good luck

the current syllibus is active until (and including) march 2005 exam session so you can take your exam either before xmas or in march.

Hope this helps
Trish

The next time you could take grade 5 theory would indeed be in November (be careful not to forget though that you'll have to enter around the end September). Which would mean that, assuming you're prepared by then, you can take the grade 8 exam in the first term (Spring) of next year for which you are allowed to use the 2004 syllabus, any later and you'll need the new one. If you think that you may need longer to prepare, have a look in Libretto at the new syllabus, who knows you might know three pieces off that one!

its annoying but you cant mix the sylibuses