When a pupil took grade 5 theory last term, the candidates were informed by the invigilator that they were not allowed to draw a keyboard on the rough paper provided. Does anyone know if this true? I can't find anything in the regulations, it only says they may not take a representation of a keyboard in with them. I have another pupil taking grade 5 this term & he finds it hard to manage without seeing a keyboard. Have I missed something in the regulations or was the invigilator incorrect?

I think the consensus we reached last time this came up was that taking in any sort of keyboard representation was out, but that what you did on your scrap paper once you were in the exam room was not a problem, so you could draw one if you liked.

So I'd say your invigilator was wrong. Suggest you ring the Board though and get it clarified once and for all.

The invigilator was wrong. The letter sent out by the Board telling applicants that candidates could not take in rulers etc. with keyboards printed on them explicitly said that candidates could draw keyboards on their scrap paper from memory.

I think the invigilator was wrong too. I advise all my theory exam candidates to draw a keyboard on their rough paper before they start answering the questions, and to write out any other aide-memoires they need. The key thing here is that candidates are not allowed to bring them in to the exam.

Thanks for your quick replies. When was that letter sent out? I've been entering pupils for many years & I don't remember receiving it. Although, coming to think of it, I haven't personally entered many theory pupils (many are entered by schools & music centres), so perhaps I didn't get it.

To the best of my knowledge it was at the beginning of this year. My filing system is rather chaotic (ie which pile to look through next ) so I can't lay my hands on it at present.

I got the letter last time, but didn't get one with the sticky label for this session.