Hi there

I am new to the forums, but must say it's the greatest invention and I am totally hooked.

I am a mature student and doing grade 3 theory exam in November - which is my first ever theory exam I have ever done!!

And I am starting to really panic now which is never a good sign. I am just basically looking for any advice anyone would have on what to look out for in the papers, that maybe you we're caught out on in the past ?

And also how many marks do I need to get to be a pass ? As I think I will just scape by that.

My main instrument is voice and I am also doing grade 3 piano to help me with the theory and to have as a second instrument. I know I am starting late but I suppose this is the first time I have had the opportunity to do what I truely love!

Any advice is more than welcome as I have had a total panic this afternoon

Thanks so much!

66 = Pass
80 = Merit
90 = Distinction
/100

Good luck! I'm taking Grade 4 theory in November. Like you, I'm doing piano at a similar grade to theory (currently working for Grade 5).

Car Expert

My advice is: learn the words!! Loads of people just don't learn them because they take ages and aren't worth many marks. But these people are almost always caught out because, if they'd had the extra 2 or 3 marks, they'd have passed, got merit/ distinction. In my case, i'm glad i put that extra bit of time in because i got 91 marks in my grade 5, so would have missed out on a distinction otherwise.

Just remember you have lots of time!

I'm sure you're doing practice papers with your teacher, so you can time yourself with those.

In the exam, I did the bits I found easier first, and spent longer on the harder bits, and I checked over and over again until the time ran out. It's a shame to see the little ones doing the Grades 1 and 2 papers who leave after 40 minutes or so. They go through the paper, answer the questions and leave it at that. I might be wrong, and maybe they all get distictions, but somehow I doubt it!

Good luck!


A

I was one of them...4 distinctions, but i mihgt not be a typical early-leaver. I remember in G1, i finished after about 20 mins and had to sit fiddling with my rubber till i was allowed to leave.

If you haven't already then do work through some past papers and time yourself.
The format is pretty much the same every time even though there are variations in the way some of the questions are asked.
Get them marked so that you can tell if you have any gaps.

I've replied in the parents section.

Snap! My first theory exam as well (grade 5).

Welcome to the Forums!

Work methodically through the workbook and do as many past papers as you can get your hands on even if you're completely bored with having done heaps of past papers.


Good luck.

Good luck - as others have said the time allowance for theory exams is quite generous so hopefully you shouldn't feel it is a race against the clock. It is many many years since I did any theory exams but remember leaving my G5 exam early enough to worry my Father. ((actually he decided that I'd left so early there was no way I could have done the exam properly and that failing would be a 'useful life lesson'.......I got 99 (they were marked out of 99 then) so I think he got the life lesson......have a little more faith in me!!!))

Go through as many of the past papers as you can, the 1st couple you do seem quite daunting but you do soon get into the swing of them.

Don't get phased in the exam by the youngsters getting up and leaving early - some will be annoying little brats that know everything, many will have skipped out the checking it many times bit. Take your time and enjoy the challenge of pitting your wits against the paper.

Quite a few have said that theres no rush but exeactly how long do you get . I'm also taking my first theory exam in November and expect to fail - however the experience will hopefully prepare me for a pass in the spring

I think you can have up to 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on your grade. Honestly, you couldn't use up all the time, even if you tried.

Grades 1-3: 1.5 hours
Grades 4-5: 2 hours
Grades 6-8: 3 hours

Car Expert

You really shouldn't enter unless you're sure you can pass it!
What grade are you doing? Do you do past papers for marking by a teacher? This would surely show that you can pass.

Nobody ever wants to fail an exam, and I guess you're just preparing yourself for how you might feel if you do. But a bit of self confidence really does help on the day. When you're told to begin, it helps to know that when you turn that paper over you will be able to answer the questions.

My problem was always setting my sights too high. I was so upset to get 98% at grade 3. There was no way that I'd written out that scale incorrectly!!!

Good luck with it, and let us know how it goes!

A

Hi all

Thank you so much for all your replies, you have totally calmed me down. I have been working through old exam papers, which is definitly helping and I am going to take all of your advice and really work on learning the Italian terms too.

Every mark counts as they say!

I will let you all know how I get on as my exam is on the 7th November in Ireland.

Cheers
x

Good luck!


A

yes, old exam papers will help much!

don't forget to memorize the performance direction for grade 1, grade 2 and grade 3

calm down, newnote! it'll okay! prepare yourself!

good luck with the exam

I did the grade three exam yesterday as well. I thought it was easy compared tot eh past papers I'd been doing - nothing on interval names which is my best subject, but also nothing much on compound time signatures which I am very hit-and-miss on, and I thought it was a pretty easy paper.

So far I've got distinctions, and am expecting another one with this paper too (although could be famous last words!).

I did write the last question out wrong though - two octaves higher not one, then had to rub it out and do it again, btu there's plenty of time.

Next stop, grade four.

Hi there,

Yes, I got through it, I reckon I passed thank god. And that's all I hope, I never worry about getting distinctions and merits.

I found you needed every minute in the exam, as I have done a number of past papers in my kitchen and found I always had loads of time at the end. But I reckon I was just doing everything really slow and taking huge care on how neat my notes etc.. were.

Also it is amazing when you have loads of kids sitting around you, how intimidating it can be - but luckily enough there was 3 other adults in my exam, which was very comforting.

Fingers crossed now, i'll just have to wait for result day and in the meantime I have my piano and singing exam -so trying to get back into practising everyday again.

Goodluck to everybody with the rest of the exams.
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