Ok, im thinking of entering myself for some theory Exams, so what do i need to know, and also will i get my paper back after it has been marked?

HC

The theory syllabus tells you what you need to know for the actual exam: http://www.abrsm.org/resources/theorySyllabusComplete08.pdf
There are 'Music Theory in Practice' books available for G1-8, and 'Theory Workbooks' available for G6-8. You can buy several years' worth of past papers for all grades. For 2006, you can get G1-5 specimen answers; for 2007 you can get G1-8 specimen answers.

Here's the UK entry form: http://www.abrsm.org/resources/ukEntryForm08.pdf
And some notes to help you fill it in: http://www.abrsm.org/resources/ukSupplemen...formation08.pdf
You'll also need to know your exam centre's code: http://www.abrsm.org/resources/examCentres08.pdf
You can enter online if you already have an online entry ID. Otherwise, you can apply for an online ID, or simply fill in the form above and post it of.

No, you don't get your paper back after the exam. But you do get a marksheet which shows you your marks for each question.

Edited to add: These Music Exams also has a bit on theory exams...

Hiya....

Well, I'd start by looking under the "syllabus" section of the abrsm homepage - and then under theory - that'd give you an idea of what level you are at and any gaps in your knowledge you'd need to fill. The little red book ("First steps") would give you an idea of the content for each exam - it's almost a section per question really (and some questions draw on more than one area). I'd say if there's an area you don't know, then you'd need to suss it out before the exam as it's not a case of hoping it doesn't come up.
The prices for the exams are also on the homepage - I think they're under the exam entry section. You can request a paper exam entry form or submit a request to get a password etc and enter online (the advantage of this is that you can also get your result online, usually a couple of days earlier than you get it through the post). You can enter yourself for the exam and you don't have to take grade 1, then 2 etc, just start at the level you think you're at. You don't get your exam paper returned to you after the exam - but you do get a mark sheet listing the question numbers/topics and what marks you were awarded, out of the marks possible, for each section. You also get a posh looking certificate if you pass . There's some exam tips at the top of the theory page - entitled something along the lines of "as the next exams approach", which is very helpful, and also a list of theory book recommendations there somewhere.
I knew less than half of the grade 1 syllabus in November and learnt up to grade 3 and took that in February. It was a steep learning curve, but I threw myself into it. I don't think I could have learnt any more of the theory syllabus in 3 months ish. Also, the grades gradually add more creative stuff like composing rhythms and melodies etc as they go up. You'd therefore be hard pressed to learn grades 1-5 and take the grade 5 exams without doing at least one or two or the previous grade exams beforehand (unless your musical knowledge is already good), I reckon.
What sort of level are you at? Are you starting from scratch?

ps posting books out to you either today/tomorrow (second class i'm afraid, as it's cheaper!)

ah... well done Maizie - all the useful links! You beat me to it!

well, im about grade 3ish
but i want to take all the exams, mum would like me to aswell, that way i can really go through and ensure my knowledge is very thorough(sp?)

So im going to take an exam per session until probably grade 5, and work on each grade in the mean time, I dont really need to work on grade one because, ive look in the silly bus and i know everything from piano playing, so that should be too hard. Ill have a look through MTiP 1 and just make sure everything is good, but i think any problems i can rectify before June 10th


PS, entering online.
I have the code, but how do i find out where the centre is in the town?

You can make sure your knowledge is thorough by doing some past papers after each workbook.

You'll need to ring the HLR to ask where the centre is.
If it matter to you you might also want to check whether there are separate desks or if there are several people round a table which can be quite distracting (some younger candidates are awful fidgetters and can rock the tables when you are trying to write neatly).

Ok, im not really that bothered about sharing a desk to be honest,
If i (or dad:P) calls the HLR, will it be her (i have the number here) home phone, or will it be at an office?
If its an office, i assume they close at 5??

*confusion!*

Most likely a home number.

ok, shall get father to tele-ma-phone now.

right,
have submitted my appplication and dad has paid for it,
What happens now, we were unable to get ahold of the HLR and so will try tomorrow
Do i get anything in the post? I have heard people talking of a label i need to take?

HC

Yes, you'll get a letter with full details and a sticker to put on your paper (saves having to remember extra stuff like your name...) but it won't be until fairly close to the exam.
As the theory date and time are fixed ones you can put it in your diary now.

Yeh... wouldnt want to be forgetting that of all things...

Ok thanks for all the info.

Now, what the heck is a Sea Major?