Hi all! I was wondering whether anyone has received his/her LRSM result. I just got mine today. Have you ever heard of anyone who got a distinction mark, but yet failed the exam?

I'm so disappointed, it just happened to me :S I got a 71% but failed my quick study (scored 4/15), which I don't think I deserved!!! I'm so angry!


Christine

I am so sorry thats really disappointing . I shouldnt think this happens very often.

Look on the bright side. You've already established a generally high level. You can retake just the quick study (you don't have to do the whole exam again) and still get that distinction overall.

Oh dear, sorry to hear that, Christine. How annoying. The Quick Study does seem to be the bugbear for such a lot of people. I noticed quite a few people re-taking just the QS when I took my Dip recently. Still waiting for my result . Well done on your distinction for the other bits, however!

Thank you for your posts. Yes, you're right.. in fact I am looking at the bright side of it, and I'm quite happy. The irony of the situation is that I feel like celebrating but I can't! Well, never mind, I'm applying for the QS straightaway..

Won't you need some time to get this part of the exam up to the required level?

I think I have enough time because I'm already prepared for it; my sight reading is of an acceptable level (at least that's what I feel). That's why I feel the mark I got is so unjust. Plus the examiner commented that I got the right mood, expression and dynamics; she just felt the tempo was slightly fast and I had some inaccurate notes. What would you expect of a quick study? It is a "quick" study after all

Yes, that does sound particularly harsh marking. I assume your exam was recorded? If so, would you consider putting in an appeal on the result? That is often a sensible course of action if the score doesn't seem to match the comments (and the marking criteria in the syllabus)...

I don't think the exams are routinely recorded are they?

You were probably just unlucky on the day and this is a pretty high level exam, so the standard is going to be fairly demanding. Maybe you could have a few lessons from a teacher who specialises in diploma preparation - there might be a few helpful hints they could give, to guarantee you a successful outcome next time.

Personally I don't really think good sight-reading is essential for a performing pianist - justifiable for teachers or accompanists, but seems very unfair to fail a performance diploma for that

Yes, I think the performance parts of the ABRSM diplomas are recorded for monitoring and moderation purposes.

Yes mine was certainly recorded.

By the way, here are the marking criteria which are written on the 2005 Performance syllabus:

"Did not meet the basic
requirements of the test.
Some fundamental errors
and little or no attention to
matters of detail. A flawed
methodology and/or
insufficient technique
(including continuity)."

And I don't think I fit into this description.

Does anyone have an idea on how to put in an appeal?

Taken from the syllabus:-

"An appeals procedure exists for candidates who feel they have been dealt with unfairly
or inefficiently by the Associated Board or its examiners on a matter of procedure.
Appeals on purely academic grounds (e.g. if a candidate is disappointed by his/her
result) are not permitted. An appeal, if upheld, could lead to a re-examination, a review
of the result, or some other course of action beneficial to the candidate. Before the
Associated Board embarks upon the formal appeals procedure, it would need to be
convinced that there is a prima facie case for an appeal, on the grounds that some aspect
of the examination process has been handled other than in accordance with syllabus
regulations, and that this is likely to have affected the candidate’s result.
Candidates wishing to appeal against the procedure of a Diploma assessment should
write to the Quality Assurance Manager within 14 days of the issue of the result. They
should clearly state the grounds for appeal and how these are felt to have affected the
result; evidence supporting the claim must be given. A copy of the mark form should be
enclosed. The Chief Examiner will then review the appeal, taking advice where
necessary. Should there be further dispute, the case will be referred directly to the
Diploma Board, which may then appoint a panel to consider the appeal. The decision of
this panel shall be final."

I would ring the ABRSM HQ directly and ask for the Diploma Office. They can then give you chapter-and-verse on how to appeal. Given the 14 day limit, it is probably best to do that as soon as poss! Good luck!!


It is not sight-reading, it is a Quick Study. I hate to debate semantics, but I feel there is a distinction...
It is the nature of the beast. If it is not to your taste, then LTCL Recital is an appropriate alternative!

Ideally, the quick study should be played to performance standard, so I suspect the inaccurate notes were the main reason for your low mark. It's not sightreading because you get 5 minutes to look at it before you play, and you're expected to use your judgement about tempo, etc, to produce a musical performance.

At LRSM they are looking for a very high standard, which you have obviously achieved in the other two parts of the exam. Perhaps you underestimated the requirements for the quick study this time, but I'm sure you can up your game before the next session; it must be lovely to know that you'll have a distinction as soon as the quick study is under your belt.

Sounds to me like this candidate did just that, and still got a very low mark. I have friends who have done this exam and whose experience of the QS was very similar - if you get the overall shape of the piece, inject the correct level of 'style' and have _some_ note/rhythmic slips, you are not going to fail it. I still believe an appeal is the best route here - given that the exam was recorded. There is a clear mismatch between the comments on the mark sheet and the mark awarded which is always a sign that an appeal should be considered.

I wonder which would be resolved quicker - the appeal or the re-take?

The result of the appeal might just be a free re-take of the QS. In that case, it is worth it just for the saved ££. Plus if our candidate is in Malta, is there more than one dip session a year?...

Yes, in fact I've decided to appeal, and I have also applied for a retake (in March/April session). Now, whichever will be resolved first, I don't really mind (as you said, if the appeal is solved after the retake, I could take the money back). I don't know whether they will take my appeal into consideration; I haven't heard of anyone who did that before. But I'll just try and then come what may.

Do you know of anyone who has made an appeal before? What was the outcome?