I hope someone can help, and I apologise in advance if this is covered somewhere, but I couldn't find it.

I'm about to sit my first practical exam in the cello (grade 4), and I'm not sure what level I'm at - merit or distinction.

My teacher told me not to worry too much about the scales and arpeggios as they only form a small percentage of the marks.
I have a different opinion; I think I should be aiming to get full marks in that section.

So my question is, how many marks are awarded for each section of the exam, and how is it broken down.

I'd really appreciate an answer to this, or a link to an answer as I think it would help with my nerves and prepartion.
thank you.

ABRSM Practical Exams

Pieces 30 x 3
Scales & arpeggios 21
Sight Reading 21
Aural Tests 18
Total 150

To pass 100
Merit 120
Distinction 130

Scales are just as important as the rest of the programme

Have a look at the These Music Exams booklet...page 39-43 show you what examiners are looking for in each mark band, as well as how many marks each section is worth.

thank you.

to the forums and YAY another cello person!

I did exactly the same thing as you with jumping in at grade 4, and it was fine. Don't worry about how many marks you can get and what you should be aiming for, just try to do everything as well as you can and keep smiling! The scale/arpeggios are quite important- you will need to build on the in later grades- but don't stress about them too much (not like i am! ).
Most importantly, have fun!

I think that's stupid advice (but then I'm no teacher, or cellist). As has been pointed out, scales attract quite a few points and in my view, if you can be bothered to learn them reasonably well, they are cheap points - much easier than playing a piece well.

The same applies to aural and ought to apply to sight reading, but I'm rubbish at that

Well I'm a teacher and I agree scales are easy marks - learn them till you can't make a mistake, play them fluently and evenly and it's difficult to go wrong.

thanks all. I agree scales ought to be easy marks and I should aim to get full marks in them; must be near to impossible to get full marks on your pieces as there are different variants at play...

I'm struggling with the upper octave argeggios, but I guess I'll just keep practising for the next 5 days. Say a few prayers