I have got my Grade 8 Theory finished last year with 82 (Merit), and I am planning to take AMusTCL or LMusTCL next year. I heard from my friend that two diplomas have two different grounds and it's better to take AMusTCL first. However, some of my friends say that the level of AMusTCL is equal to Grade 8 theory.

Any advice about that?

Personally, I see AMusTCL as harder than gr8 because the scope is wider. Given that your mark in gr8 theory wasn't spectacular, I would counsel against going for LMusTCL first. Better to consolidate what you already know and then dip your toe into the theory diploma waters with a cheeky AMusTCL attempt instead.

I'm starting on a theory diploma but have chosen to go with LCM as the Trinity ones were much more essay based. Actually 'doing' theory suits me much better than writing stuff which is not quite what I'd call theory. I'm no academic.

Just checked the syllabus, you have to have passed Grade 8 theory or AMus before doing LMus. AMusTCL is accepted in lieu of Grade 8 theory for ABRSM teaching diplomas, but this doesn't mean they're the same level. It's a very different style of assessment and it would probably be a better idea to start with AMus, and then you can see better what you will need to work on for the LMus.

How are you getting on with this sbhoa? I was interested in doing this (still am really) but fell at the first hurdle of printing off all the materials on the website!!

Thanks for all advices!!

still not sure taking Amus or Lmus, but in fact - is AMus assessment entirely different aspects from the LMus? I thought AMus needs to assess your musicianship (similar to grade 8) and you need essay-writing in LMus - is that true?

Getting on slowly.
My clarinet teacher is working on plans to teach me how to write the essay as it's not something I've ever been in the habit of doing. We've begun with the recording comparison questions and moving on to longer things. I don't think that clear instructions is one of LCM's strong points and their web site is a pain. The theory Dips are rather short on syllabus really. Unless we've missed it there is nowhere that lists what you are supposed to know so there is a certain amount of guesswork based on a small number of past papers at best.
We've done some of the questions on a score and are compiling a list of questions about what exactly they are after. There are some really odd combinations of questions with "explain pp" and being able to identify a major 3rd on the same paper as things like "comment on the orchestration with reference to the thematic material".
The next plan is to look at the LCM grade 8 workbook to see if that helps with the format of some of the answers. There are several differences between AB and LCM theory grades so I thought it would be useful to check these out and try to close the gaps.
Getting around to the harmony questions I may need to arrange to look at those with my piano teacher who is more comfortable with that. She's also an LCM examiner so maybe it will be easier for her to get the 'inside' knowledge.

At the moment it's a matter of see how it goes. May decide to use the DipMus material as preparation for moving on the the Amus. I think that there is more 'doing' and less writing on that as far as the mark weighting goes.

Actually this is the one thing I have done. Although I've done Grade 8 AB I too thought that checking out the Grade 8 of LCM would be a good starting point and I bought the workbook. Have not got very far yet. Unfortunately no teacher so will be doing this on my own.

Sorry to have taken this off topic.

LWell.... Just womdered if there is any difference about the grounds of AMus and LMus? I know about having questions about the movie soundtracks or pop music something, then about some musicianships similar to Grade 8... something like that. But how if I have finished my Grade 8, and just water some knowledge im AMus.. then proceed directly to LMus... which applies more musicianships.... is that possible?

Seems in the syllabus I can only see the differences about the Essay question on the topic.... confusing