Does anyone know anything about music exams being worth gcse's/a-levels?

Well grades 6 upwards get you UCAS points.

I believe most Universities will accept Grade 8 Theory + Grade 8 Practical in place of 'A' Level Music if applying to do a music degree.

QUOTE (ujbrass @ May 19 2005, 09:48 PM)

I believe most Universities will accept Grade 8 Theory + Grade 8 Practical in place of 'A' Level Music if applying to do a music degree.

This is a common myth.

Certainly, up to a few years ago music colleges like the RAM, RCM and RNCM were accepting this. I cannot say whether they still do.

Universities with a heavy academic bias to their course, such as Manchester, were not. I suspect it will be a case of 'horses for courses' and the reaction to grade 8 theory + grade 8 practical instead of 'A' level music will depend on the culture of the institution.

I stress, though, that my experience of this at 6th form level is three years out of date. Just don't take anything for granted.

QUOTE (thepianoplayer @ May 19 2005, 06:47 PM)

Does anyone know anything about music exams being worth gcse's/a-levels?

I am writing as I understand the situation. Be warned that I may have mis-understood.

On reflection, as usual, I want to add to my earlier comments.

Music exams have no bearing on GCSE's.

AS-A2 level assigns these points to practical exam passes:

Grade 6 Distinction = 45 points, midway between a C and a B at AS level
Merit = 40 points ie a C.
Pass = 25 points, midway between and E and a D

Grade 7 Distinction = 60 points = A at AS level, D at AS level
Merit = 55, midway between B and A at AS, just below D at A2
Pass = 40 points = C at AS, E at 2

Grade 8 Distinction = 70 points = A at AS, mid point between C and D at A2
Merit = 65 points = A at AS, just less than a distinction as A2
Pass = 55 points = midway between A and B at AS, just under D at A2

Ye Gods. Working that lot out was hard work. To summarise: grades 6 & 7 help with AS points. Grade 8 helps with A2 points - these are the points the universities are interested in.

My understanding is that university admissions tutors will use additional points to differentiate between equally qualified candidates. Take this imaginary scenario:

A medical school has 1 place left and 2 candidates in the frame. Both have 10 grade A at GCSE. Both are predicted 4 A's at A2 level. One has passed grade 8 piano. The second has passed grade 8 clarinet with distinction. The second candidate receives the offer because her disctintion is worth more A
A2 points the the pass gained by the first.

The point is that university admissions tutors use a points system for extra-curricular activities, alocating these points to applicants for places. They use them to differentiate between otherwise equally qualified candidates. These points are not to be considered as an extra 'A' level qualification.

My advice here reflects the advice I give to my students. If anybody knows better, then pleeeeeeeeease speak up.

QUOTE (SteveHopwood @ May 19 2005, 10:51 PM)

A medical school has 1 place left and 2 candidates in the frame. Both have 10 grade A at GCSE. Both are predicted 4 A's at A2 level. One has passed grade 8 piano. The second has passed grade 8 clarinet with distinction. The second candidate receives the offer because her disctintion is worth more A A2 points the the pass gained by the first.

My understanding is that if the subject isn't music and it's an institution that can afford to be picky about students they won't even use the UCAS points at all. The offers will just be for the As at A-level and two indistinguishable applicants (based on A-levels and GCSEs) would just both be given an offer: since people apply to six universities and ultimately go to one, universities always give out about three offers per place anyway: if too many people make it they still have to take anyone who was given and makes an offer and incur a financial penalty. Most good universities will stipulate specific A-level grades and specific subjects to attain them in and won't give points offers anyway.

Thanks for raising this topic - here's what I found at page http://www.abrsm.org/?page=exams/ucas.html
(I've just pasted it here)

"
UCAS points for higher grades
For teachers with more advanced pupils it’s worth remembering that Grades 6, 7 and 8 now attract points under the UCAS Tariff. UCAS – the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service – is the organisation that processes applications for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the UK.

The UCAS Tariff is a points system used to indicate levels of achievement for entry to higher education. It establishes equivalences between qualifications and allows a comparison between applicants who may have a range of different qualifications. UCAS Points are available for both practical exams (instrumental and singing) and written theory exams as outlined below:

Practical (instruments and singing)
Grade 8
Distinction: 75 points, Merit: 70 points, Pass: 55 points

Grade 7
Distinction: 60 points, Merit: 55 points, Pass: 40 points

Grade 6
Distinction: 45 points, Merit: 40 points, Pass: 25 points

Please note that Practical Musicianship exams do not qualify for UCAS Points.

Theory
Grade 8
Distinction: 30 points, Merit: 25 points, Pass: 20 points

Grade 7
Distinction: 20 points, Merit: 15 points, Pass: 10 points

Grade 6
Distinction: 15 points, Merit: 10 points, Pass: 5 points


Students can claim points for both theory and practical exams, based on the highest grade taken. For example, a student with practical Passes at Grades 6 and 7 and a Merit at Grade 6 theory would claim for the theory and for the Grade 7 practical – giving a total of 50 points. For comparison, AS levels attract between 20 and 60 points and A levels attract between 40 and 120 points, depending on the grade achieved.

The availability of UCAS points for higher-grade music exams is an added bonus for young musicians applying for university or college places in the UK and can help to motivate pupils who might otherwise consider giving up their musical learning.

Please note, that as with all awards under the UCAS Tariff, admissions tutors may accept, or not, the tariff values for the courses for which students apply.

For more information about UCAS visit www.ucas.com
"

QUOTE (AnotherPianist @ May 20 2005, 11:38 AM)

My understanding is that if the subject isn't music and it's an institution that can afford to be picky about students they won't even use the UCAS points at all.

I have heard that too, in connection with an Oxford college.

QUOTE (SteveHopwood @ May 20 2005, 01:01 PM)

QUOTE (AnotherPianist @ May 20 2005, 11:38 AM) My understanding is that if the subject isn't music and it's an institution that can afford to be picky about students they won't even use the UCAS points at all. I have heard that too, in connection with an Oxford college.

Along similar lines, my offer from Durham (years n years ago lol, well, 8 or so) was "240 points from 3 a levels including at least a B in English Lit and French"... Most of my offers were for grades not points. It does depend largely on the institution, but I suspect that the UCAS points from grade exams wouldn't make vast amounts of difference except for music courses or if an institution was trying to make their offer as "doable" as possible.