I've entered seven pupils on brass instruments for this session and just received their examination dates. Two on one date, 4 on another date and one on a third date - all at the same examination centre and under the same applicant reference. I have to try to arrange accompanists for three separate days - this virtually impossible, I may even have to withdraw one or more pupils as a telephone call to the Ireland exams unit indicated that all the slots are full.

I have been entering pupils for years and when they were all under the same applicant number they all were examined on the same day which makes it so much easier to arrange an accompanist. My accompanist would have to take three days off work to do this.

This is awkward and does not encourage me to continue.

John Adams 15610

I always thought that entries put in together by the same applicant were examined on the same day and consecutively...

So did I...

Yes, I'm in the UK. This is the first time I have had pupils spread over a number of days, Northern Ireland.

I'm a bit worried as I'm in Northern Ireland too & am supposed to be accompanying violins -2 different grades, flute & possibly trumpet. Wouldn't want to keep going back to the exam centre on different days.
Did hear of someone having similar problem with Trinity this time. The exams seem to be grouped as grades rather than by applicant no.
What centre are you using - I'm Antrim

I'm using Bangor

Did you enter your pupils online, and did you enter them all in one go or in three different goes?

I found that with the original online form that you could ener some pupils, then add more onto the bottom of the same form if you wanted too, and they would all be treated as one entry. But with the new form (a couple of years ago now), you have to start from scratch each time, and each is treated as a separate entry. You can email and ask for them all to be examined together, but even so you will still receive separate notification of the exam dates and separate envelopes with results. And if you withdraw a candidate from the first lot they won't let you put all the others earlier, you have a gap in the middle of your pupils which may be filled with someone else's pupil.

Our school has had their exams grouped together but in a different centre to the one requested - the centre we have been given is 35 miles away (instead of 8 miles away). Didn't know they could do this? Teacher asked if it could be changed - the answer was "No"

Juze, I think you have hit the nail on the head. I did enter them online but at three different times, although on the same day - I should have saved each and then submitted them all together. As you say, I do remember adding on entries previously but hadn't realised the change in the form would have this effect.

Ah well - we live and learn.

As a brass tutor one of the most stressing matters for me is organising accompanists/parents/students - it would certainly be helpful if ABRSM were able to put all entries from the one applicant together - but having said that - the answer is simply to ensure I hit the 'enter' button for them all at the same time.

Andy, do you use Belfast at all?

John

No I haven't used Belfast at all. We usually use Antrim - very handy & I know the piano/ exam room etc but the school has been allocated Ballymoney which is 35miles away. My own flute exam Is on the next day in the requested centre but my piano teacher can't accompany me then & although I have phoned to try & change it I have been told that there are no free slots. I really don't know what to do. Do you know anyone who would accompany a grade 7 flute exam on 21st June at 16:39. Do i just keep phoning & praying that something else turns up?

QUOTE

would certainly be helpful if ABRSM were able to put all entries from the one applicant together

Yes, but occasionally I actually want the dates to be different - say if I want some pupils to be examined in a different week from the others. If the AB lumped them all together automatically this would be a problem!

But I have often entered most of my pupils, then put some more in as an afterthought, and an email quoting your applicant number always does the trick!

I eased off teaching for two years and perhaps I wasn't as sharp as I should have been when putting the entries in.

Andy, I'll email you my phone number, may be able to put you in touch with someone as yours is late afternoon - not sure but worth a try.

John Adams

Andy, Won't let me email you on this board, I normally use teachers forum and I'm not particularly familiar with that.

ujbrass - I have put my email address in so if you are logged in & click on the Yahoo sign under this posting I think you should see my email address. Hope it works, look forward to hearing from you.

Andy, I have never heard of candidates not receiving exam dates in their chosen centre before. Any other teachers have this problem? I wouldn't worry too much yet about not being able to change your exam time. The dates/times are only just being sent out and I know there are always cancellations/changes. Last year I had to rearrange the time of one of my grade 8 students' exams because is clashed with her AS English. The first time I phoned there were no available slots but several phone calls, emails and about ten days later she was able to get a different day albeit at a different centre. Did you phone the board or the local rep? Sometimes I find the local rep can swap candidates who also have a problem with their allocated time. Hope you get it sorted.