I am having my grade 5 exam after 3 days, and actually it is my first ABRSM exam. I don't know what to expect. I am totally prepared and i aim for distinction.
I wanted to know which scales and arpeggios are most likely to be required in the exam... will they be all black ones (F# major, B major, Eb minor,.....etc.) or what?

Also, about the speed of scales, should i play it with the indicated tempo in theseMusicExams or can i play them a bit faster and if i did so will i accredited on that or what?

Last but not least, concerning sight reading, what are the levels of pieces that are expected to be handed in the exam, keeping in mind that this is a Grade 5 exam. And, can i play them with extra slow tempo so that no slips occur or i will be penalized for that???

Sorry for all these question but i will be disappointed if i passed with merit.
Thanks,
Khaled

You could be asked for any of the scales on the syllabus.
Better not to go too fast and risk slips, you will not get extra marks for speed but for accuracy and musicallity.

For sight reading there is a book of specimen tests (to have worked through these would have made you preparation more thorough).. but whether you have time to check that out now or not I don;t know. The main thing is to keep going at a steady pulse, no stopping to correct note errors, try to observe any dynamic markings. You should try to take notice of speed indications.

Good luck.

I assume you mean in three days time not after 3 days of learning . As for which scales will be asked for a good variety of different ones rather than all the ones the examiner thinks are hard (they may think that you'll practise all the hard ones so ask for the easy ones to catch you out; or they may think that you can't do the hard ones because they're harder so they'll always want a selection of both). Be aware that they also might ask for the scales hands-separately so be ready for that. The examiner won't ask for all of the scales/arpeggios though, just a reasonable selection and some from each section (i.e. some major, some minor, some contrary motion, some chromatic).


The most important thing is to play them well at whatever speed and speed comes second, I'd advise since you only have 3 days to play at the speed you've been practising at. Generally play them as fast as you can whilst still not sacrificing quality.


If you get the chance between now and then try to get hold of a copy of the AB's specimen sightreading tests which are published for each grade, that will tell you exactly the standard (although in my experience the ones in the exam always seem slightly easier). Failing that the tests are roughly the standard of grade 2/3 exam pieces for grade 5 sightreading.


Duck now !