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I hope to sit my Grade '8' piano exam. early next year in 2006

The biggest problem I have is the Aural Test(s). The grade '8' Cadential chord progression test I am finding a struggle. I have no problem recognizing the cadence at the end of the passage, but working out of the proceeding (two) chords before the cadence I am finding very difficult, and it doses't help when these chords can be not just in root position, but in the inversion form.

Is there anybody that can offer any advice, tips, or any method regarding this problem, any sort of help would be very much appreciated. Is this just a problem unique to me?

I know having perfect pitch would help, but unfortunately I haven't got that.

The thread here is about cadences in Grade 8

Many people find that getting hold of a hymn-book and just playing, playing, playing the tunes helps - they are full of cadences. Play slowly and really absorb the sound of the chords.

You need a proper hymn-book, not a book of worship songs.
Something like Ancient and Modern, English Hymnal. Otherwise pick out the more traditional tunes from a more modern book.

Keyboard harmony can help to to get to know the usual approaches to cadences.

You could try Dorothy Pilling's 'Harmonization of Melodies at the Keyboard'.

The adding chords question in grade 6 theory is useful too.
If you can actually get the right cadence there are not so many common progressions to learn... just go about talking to yourself to get fluent in saying them (just say after me... iib Ic V I) .

I recently got 100% in the Aural part of Grade 8 Piano exam and I'm still recovering from the surprise at getting this score! Here's how I prepared for the Aural tests in the few weeks leading up to the exam. Hopefully it might help you a bit.
I recorded all of the examples from the Specimen Aural tests Book on my midi software and listened to them all almost every day for a couple of weeks. I wrote down the correct answers for each excercise and kept checking my answers against the correct ones written down. Eventually, I was starting to recognise the texture and sound of the chords and cadences in each example and this helped me in recognising similar ones in the exam examples. Funnily though, I dont remember being asked what the inversion of each chord was, only the chord itself.
Obviously, doing more Aural tests with your teacher will help but as an extra ear training activity something similar to what I did could be worthwile. It might seem long winded but there are no short cuts in music. Good Luck!!

Gae