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A life with music

About our exams About our exams

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What we offer

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Practical Grades

What? 
Face-to-face exams for instrumentalists and singers

For
Assessing all-round musical skills, including performance  

Who?
All learners - up to nine levels 

Performance Grades

What? 
Digital exams for instrumentalists and singers  

For?
Assessing performance skills  

Who?
All learners - up to nine levels  

Music Theory

What? 
Online and paper-based exams that focus on how music works 

For?
Assessing musical knowledge and understanding 

Who?
All learners - eight levels 

Music Medals

What? 
Digital, teacher-led assessments for a wide range of instrumentalists that support group learning

For?
Assessing all-round musical skills, including performance 

Who?
Younger learners, assessed by teachers - five levels 

Prep Test

What? 
Relaxed face-to-face assessment for instrumentalists and singers with no pass or fail  

For?
Assessing musical skills and understanding and introducing the exam experience 

Who?
Beginners

Performance Assessment

What? 
Face-to-face assessment for instrumentalists and singers with no pass or fail 

For?
Providing an objective, independent evaluation of a performance of own-choice music 

Who?
All learners 

Practical Musicianship

What? 
Face-to-face exams for instrumentalists and singers with a focus on musical knowledge and understanding.  

For?
Assessing musical listening, reading and playing/singing skills  

Who?
All learners - eight levels  

Group Exams

What? 
Face-to-face exams for Choral Singing, Ensembles and Jazz Ensembles 

For?
Assessing group performance skills

Who?
All learners in groups and ensembles at three levels 

Find out more

About us

Find out more about who we are and what we do

Our history

Learn about history of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music

About our exams

Check what we offer and how you can book an exam

Why music exams?

Working towards an ABRSM exam encourages the development of musical skills, knowledge and understanding that can provide the foundation for a life-long love of music. All our assessments offer carefully structured requirements and goals along with objective assessment and recognition for progress. 

Musical stories

Discover inspiring tales, expert tips, and valuable advice from around the musical world.
ABRSM
Performance Grades
The joy of performance – Connor’s story

We asked some of our scholars, studying at our partner Royal Schools, to share their feelings about performance and provide some tips. This week we hear from Connor… 

ABRSM
Singing
Singing for Musical Theatre
New songs added to our Singing for Musical Theatre lists

We’ve recently published our newly-updated repertoire lists for Singing for Musical Theatre exams.

ABRSM
Music Theory
Extra support for Music Theory exams – from January 2024

From 11 January 2024 candidates will have access to a new online Music Theory practice platform to prepare for their Grade 1 to 5 exams.

ABRSM
Diversity and Inclusion
Exploring syllabus composers: Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

In this second instalment of a series about the lives of influential composers featured on our syllabuses, composer and performer Althea Talbot-Howard shines a spotlight on the Romantic composer

ABRSM
Partnerships
The joy of performance – Felicitas’ story

We asked some of our scholars, studying at our partner Royal Schools, to share their feelings about performance and provide some tips. This week we hear from Felicitas… 

ABRSM
Performance Assessment: new name from 2024 plus exciting opportunities for Clarion players

In early 2024 we’re changing the name of our Performance Assessment to the Open Music Assessment to better reflect the accessible nature of this assessment.

ABRSM
Diplomas
New Performance diplomas - full details available now

The qualification specification for the new LRSM and FRSM diplomas in Music Performance is available now!  

ABRSM
Compose an audio logo for ABRSM!

We are inviting you to compose an audio logo that will become part of our brand!  

ABRSM
Diversity and Inclusion
Celebrating Black female composers

This year’s theme for Black History Month is Celebrating our Sisters, emphasising the important role Black women have played in shaping our society.

ABRSM
Performance Grades
Practical Grades
Singing
Reviewing our Singing syllabuses

Ali Bowen-Davies, our Head of Assessment and Curriculum, introduces some small but important changes to our Singing repertoire lists. 

Apps
Performance Grades
Practical Grades
Violin
Bowed Strings
ABRSM
Violin exam pieces available as Interactive Sheet Music on Tomplay

Learn more about Interactive Sheet Music

Jazz
Piano
ABRSM
Debussy to Dame Edna – Isata’s Musical Influences

Selecting pieces to feature in Piano Inspiration – the new two volume collection of piano music published by ABRSM - was a labour of love for Isata Kanneh-Mason.

ABRSM
Diversity and Inclusion
Joseph Bologne, the Chevalier de Saint-Georges

In the first of a series on the lives of influential composers, composer and performer Althea Talbot-Howard shines a spotlight on this extraordinary musician.

Partnerships
Reinvestment in Music Education
ABRSM
Play On: supporting singing in the Cayman Islands

Play On: supporting singing in the Cayman Islands

Diplomas
ABRSM
News about our diplomas

News about our diplomas

We’re excited to share an update about our new diplomas, which will give performers, teachers and directors opportunities to study for and achieve high-quality, advance-level

Bowed Strings
ABRSM
Landmark string syllabuses offer more choice than ever

Landmark string syllabuses offer more choice than ever

ABRSM
Diversity and Inclusion
Partnerships
In conversation with the Sunday Boys musical director, Michael Betteridge

In conversation with the Sunday Boys musical director, Michael Betteridge

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Cello with colourway