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
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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