Piano
About Piano exams
We offer a range of assessments for pianists, from the Prep Test and Initial Grade for beginners up to Grade 8 and diplomas in Music Performance for advanced musicians.
Read on to find out more.
New Piano Syllabuses – available 6 June 2024
Piano Syllabuses 2025 & 2026 – for Performance and Practical Grades with refreshed repertoire for all grades from Initial to Grade 8.
There are no changes to scales and arpeggios, sight-reading and aural tests for Practical Grades.
You can use the new repertoire in exams from 1 January 2025.
There’s also a one-year overlap period ending on 31 December 2025. During the overlap period you can choose your three set pieces from the previous (2023 & 2024) syllabus.
Piano Exam Pieces 2025 & 2026 – books of selected pieces for all grades with direct access to audio recordings of the entire syllabus through major streaming platforms.
New Piano Prep Test book – for assessments from January 2025 with newly-commissioned pieces to spark the imagination and provide an accessible and enjoyable first assessment.
Other resources to support the new syllabus – Piano Teaching Notes, digital sheet music for selected pieces and an updated Piano Practice Partner app featuring the new repertoire.
Practical Grades are face-to-face exams that focus on all-round musical knowledge and skills, including performance. In the exam you perform three pieces, play scales and arpeggios and take sight-reading and aural tests.
Pianists can take Practical Grades at Initial Grade and Grades 1 to 8.
Exams are open to candidates of any age, but if you are taking a Practical Grade 6, 7 or 8 you must pass Grade 5 (or above) in Music Theory, Practical Musicianship or a Jazz Practical Grade before you book your exam.
Downloads
Download the Piano Practical Grades qualification specification. This includes the syllabus, repertoire lists, marking criteria and exam requirements.
Performance Grades are digital exams assessed from a video recording. They have a strong focus on performance, including communication, interpretation and delivery. In the exam you perform a programme of four pieces.
Pianists can take Performance Grades at Initial Grade and Grades 1 to 8. There are no booking periods or exam sessions so you can choose when to book, record and submit your exam.
Exams are open to candidates of any age, but if you are taking a Performance Grade 6, 7 or 8 you must pass Grade 5 (or above) in Music Theory, Practical Musicianship or a Jazz Practical Grade before you book your exam.
As well as reading the qualification specification and syllabus for your instrument, you should read our Performance Grade guidance which includes important information about recording and submitting your exam video. Follow the link below to find out more.
Downloads
Download the Performance Grades qualification specification and Piano Performance Grades syllabus, which includes the repertoire lists.
