ABRSM Exams

Entering your Son/Daughter for an ABRSM Examination through College

The Junior Conservatoire does not impose any requirement to sit Grade examinations as we measure musical and technical development in other ways. Although taking grade exams can be very useful, we would suggest that it is not necessary to take one grade after another. Lastly, we advise students do not take a grade exam unless his/her tutor is confident of a very strong pass.

The Junior Conservatoire office will administer the exam entry (see below for more details). The following information is required to ensure that, following a recommendation by your son/daughter’s instrument/voice tutor, the correct ABRSM exam entry is made.

Practical exams (all instruments and voice)

  • Discuss with your son/daughter’s tutor whether your child is ready to enter for an exam (we advise that you do this well before the closing date)
  • If tutor recommends that an exam is taken, download the ABRSM entry form, which is available here, or contact the Junior Conservatoire office to request one.
  • The entry form gives details of the ABRSM fees and accompanist fees
  • Completed forms, signed by your son/daughter's tutor, should be given to the Junior Conservatoire office by the required deadline with the cheque for the correct amount
  • You will be informed of the exact time and date of the exam approximately 3 weeks before the exam date
  • If your son/daughter requires an accompanist, a rehearsal time will be allocated with him/her before the exam
  • The Junior Conservatoire office will post the exam result and report form immediately on receipt, which is usually between 3 and 6 weeks after the exam has been taken

Theory exams (up to and including Grade 5)

  • Theory exams are normally taken through Junior Conservatoire in the Summer Term only.
  • If a tutor recommends that an exam is taken, contact the Junior Conservatoire office to request an exam entry form, which gives details of the ABRSM fees
  • Completed forms should be given to the Junior Conservatoire office by the required deadline with the cheque for the correct amount
  • The Junior Conservatoire office will post the exam result and report form immediately on receipt, which is usually between 3 and 6 weeks after the exam has been taken

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION - PLEASE NOTE CAREFULLY

  • SITTING MORE THAN ONE PRACTICAL EXAM We strongly recommend that, if a student is taking two separate performance exams, they are not scheduled on the same day unless unavoidable
  • SPECIAL NEEDS If you need to declare any exceptional circumstances, (eg dyslexia) this MUST be done when submitting the form to the Junior Conservatoire office
  • THEORY REQUIREMENTS If entering for a practical exam at Grade 6, 7 or 8, the student MUST have passed Grade 5 theory beforehand. A Grade 5 theory exam cannot be taken in the same term as a Grade 6, 7 or 8 practical exam
  • APPEALS You must write to the Junior Conservatoire office within 7 days of the result of the exam if you wish to appeal against the outcome of the exam, clearly stating the grounds for your appeal. The Junior Conservatoire office will then send the complaint to the ABRSM within 14 days receipt of the result. If a complaint is upheld, it is the ABRSMs practice to offer a re-sit, rather than amend the original mark.