ABRSM: A Comprehensive Guide

This guide provides an in-depth understanding of ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music), a charitable organization established in 1889 and officially started operating under the commercial name ABRSM in 2009. The organization was founded in London to provide graded music assessments and has established centers worldwide.

What is ABRSM?

ABRSM is one of four assessment bodies approved by the Office of Qualifications & Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) for awarding diplomas and graded music exams within the National Qualifications Framework of England (along with the London College of Music, Rockschool Ltd, and Trinity College London). Ofqual is a non-ministerial government department that regulates qualifications, exams, and assessments in England and vocational qualifications in Northern Ireland.

Constituent Royal Schools of Music

ABRSM is composed of the following Royal Schools of Music:

1. Royal Academy of Music: A conservatoire in London that is a member of the University of London's School of Advanced Study. Founded in 1822, it is recognized as the oldest degree-granting music school in Britain.
2. Royal College of Music (RCM): A conservatoire in South Kensington, London, established through a "royal charter" in 1822. The college is one of the nine conservatoires in England.
3. The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland: A conservatoire that offers courses in disciplines such as dance, drama, music, and production in the heart of Glasgow, Scotland's largest city. Founded in 1845, it hosts over 500 public performances each year.
4. Royal Northern College of Music: Established in 1973 in Manchester, England, this conservatoire is a center for music study and a venue for concerts and other musical activities.

Why ABRSM?

ABRSM's philosophy can be summarized in one phrase: "Enjoyment through achievement," a valuable experience obtaining an ABRSM qualification. If you are a hardworking individual striving to progress in music, you need a credible method to assess your success and ensure you are on the right path. What a music exam offers you includes:

• Motivation and inspiration, activity, and practice according to a fully codified syllabus for a specific purpose.
• A means to measure personal progress (as opposed to conventional global methods).
• A guide for improving musical skills.
• Assessment by independent and experienced musicians who have undergone higher education courses and are constantly being evaluated.
• An opportunity to perform and experience the true sense of achievement.

What are Graded Music Exams?

Typically, ABRSM's graded music exams include the following:

• Performance Pieces: In most ABRSM graded exams, the candidate must perform three pieces from the pieces introduced in the book related to their level, each of which is evaluated separately.
• Scales and Arpeggios: In this section, all scales and arpeggios must be played by heart, and the examiner usually requests at least one type of each for performance.
• Aural Training: In this section, speed and accuracy in responding to questions play a crucial role. Each exam requires a verbal or vocal response or accompaniment by clapping.
• Sight-Reading (Decipherage): In this section, candidates are asked to play short pieces they have not seen before. They have 30 seconds to prepare before the main exam begins. They can also test any part they want before starting the main exam.