Graded music exams, properly prepared for.
Trinity College London and ABRSM certified courses — repertoire, theory, aural and mock examinations.
What preparation involves
A graded examination is not only the pieces. It is scales and technical work, sight reading, aural tests and written theory, and each part carries marks that students routinely leave on the table.
We prepare students for Trinity College London and ABRSM graded examinations, and we run mock examinations beforehand so that the room, the timing and the nerves are familiar rather than new.
Questions parents ask
Which board should we enter?
It depends on the instrument and on what the student wants afterwards. We will recommend one once we have heard the student play; it is not a decision to make from a brochure.
How long does a grade take?
For a student practising consistently, roughly a year per grade at the lower grades, longer higher up. Practice between classes matters far more than the number of classes.
Are exam fees included?
No. Examination boards charge their own entry fee, paid directly to them. We will tell you the amount and the deadline well in advance.
What if my child is not ready?
We will say so before the entry deadline. Entering a student who is not ready teaches them that examinations are things you fail, which is the opposite of the point.