ABRSM: Exams at Public Venues – what’s changing

Latest exam updates

Music Theory exams – March 2021

Online Music Theory exams (Grades 1 to 5) – we are cancelling the online exams planned for 16 March. Exams in May and June will go ahead as planned.
Paper Music Theory exams (Grades 6 to 8) – the next exams will take place in June. Please note, dates and booking periods for Grades 1-5 and Grades 6-8 may be different from now on. For full details, see our dates and fees page.
Grade 5 Music Theory requirement - from 1 January to 30 April 2021 only, candidates can take Grade 6 to 8 Performance or Practical exams without first passing Grade 5 Music Theory. From 1 May 2021, the Grade 5 Music Theory requirement will return with flexibility about timing. If you receive an email asking for your proof of prerequisite, please ignore this. We will still release any results in line with the arrangements outlined here.

For more information click here.

Performance Grade booking

We will be offering Performance Grade exams every month for the remainder of 2021. Exact dates will be announced soon. Please check here for more information.

Exams at Public Venues

If you are booking exams at a Public Venue organised by us you can:

Choose your practical exam date and venue

When you book your exams you will be able to choose dates and venues from a list of options. You will know your exam date(s) as soon as you book and pay.
You can choose your date and venue, but not the time of your exam. We will email you to confirm the time of your appointment(s) once the booking period has closed and we have finalised the timetables.

Change practical exam appointments online

Once the booking period has closed and we have confirmed your exam times, you can go online to change an exam date, if space is available.
You can do this up to 48 hours (two full days) before the exam date.

What you need to know

Booking periods for exams

The booking period is when you can book exams for the forthcoming exam session. Each booking period has an ‘opening date’ as well as a ‘closing date’.

Book early for more choice of practical exam dates

For the widest choice of dates and venues, please book your practical exams as soon as the booking period opens. The earlier you book the more choice you will have.

Late booking

Once the booking period has closed and timetables are confirmed, it may be possible to make late bookings for practical exams if space is available.

What about Music Theory exams?

All Music Theory exams will continue to take place on set dates.
We are unable to accept late bookings for Music Theory exams.

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