ABRSM

Associate Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) is an internationally recognized educational body and the world’s leading provider of graded music exams and assessment. ABRSM is based in London, UK, and the British Council is its representative. This organization runs exams in centres all over the world whereby there are over 600,000 candidates who take their music exams annually in more than 90 countries.

Established in 1889, the Associate Board offered 35 instruments. Singing, theory and practical musicianship are open to students of all ages. At the same time, it provides schools, private music teachers and general public with a scheme of music examinations of well recognized authority that is able to nurture and evaluate an individual’s performance and progress.

A structured framework for the progression of a beginner to an advanced musician is provided for graded music exam. Most subjects are offered from Grade 1 to Grade 8 and there are three standards for students to pass, which are straight pass, a pass with merit and a pass with distinction. There are four types of graded exams, which are Practical Exams (the most commonly taken exams and they are available for 35 instruments examined through four parts: set music pieces, scales, sight-reading and aural), Theory Exams (which is examined through written papers), Jazz Exams (they are available for a variety of instruments and they are marked as the same way as practical exams) and Practical Musicianship (examines the candidates’ understanding of melody, harmony and rhythm and the ability to respond to the questions of music). Candidates are allowed to sit for any practical or theory exam grades without taking any other graded exams. However, theory exam, jazz exams and practical musicianship have to be subjected to a minimum of Grade 5 level in order to progress to practical examination of Grade 6 to 8.

As the world’s leading specialist in music examination and assessment, ABRSM carries a well recognized international authority with its consistent and rigorous approach. The purpose of examination and assessment is to motivate students of all levels and ages to develop individual skills and talents. A series of realistic goals and tangible rewards are provided for a certain level of achievement. Students are highly encouraged to play and experience the greatness of music by embracing a wide range of genres.