I teach using a structured framework for progress without any requirement to take exams. However, some students find exams motivating, others want formal recognition of their playing standard, and in some cases they are an option within GCSE and A-level music. I frequently help students prepare for exams, and all have passed with good marks, mostly merit and distinction.
Graded music exams are structured to support progression from beginner to advanced levels. Most boards start with pre-Grade 1 levels (sometimes called “Initial” or “Preparatory”) designed for early learners taking their first steps. Grades 1–8 form the main pathway, with each grade introducing more challenging repertoire, technical skills, and musicianship requirements. Note that students taking exam grades 6 and above are normally required to have passed Grade 5 theory or an equivalent qualification. After Grade 8, students can progress to diplomas, which are professional-level qualifications focusing on performance, teaching, or music direction.
There are several options for piano exams in the UK, with four main exam boards and different formats to choose from: practical or performance, and in-person or recorded. Below is a brief guide to help you understand the choices. I’ll also discuss directly with students and parents to find the best fit. All of these boards’ grades are recognised by Ofqual and sit on the RQF (Regulated Qualifications Framework), meaning that, for example, a Grade 5 from one board is officially equivalent to a Grade 5 from another.
1. ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music)
Overview:
The most widely known UK exam board, Exam pieces must be chosen from a list of options in the syllabus, and ABRSM publish books containing a selection of pieces for each grade.
Exam Options:
- Practical Grades (In-person): Three pieces, scales/arpeggios, sight-reading, and aural tests. Nearest centres: Trowbridge, Bath, Salisbury (and occasionally Westbury).
- Performance Grades (Recorded): A video submission of four pieces, with no technical or aural tests. These can be taken at any time/location.
Pros:
- Balanced assessment of performance and musicianship (practical).
- Exam centres within easy reach
- Performance Grades provide an option for students who prefer not to take the ancilliary tests.
Considerations:
- Practical exams are demanding, with multiple skills tested.
- Performance Grades focus only on repertoire, missing other musicianship elements.
2. Trinity College London
Overview:
Trinity has a reputation for flexibility and interesting repertoire in the syllabus. Repertoire books are available for purchase for each grade.
Exam Options:
- Practical Grades (In-person): Three pieces, technical work, and one supporting test (choice of sight-reading, improvisation, or aural). Nearest centre: Bath (and occasionally Frome).
- Performance Grades (Recorded): Four pieces, recorded in one continuous take. These can be taken at any time/location.
Pros:
- Choice of supporting tests to suit different strengths.
- Wide and contemporary repertoire.
- Recorded option gives flexibility of timing/location.
Considerations:
- Fewer location options for in-person exams than ABRSM
3. LCM (London College of Music Exams)
Overview:
LCM offers a wide syllabus and publish books of pieces and tests for each grade.
Exam Options:
- Practical Grades (In-person): Similar to ABRSM/Trinity, with pieces, technical work, and musicianship tests. Nearest centres: Bristol, Taunton, Swindon.
- Performance Grades (In-person or Recorded): More recital-style, with focus on pieces.
Pros:
- Accessible, varied repertoire.
- Strong emphasis on performance and creativity.
- Flexible exam structures.
Considerations:
- Less widely known than ABRSM/Trinity outside the UK, though fully Ofqual-recognised.
- Exam centre availability is more limited than other boards for in-person exams.
4. MTB Exams (Music Teachers’ Board)
Overview:
A newer board that has grown quickly since the pandemic, MTB offers fully digital exams which can be taken at any suitable time and location.
Exam Options:
- Performance-focused (Recorded): Students record pieces, scales, and other tests in one sitting.
- Flexible structure: As with the other boards, practical and performance-only options are available.
Pros:
- Entirely online – I am a registered teacher for MTB and exams can even be taken during a lesson.
- A number of options for technical tests.
- More repertoire flexibility than other boards, with fewer restrictions.
- Less intimidating for younger students in familiar surroundings.
Considerations:
- Less traditional exam process
- Sight-reading is not tested in the practical grades.
- Still newer compared to the longer-established boards but fully established and recognised by Ofqual/RQF.
5. RSL Awards (Rockschool / RSL Classical)
Overview:
RSL is best known for its Rockschool exams in popular music, but in recent years it has expanded into RSL Classical.
Exam Options:
- Graded Exams (In-person or Recorded): Three performance pieces plus technical exercises and a musicianship test. Exam centres in Westbury and Bath
- Performance Certificates: Performance-only option with four pieces, similar to performance grades offered by other boards.
- Available in both classical and contemporary/pop pathways.
Pros:
- Strong in contemporary and crossover repertoire.
- Choice between traditional mixed-format exams or performance-only routes.
Considerations:
- Still less established in the classical exam world compared to ABRSM or Trinity.
- Repertoire lists are narrower than MTB’s open-choice approach.
Performance vs. Practical Grades
- Performance Grades (ABRSM, Trinity, LCM, MTB): Focus entirely on repertoire, usually four pieces, with no scales, aural or technical tests. Often recorded, making them flexible and accessible.
- Practical Grades (ABRSM, Trinity, LCM, MTB): A fuller assessment of musical skills including scales, sight-reading (except MTB), technical and aural. Usually in person, except MTB which are recorded and submitted for assessment.
In-person vs. Recorded
- In-person: Traditional setting at an exam centre, with the structure and experience of live performance.
- Recorded: Flexible and less pressured, though technical requirements (e.g., one-take recordings) can present challenges.
My own preferences
From my perspective as a teacher, I now find MTB a very useful option because of its flexibility—students can take the exam at a time that suits them, at home, and with a wide choice of repertoire. At the same time, I value ABRSM in-person exams for its local exam centres (convenient for those based in and around Frome) and for the way its practical grades test a broad range of musicianship skills beyond just performance. Ultimately, the best choice depends on each student’s goals and learning style, but these two boards are the ones I tend to recommend most often in practice.