How we mark exams
Assessment in our graded exams for instruments and singing is based on our marking criteria. You can also find these in our printed syllabus booklets.
The marking criteria show what we expect for the three levels of pass – Pass, Merit and Distinction – in each element of the exam. They are designed to maximise consistency in our marking and to make our approach to assessment clear for everyone.
Understanding how our examiners award marks is not only helpful for exam preparation but also for learning and progression generally.
If you know what the ingredients of a good performance are then you also know what to work on to reach this goal.
Pieces and songs
The marking criteria cover the different aspects of playing or singing under five areas: pitch; time; tone; shape and performance. These can be applied to all instruments, including voice, and all types of piece or song. The marking criteria show what our examiners listen for under each of these headings.
- Pitch – accuracy, clarity, reliability of notes and/or intonation.
- Time – suitability of tempo, stability of pulse, sense of rhythm.
- Tone – control and projection of sound, sensitivity and awareness in use of tonal qualities.
- Shape – effectiveness and clarity of musical shaping and detailing.
- Performance – overall command of the instrument or voice, involvement with the music, musical communication.
Marking criteria for pieces
Grades 1-8
Mark |
Pitch |
Time |
Tone |
Shape |
Performance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Distinction |
|
|
|
|
|
Merit |
|
|
|
|
|
Pass |
|
|
|
|
|
Below Pass |
|
|
|
|
|
13-16 |
|
|
|
|
|
10-12 |
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other exam elements
The marking criteria also show what examiners listen for in the other elements of our exams:
Scales & arpeggios (instrumentalists)
Grades 1-8
Accuracy of notes/pitch, rhythmic continuity and fluency, tone and shaping, security and confidence of the response.
Mark |
Scales and arpeggios |
---|---|
Distinction |
|
Merit |
|
Pass |
|
Below Pass |
|
7-10 |
|
0 |
|
* Includes Transposition for Horn, Trumpet and Organ (Grades 6–8) and Figured bass realization for Harpsichord (Grades 4–8).
In these cases, of the total 21 marks, 12 are allocated to Sight-reading and 9 to Transposition (or Figured bass realization), and one combined mark is recorded.
Unaccompanied traditional song (singers)
Grades 1-8
Control of pitch and intonation, sense of rhythmic character, use of vocal qualities, effectiveness of musical shaping, quality of musical involvement, communication and storytelling.
Mark |
Unaccompanied traditional song |
---|---|
Distinction |
|
Merit |
|
Pass |
|
Below Pass |
|
7-10 |
|
0 |
|
Sight-reading/sight-singing
Grades 1-8
Rhythmic accuracy, continuity, accuracy of notes, pitch and key, realisation of musical detail, level of confidence in presentation.
Mark |
Sight-reading* |
---|---|
Distinction |
|
Merit |
|
Pass |
|
Below Pass |
|
7-10 |
|
0 |
|
* Includes Transposition for Horn, Trumpet and Organ (Grades 6–8) and Figured bass realization for Harpsichord (Grades 4–8).
In these cases, of the total 21 marks, 12 are allocated to Sight-reading and 9 to Transposition (or Figured bass realization), and one combined mark is recorded.
Aural tests
Grades 1-8
Accuracy, musical perception and awareness, security of responses.
Mark |
Aural tests |
---|---|
Distinction |
|
Merit |
|
Pass |
|
Below Pass |
|
6-8 |
|
0 |
|
Awarding marks
Examiners mark each candidate based on what they hear in the exam room. We do not have quotas, so our examiners do not pass or fail a certain percentage of candidates.
When awarding marks examiners assess the candidate’s control of the qualities and skills listed in the marking criteria. Candidates do not need to meet all the criteria to pass their exam as weakness in some areas is often balanced by stronger achievement in others.
The total number of marks available in an exam is 150. Candidates need:
- 100 marks to Pass;
- 120 marks to pass with Merit;
- 130 marks to pass with Distinction.
The total number of marks available for each exam element are listed here:
| Grades 1 to 8 |
---|---|
Piece / Song 1 | 30 |
Piece / Song 2 | 30 |
Piece / Song 3 | 30 |
Song 4 | -- |
Scales and arpeggios | 21 |
Sight-reading* / sight-singing | 21 |
Aural tests | 18 |
*Includes a transposition test for Horn, Trumpet and Organ at Grades 6 to 8 and a figured-bass realisation test for Harpsichord
Examiners mark up or down from the pass mark in every section, rather than taking marks away from the maximum or adding them from zero.
For each element of the exam, candidates need to achieve two-thirds of the total possible marks to pass, but they don’t need to pass all elements to achieve an overall pass in the exam.