ABRSM piano qualification

ABRSM Exams for Classical Pianists
The ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) is one of the most respected music exam boards for classical pianists. Their structured grading system helps develop well-rounded musicianship through performance, technique, sight-reading, and aural skills.

ABRSM Piano Exam Structure
Each exam consists of four sections:
Pieces (Performance) – Play three pieces from the syllabus (one from each list: A, B, and C)
Scales & Arpeggios – Demonstrate technical skills
Sight-Reading – Play a short unseen piece
Aural Tests – Ear training exercises

ABRSM Piano Grades (1-8)
ABRSM offers 8 graded exams and diploma levels beyond Grade 8.

Grades 1-5 (Beginner to Early Intermediate)
Basic technical control and musicianship
Simple scales (major & minor) and arpeggios
Sight-reading of easy pieces
Aural tests focus on rhythm, melody, and listening
Example pieces (Grade 5):

Bach: Minuet in G
Beethoven: Sonatina in G
Debussy: The Little Shepherd

Grades 6-8 (Advanced & Pre-Professional)
More complex pieces requiring deeper interpretation
Advanced technical exercises (chromatic scales, contrary motion, etc.)
Challenging sight-reading and aural tests
Example pieces (Grade 8):

J.S. Bach: Prelude & Fugue in C Minor
Chopin: Nocturne in E-flat Major
Beethoven: Sonata Op. 10 No. 1

Diplomas (Post-Grade 8)
For serious pianists aiming for teaching, performing, or professional careers, ABRSM offers four diploma levels:

1. ARSM (Associate of the Royal Schools of Music) – A performance-only diploma (no sight-reading or aural tests)
2. DipABRSM (Diploma ABRSM) – Requires recital performance, written work, and viva voce (interview)
3. LRSM (Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music) – Equivalent to an undergraduate-level qualification
4. FRSM (Fellowship of the Royal Schools of Music) – The highest level, for professionals

Globally Recognized – Valued by music schools and universities (read my story)
Comprehensive Training – Covers technique, performance, and musicianship
Clear Progression – Structured grading system for gradual improvement
Ideal for Classical Pianists – Strong emphasis on traditional repertoire

Would you like advice on preparing for an ABRSM exam? email me on: info@pianowithludmila.com

The ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) is an examination board and registered charity[2] based in the United Kingdom. ABRSM is one of five examination boards accredited by Ofqual to award graded exams and diploma qualifications in music within the UK's National Qualifications Framework (along with the London College of Music, RSL Awards (Rockschool Ltd), Trinity College London, and the Music Teachers' Board). 'The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music' was established in 1889[3] and rebranded as ABRSM in 2009.[4] The clarifying strapline "the exam board of the Royal Schools of Music" was introduced in 2012.

More than 600,000 candidates take ABRSM exams each year in over 93 countries. ABRSM also provides a publishing house for music which produces syllabus booklets, sheet music and exam papers and runs professional development courses and seminars for teachers.

The ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) piano examination is a widely recognized music exam for piano students, assessing their technical and musical skills. The exams are structured into eight levels, from Grade 1 (beginner) to Grade 8 (advanced). The exams are designed to evaluate a student’s proficiency in various areas of piano performance, including:

Pieces: Students must perform a selection of pieces from a prescribed list, typically three pieces from different musical styles or periods.
Scales and Arpeggios: Students are tested on their ability to play a variety of scales and arpeggios, often at increasing levels of difficulty.
Sight-reading: This tests a student’s ability to play a piece of music they have not seen before, demonstrating their sight-reading skills.
Aural Skills: This involves listening to and identifying elements of music, such as intervals, rhythms, and chord progressions. It helps assess a student’s musical ear.

The exams are graded on a scale from 1 to 100, with different performance levels required at each grade. After completing Grade 8, students can pursue further qualifications, such as diplomas in music performance or teaching.

ABRSM exams traditionally have been in-person, but recently, they’ve introduced digital options as well.

In-Person Exam: This is the traditional format, where you attend an exam center and perform in front of an examiner. The exam typically includes playing your pieces, scales, sight-reading, and aural tests.

Digital Exams: ABRSM has also launched a Digital Piano Exam option (called the "Remote Piano Exam"), where you can record your performance at home and submit it online. For this option, you would record your pieces, scales, and other components of the exam and send them to the ABRSM examiners to assess remotely. This option offers more flexibility since you can choose the time and place, but it also requires careful attention to recording guidelines and technology setup.

Do you have more questions? Ask: info@pianowithludmila.com

The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music was founded in 1889 when Alexander Mackenzie, then the Principal of the Royal Academy of Music, and George Grove, founding Director of the Royal College of Music, decided that the two institutions should combine to form an associated examining board to run joint local exams.[6] The first syllabi were published in 1890 for Piano, Organ, Violin, Cello and Harp, with Viola, Double Bass and woodwind instruments added the following year. Originally, the ABRSM had only two grades and were the equivalent of the current grades 6 and 7. Due to the demand for beginner grades, the present structure (grades 1–8) was introduced in 1933.[citation needed] In 1947, the Royal Manchester College of Music (merged to form the present Royal Northern College of Music) and Royal Scottish Academy of Music (now the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) joined ABRSM. Specifically, the Royal Schools referred to in ABRSM's title are the Royal Academy of Music, the Royal College of Music, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the Royal Northern College of Music.

Since the post-World War II years, the ABRSM saw an increase in overseas exam applications. The curriculum also expanded, with the addition of Guitar, Harpsichord, Voice, (with the option of both classical singing and singing for musical theatre), percussion, Recorder and all brass instruments.

The 1990s saw percussion and jazz added to the syllabus. For Diplomas, LRSM was the one that was always available. The DipABRSM and FRSM were introduced much later in the year 2000 as well as similar exams for instructors and teachers.[8] The ARSM was introduced in the year 2016-2017 to serve as a bridge between the Grade 8 and DipABRSM exams.

In 2023 ABRSM announced major revisions to their diploma syllabuses. The DipABRSM diplomas will be withdrawn and replaced by new ARSM Diplomas in teaching and directing, alongside the ARSM performance option currently offered. Additionally, the ARSM, LRSM, and FRSM syllabuses will be revised.