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Latest exam updates

Exam refunds

To support customers affected by ongoing COVID restrictions, for Practical and Performance Grade exams from 1 January to 31 May 2021 any absent candidate will automatically receive a refund. This includes Performance Grades where the candidate has been unable to record and upload their video. You do not need to contact us to request a refund. However, it will help us if you can log in to your account and cancel the exam.

For Online Music Theory exams and any paper based exams taking place outside of the UK/Ireland we anticipate COVID restrictions will not prevent candidates from sitting their exam so absentee candidates will not automatically receive a refund and our normal Withdrawal, Non-attendance and Fee Refunds Policy still applies.

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 exams

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. We are extending the introductory 15% discount for these exams so that it applies to all remotely-assessed Performance Grade and ARSM exams in 2021. Just enter code ABPG15MO when you book using our online service. Please also read our discount information and terms and conditions here.

New books and resources

Discovering Music Theory

A new series of graded workbooks and corresponding answer books that offer all-round preparation for our new online Music Theory exams at Grades 1 to 5.

These full-colour workbooks contain progressive exercises interspersed with timely explanations, tips and reminders, enabling learners to build up knowledge and understanding of music theory step by step. 

Take a look inside these new books:

Sample Papers

Music Theory Sample Papers and Music Theory Sample Model Answers are also available for the new style of exams at Grades 1 to 5.

Available from 8 October 2020. Pre-order your copies from ABRSM’s shop now.

Visit the ABRSM shop

Free Sample Papers and Model Answers

To help candidates become familiar with the new question styles, free Sample Papers and Model Answers for Grades 1 to 5 are available.

More free resources

Here are some additional resources and reference guides to help you get familiar with the new question formats.

Take the Terms and Signs quiz

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