Exam Information

Here is some basic information about the three main music exam boards in the UK.

The London College of Music Examinations (LCME) is the main exam board that I use for my own students. They were established in 1887. As a general rule, LCME hold practical exams at exam centres in March, June and November each year. However, I now submit my students for exams by video assessment, which can be recorded at any time of the year, using the piano with which the student is most familiar. This is a huge advantage to the student, as it saves time and avoids using the often poor quality pianos that are provided by every exam board centre. Information on LCME Piano Syllabus: https://lcme.uwl.ac.uk/our-exams/piano/piano  

LCME music theory exams are held online or at the exam centre in West London twice a year. They are held on Saturday mornings in May and November. Of the three UK music exam boards, the LCME theory exams are the most difficult. Information on LCME music theory exams:  https://lcme.uwl.ac.uk/our-exams/theory-exams

Information on LCME exam fees: https://lcme.uwl.ac.uk/information/entry-fees. 

If a student wishes, they can take exams with Trinity College instead of LCME. Trinity College was established in 1872. For higher music theory grades, I often use Trinity College workbooks for exam preparation, regardless of which exam board is actually used, because they describe advance topics in a very user friendly manor. Like LCME, Trinity College also offer practical and theory exams at exam centres or online in February, May and November each year. They also offer practical exams via video assessment all-year round. See their website for more details: https://www.trinitycollege.com/qualifications/music

Information on Trinity College exam fees: https://www.trinitycollege.com/local-trinity/UK/music/book-exam/exam-fees

ABRSM is the biggest music exam board in the UK. They were established in 1889. I tutored students for ABRSM exams for 20 years but rarely do so now, as I no longer have faith in the standard or format of exams that ABRSM offer. I only teach ABRSM exams for students who already have a grade 5 in music theory, which is a prerequisite for practical grades 6 and above. ABRSM offer practical and theory exams at exam centres, via video assessment and on-demand online. However, music theory for grades 1-5 is only offered online. See their website for more details: https://gb.abrsm.org/en/