How do we mark exams?
ABRSM exams avoid the potential bias of instrument specialism by:
- applying universal, non-instrument-specific criteria
- focusing on the musical outcome, not the technical means behind it!
The marking criteria
The tables below show the marking criteria used by examiners (in all exams except Singing).
Marking principles
In each element of the exam, ABRSM operates the principle of marking from the required pass mark positively or negatively, rather than awarding marks by deduction from the maximum or addition from zero.
In awarding marks, examiners balance the extent to which the qualities and skills listed below (broadly categorized by pitch, time, tone, shape and performance) are demonstrated and contribute towards the overall musical outcome.
Total marks
Practical graded music exams are marked out of a total of 150, with:
- 100 marks required for a Pass
- 120 marks required for a Merit
- 130 marks required for a Distinction
A Pass in each individual section of the exam is not required to pass overall.
Pieces
Grades Initial*-8
Mark | Pitch | Time | Tone | Shape | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Distinction |
|
|
|
|
|
Merit |
|
|
|
|
|
Pass |
|
|
|
|
|
Below Pass |
|
|
|
|
|
13-16 |
|
|
|
|
|
10-12 |
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other exam elements
-
Grades 1-8
Mark
Scales and arpeggios
Sight-reading*
Distinction
19–21- Highly accurate notes/pitch
- Fluent and rhythmic
- Musically shaped
- Confident response
- Fluent, rhythmically accurate
- Accurate notes/pitch/key
- Musical detail realised
- Confident presentation
Merit
17–18- Largely accurate notes/pitch
- Mostly regular flow
- Mainly even tone
- Secure response
- Adequate tempo, usually steady pulse
- Mainly correct rhythm
- Largely correct notes/pitch/key
- Largely secure presentation
Pass
14-16- Generally correct notes/pitch, despite errors
- Continuity generally maintained
- Generally reliable tone
- Cautious response
- Continuity generally maintained
- Note values mostly realised
- Pitch outlines in place, despite errors
- Cautious presentation
Below Pass
11-13- Frequent errors in notes and/or pitch
- Lacking continuity and/or some items incomplete
- Unreliable tone
- Uncertain response and/or some items not attempted
- Lacking overall continuity
- Incorrect note values
- Very approximate notes/pitch/key
- Insecure presentation
7-10
- Very approximate notes and/or pitch
- Sporadic and/or frequently incomplete
- Serious lack of tonal control
- Very uncertain response and/or several items not attempted
- No continuity or incomplete
- Note values unrealised
- Pitch outlines absent
- Very uncertain presentation
0
- No work offered
- No work offered
* 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.
-
Grades 1-8
Mark
Aural tests
Distinction
17–18- Accurate throughout
- Musically perceptive
- Confident response
Merit
15–16- Strengths significantly outweigh weaknesses
- Musically aware
- Secure response
Pass
12-14- Strengths just outweigh weaknesses
- Cautious response
Below Pass
9-11- Weaknesses outweigh strengths
- Uncertain response
6-8
- Inaccuracy throughout
- Vague response
0
- No work offered