Typically, the teacher will make the suggestion to sit at an exam. However, there have been cases that have been otherwise. Once this first step is taken, the student is encouraged to practice hard to prepare for the examinations. The entry is made and from that day forth, preparation will be key. For the candidates, we?d like to add a few tips and pointers as to how to prepare.

The Pieces

1. Choose pieces that you really like. ABRSM provides for a wide selection of pieces and be sure to find the few that you’d love to play. During the initial stages of practice, go slow. Careful and deliberate preparation will payoff at your final performance.
2. Once you begin to grasp the piece as a whole, practice your pieces without stopping. Be sure to build the confidence and habit of moving on and not stopping when you make a mistake.
3. Practice your page turns. Memorize the few bars before and after the page turns to create a smoother transition. ( Note: page-turning mistakes will not affect your mark)

Scales & Arpeggios

1. Practice your scales and arpeggios everyday. It is necessary to lay the foundation for great technique. They also assist in developing hand coordination as well as instrument-specific techniques such as breath-control and bow-control.

Sight-Reading

1. Keep a basic pulse.
2. If you make a mistake, keep going.

Aural Tests

1. Listen to as much music as possible
2. Attempt to feel the rhythm of music that you are not familiar with before you learn them.
3. Practicing singing tunes that you are both familiar and unfamiliar with.

General

1. Don’t Procrastinate! Begin practicing early!
2. Learn and practice how to perform with an accompanist (if necessary)