The following updates to our Graded Music Exam qualifications are designed to enhance clarity and ensure the highest standards of regulatory compliance, ultimately benefiting both educators and students.

Clarifying Our Qualification Structure: Three Distinct Pathways

For some time, we have offered a diverse range of exam formats: face-to-face, digital upload, and live stream; alongside different exam types within each format, such as Graded Exams and Performance Certificates. To better reflect the unique structure and assessment of each exam type, and to align with regulatory requirements set by OfQual, we are formally distinguishing these into three distinct qualifications:

• Graded Exams
• Graded Certificates
• Performance Certificates

Key Points to Understand:

• No New Exam Types, Just Clearer Qualifications: We want to emphasise that we are not introducing new exam types. These changes are about accurately categorising and naming our existing exam formats and structures as distinct qualifications to meet regulatory standards. The exams themselves, and the skills assessed, remain fundamentally the same.
• Value and Recognition Unchanged: The value and operation of our exams remain unchanged. The standard of assessment, the curriculum, and the skills required to succeed are consistent.
• Certificate Wording for Accuracy: he primary change students will notice is in the wording on their certificates. Certificates will now clearly state whether they have achieved a “Graded Exam”, “Graded Certificate” or “Performance Certificate”, reflecting the specific type of assessment they undertook.
• UCAS Points Unaffected: For Grades 6, 7, and 8 Graded Exams, UCAS points allocation remains exactly the same.

What This Means for You and Your Students:

• Clearer Communication: This change will allow for clearer communication about the different exam pathways available and help students choose the qualification that best suits their learning goals and performance focus.
• Consistent Assessment: The assessment criteria and standards for each qualification will be clearly defined, ensuring consistency and fairness for all candidates.
• Website Updates and Resources: We are updating our website, including instrument pages, exam structure sections, and assessment criteria tabs, to reflect these changes and provide comprehensive information about each qualification. Our Help Centre will also be updated to address any questions.