Rockschool music qualifications are tailor-made for the contemporary musician.
Graded Music Exams
RSL Awards’ graded music exams motivate and encourage musicians of all ages and abilities through a system of progressive mastery. From our introductory grades all the way through to Grade 8, these graded qualifications enable candidates to develop and enhance their musical skills, knowledge and understanding in an exciting, engaging and consistent manner.
Tailor your perfect exam day
We want you to be as comfortable as possible however and wherever you take your graded music exam. Whether it’s in person or online, you are in complete control with RSL Awards allowing you to tailor your perfect exam day. Simply purchase your exam entry from our online shop before completing your exam details via your RSL Awards secure account.
A range of exam options to suit you
Across the Rockschool and RSL Classical suite, you can take a Graded Exam or Performance Certificate in the form of a face-to-face exam, live-stream or recorded digital exam. Music Production and Music Theory exams are taken online via remote-invigilation or through a privately-invigilated exam session.
Your exam, your way
In the UK and Republic of Ireland, face-to-face exams can take place at a Public Exam Centre or through a Private Exam Visit. Recorded and Live-streamed digital exams can take place at the student’s home or at a familiar private exam venue (teaching studio, school etc). For any information on exams taken outside the UK, please hit the button below.
Based outside the UK? Click here…
Find out more about the different exam options
Learn more about our accessible exam solutions and see which option suits you best!
| Graded Exam | Performance Certificate | Graded Certificate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face to Face | ✓ | ✓ | x |
| Live Streamed Exam | ✓ | ✓ | x |
| Recorded Digital Exam | x | ✓ | ✓ |
Face-to-face
Exams
The original exam experience. Take your exam whilst being observed in person by a member of our expertly trained examiner panel.
Live Stream Digital Exams
Bringing the full RSL Awards graded exam experience to your front room by beaming in an examiner, digitally, in real time.
Recorded Digital Exams
Pre-record your exam and upload it to our innovative submissions portal for it to be marked by our expert examining panel.
Find a Public Exam Centre
If you’re based in the UK or Ireland, you can find your local public exam centre. If you’re based outside of these regions, please click “Choose a Country”…
Graded Music Exam Fees
Please find all graded music exam fees below. Simply select your chosen exam format and your location to see the relevant fees.
| Exam grade | Price |
|---|---|
| Entry Level 3 (Debut) | £59.00 |
| Grade 1 | £65.00 |
| Grade 2 | £73.00 |
| Grade 3 | £85.00 |
| Grade 4 | £93.00 |
| Grade 5 | £102.00 |
| Grade 6 | £116.00 |
| Grade 7 | £125.00 |
| Grade 8 | £139.00 |
Graded Music Exam Dates
See the dates below for face-to-face Graded Music Exams for all Rockschool and RSL Classical disciplines in the UK and Ireland. Music Production and Theory exams are conducted online and are not bound by any set exam periods.
| Term | Exam Dates | Closing Date |
|---|---|---|
| A 2026 | 16th February – 12th April 2026 | 9th February 2026 |
| B 2026 | 11th May – 31st July 2026 | 5th May 2026 |
| Summer Sessions | 1st – 31st August 2026 | 22nd June |
| C 2026 | 26th October – 19th December 2026 | 19th October 2026 |
Please note: dates are subject to change. Ensure you check back prior to entry to avoid entering for the incorrect exam period.
If you would like to book a private exam day in the UK or Ireland, please email business@rslawards.com
If you are based outside the UK, please click “Choose a country” to learn more and get in touch with our international partners…
General Information
For operational, general information and FAQs, please head to our help centre.
Purchase Exams and Grade Books
Head over to our online shop to purchase your exam, or to buy your grade book.
Ready to take an exam?
Simply purchase your exam entry from our online shop before completing your exam details via your RSL Awards secure account.
