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!

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”…

RSL Find A Public Exam Centre

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) £55.00
Grade 1 £61.00
Grade 2 £68.00
Grade 3 £79.00
Grade 4 £87.00
Grade 5 £95.00
Grade 6 £108.00
Grade 7 £117.00
Grade 8 £130.00

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
C 2024 28th October – 21st December 2024 21st October 2024
A 2025 17th February - 13th April 2025 10th February 2025
B 2025 12th May – 12th August 2025 6th May 2025
C 2025 27th October – 20th December 2025 20th October 2025

 

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.

Exam Sign Up

Digital Files

For the RSL shop we’ve chosen the most widely used media for ease of use and flexibility when transferring across different devices.

Every complete digital book (e.g. Electric Guitar Grade 1) includes:

  • PDF sheet music
  • MP3 audio
  • Supporting tests

Download Limits

We know downloading digital content can be frustrating at times which is why we’ve given you multiple chances to download your audio and sheet music.

Each complete digital book purchased includes:

  • 5 audio downloads
  • 3 sheet music downloadsThis means if you misplace your content, or if your download times-out, you’ll still have plenty of attempts to download your content.

Purchase Options

1. Hard Copy

The hard copy or paperback version can be purchased from our shop for shipping to the UK. Orders for shipping to other countries can be placed via www.musicroom.com. The paperback version includes everything you need for your exam in one essential book, including sheet music, a code for access to MP3 audio and complete supporting tests.

2. Digital Download (where applicable)

Digital downloads is the most popular way of purchasing and downloading a Rockschool book, track or supporting test. Rockschool digital book downloads come complete with PDF sheet music, MP3 audio and supporting tests for instant accessibility on all your favourite devices.

Note: Digital sheet music is stamped with your email address and order number.

3. Digital Download + E-Book Access

The RSL e-books, utilising Learning Platform technology powered by MatchMySound, are the ultimate practise tool, giving you the ability to master your instrument like never before.

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Our products are country specific, please select which country you would like to shop for.

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