Rockschool music qualifications are tailor-made for the contemporary musician.
Graded Music Exams
Face-to-face Exams
The RSL Awards face-to-face exam is the original exam experience. Take your exam whilst being observed in person by a member of our expertly trained examiner panel.
About the Face-to-face exam
Develop a level of musicianship which will support you in almost any musical environment. As you work through each syllabus, both you and your teacher can choose your areas of specialism.
Get rewarded for the months and years of hard work you’ve committed to mastering your art.
Feel Rewarded
Ranging from beginner to advanced levels of study, RSL Awards’ graded music exams ensure hard work is rewarded regardless of age or previous musical experience. Gain a benchmarked record of your musical progress on your instrument as you work through the grades.
Expand Your Knowledge
An RSL Awards graded music exam will improve your technical proficiency, performance skills and theoretical understanding which can be applied to other areas of your musical learning – all whilst getting to know some of the most iconic tracks and genres from the world of music.
UCAS Points
RSL Awards’ graded music exams carry huge recognition. As well as acquiring the skills and knowledge needed in preparation for real life musical situations, at Grades 6, 7 and 8, you can bolster your university application, with up to 30 UCAS Points awarded at Grade 8.
Types of Face-to-face Exams Available
At each grade, candidates will have the option of taking one of two different types of examination…
Graded Exam
A Grade Exam is a mixture of music performances, technical assessment and a range of supporting tests (dependant on grade and instrument). As part of the performance section of the exam (worth 60% of the overall exam marks), the candidate must prepare to perform three pieces from their Rockschool or RSL Classical Grade book (two of which may be Free Choice Pieces). Each performed piece is marked out of 20.
The other 40% consists of Technical Exercises and supporting tests, which include: Sight Reading, Improvisation & Interpretation, Ear Tests, and five General Musicianship Questions. The pass mark for this style of exam is set at 60%.
Number of Pieces
3
Technical Exercises
Examiner Selection of Scales, Arpeggios/Broken Chords, and Technical Studies
Unseen Tests
Sight Reading OR Improvisation, Ear Test, and General Musicianship Questions
Performance Certificate
During the Performance Certificate a candidate must play five pieces with each song marked out of 20 (up to three of these can be Free Choice Pieces). The pass mark for this exam is also set at 60%.
Number of Pieces
5
Technical Exercises
None
Unseen Tests
None
Host a Private Exam Session!
RSL Private Exam Days are hosted at a venue of your choice, enabling your students to sit their Graded Exam in the comfort of a familiar setting, using equipment they are accustomed to. Students often prefer this format due to this familiarity, whilst it also reduces the amount of time spent outside of school. These exams can be done through an examiner visit or alternatively via a live-stream at the venue or direct from the student’s home.
For teachers, this introduces a higher degree of flexibility as the exam date itself is not limited to specific Exam Periods, like our public examinations. All private centres are given access to discounts on official RSL Awards publications, as well as additional resources and support to help make each learners experience as enjoyable as possible.
Please click here for more information or get in touch via the button below for more information…
Purchase your graded music exam entry
Booking your graded music exam is an extremely simple process. Simply purchase your exam entry from our online shop before completing your exam details via your RSL Awards secure account.
General Information
For operational, general information and FAQs, please head to our help centre.
Photographic ID
All candidates at Grades 6 to 8 are required to show valid photographic identification when attending or recording their examination.
Downloads
Download the grading descriptors and mark schemes for all Graded Music Exams
Face-to-face Exam Fees
Please see the information below for all face-to-face graded music exam 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 |
Please Note: Fees are for exams taking place in 2023. Fees are subject to change. E-Certificate is included. Printed certificate available for an additional fee
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…
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.
