Exams and grades have become more commonplace in music education here in the UK. Some students expect to
take exams, others would rather avoid them and some aren't even aware there is such a thing. In this article, we will look at the general process of taking exams and discuss the benefits and drawbacks to exams in education.
The Process
Most music exams are based around specific exam content, most of which is prepared in advance and a specific exam date or period. Most exam boards offer both in person and online submission for exams too. This has made exams even more accessible to students.
A simple version of the process might look something like this;
A student expresses an interest in taking an exam and is advised as to which exam board and grade to take.
The student purchases the material (usually in the form of a book or digital download) and begins preparation.
When the student feels ready, or is advised so by their teacher, the exam can be booked online by either.
The student will be given an exam date by the board and the time and location of their exam.
The student sits the exam and is give
n feedback and results within a 2-4 week period.
Each exam board will have its only wording and variations for the exam process, so it is always worth checking which board students intend to take and the board's specific requirements. These are usually found on the exam boards website.
Why Exams?
Exams should not be viewed as an absolute in music education. Whilst they serve as excellent markers for progression and development, passing an exam does not necessarily mean that a student can play. To clarify, the exam boards do cover a broad spectrum of musical knowledge and skills, all of which are essential for playing a musical instrument. Passing an exam is a great achievement too and should not be looked down upon as a bad thing. The point above speaks to the fact that there are also many skills required for playing a musical instrument that are not possible to cover in an exam. An exam is not the “be all and end all” of playing an instrument.
Sitting an exam is not a requirement for lessons here at The Drum Hub. It is something we encourage and prepare our students to do, however, we are also aware that the exam environment may not be the most suitable method for assessing every student. Rather, we believe that exams should be viewed as tools to help a student grow and apply knowledge as part of a balanced and rounded educational experience.
The exam syllabus sets out an easy to follow, progressive pathway for students to follow in order to develop their musical skills. Each grade builds on knowledge established in previous exams and provides an excellent framework for musical growth. Additionally, sitting the exam and receiving honest, professional and non biased feedback, can help to highlight areas of growth and room for improvement in every student.
Whilst sitting an exam can be a little nerve racking for some, this feeling soon passes after the and the reward of receiving the desired grade is one most students remember for their lives. Exams help add a tangible sense of achievement to all the lessons and practice students do week in and week out. Performances can provide this feeling too, but the added reward of having a certificate after an exam helps the positive feeling to endure. It is also worth noting that some of the higher exam grades do also carry recognised and professional value for applications to colleges and universities and even into the workplace. This further adds value to the process of learning as passing an exam can be both a short and long term investment in a student's development.
Exams and grades are a great tool for learning a musical instrument and it is important that they are viewed as a tool at all times. In some areas of music education, students jump from grade to grade and the exams are used as the whole focus of the syllabus and lessons. We believe that grades and exams form 1 part of the overall picture and that offer a fantastic opportunity to learn and grow as a musician.
If you’re thinking of taking a grade, or maybe interested in learning to play the drums, why not book a trial with us today? If you have any further questions about music exams or music lessons in general, - let us know in the comments.
Comments