Detailed assessment information can be found in each instrument's respective syllabus guide but explained below you will

find sections on:

Mode of study Unit Specification Grading Criteria Grading Formula Results and Certification

Mode of Study Rockschool expects the majority of candidates to take graded examinations after a period of study directed by a teacher. However, the syllabus is set up to allow candidates to undertake independent study should they so wish. Rockschool offers help and support in the form of guidance and audio visual test examples to those candidates who may not have access to a teacher or to supplement the work a teacher sets the candidate. All assessment of these qualifications is external and is undertaken by member(s) of the Rockschool examiners panel.

Back to top Unit Specification All accredited qualifications must outline what a candidate will learn (learning outcomes) and the standard they must achieve (assessment criteria) in a "Unit Specification". There is a unit specification for each grade from Entry Level to Grade 8. Follow this link to view the Rockschool unit specifications for Grade Exams.

Back to top Grading Criteria Grading Criteria are descriptors of the quality of the work expected for each band of attainment Pass, Merit, Distinction and Unclassified. These are outlined in each Rockschool Graded

Music Exam Syllabus Guide. The grade awarded to each candidate will depend in practice upon the extent to which the candidate has met the assessment criteria for each section within the qualification. It is possible for a candidate to achieve a pass grading even if one element within the exam remains unattempted. However, such instances will be relatively rare. The performance expected for each band of attainment can be broadly described as follows (Please note that Entry Level exams are graded as Pass or Unclassified only): Grade Pass Details A pass grade will be awarded where a candidate has produced work to the required standard overall within the examination. They will be a competent music performer within the parameters set and will display a grasp of the basic skills of musicianship expected in a learner of this standard. A merit grade will be awarded where a candidate has produced work to a good standard overall within the examination. They will be an assured music performer within the parameters set and will display a good grasp of the basic skills of musicianship expected in a learner of this standard. A distinction grade will be awarded where a candidate has produced work to an excellent standard overall within the examination. They will be an assured and confident music performer within the parameters set and will display an excellent grasp of the basic skills of musicianship expected in a learner of this standard. An unclassified grade will be awarded where the candidate has produced work which does not meet the tasks contained within the qualification. They will usually be a music performer who needs to develop their skills base at the set level. They may not be able to display a grasp the basic musicianship skills needed at this level.

Merit

Distinction

Unclassified

Back to top Grading Formula The grading formula describes how marks are converted into exam results. Not all of the tasks will have to be completed to an equal standard in order to qualify for a pass. The examiners will weigh the balance of achievement produced by each candidate taking into account the number of tasks and the balance of significance of the tasks within each unit. For Grade Exams, the formula can be summarised as follows: Section Performance Pieces Details Each piece is marked out of 20. The pass mark for any one piece is 13 out of 20.

Technical Work Sight Reading Ear Tests General Musicianship Questions

The technical work is marked as a whole out of 15. The pass mark is 11 out of 15. The sight reading is marked out of 10. The pass mark is 6 out of 10. The ear tests are marked out of 10. The pass mark is 6 out of 10. These are marked out of 5. The pass mark is 3 out of five.

Candidates need to achieve a score of 65% in order to pass a Grade Exam. Candidates only need to pass the exam overall; there is no obligation to pass every element of the exam. For Performance Certificates, the formula can be summarised as follows: Section Performance Pieces Details Each piece is marked out of 20. The pass mark for any one piece is 14 out of 20.

Candidates need to achieve a score of 70% in order to pass the Entry Level (Debut) Performance Certificate. There is a premium mark required for a pass in the Performance Certificate over the Grade Exam. This recognises that in the Grade Exam candidates have to attempt elements which are not pre-prepared. In the Performance Certificate, all the elements (in this case, five performance pieces) are all pre-prepared by the candidate.

Back to top Results and Certification Candidates will be informed of their provisional results no later than four weeks after their examination. All certificates will be issued after the formal completion of all quality assurance processes.

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Song list for grade 5:

Alka Setzer [Troup, Simon] All Funked Up [Woolley, Jason] Bust Up [Bennett, Joe] [Troup, Simon] D & A [Lederman, Noam] Sidewinder [Boon, Hussein] X-Blues III [Cartwright, Deirdre]