Supporting information
- Read key information to help you in your preparation and on the exam day
- Find out how to enter the ARSM
Details of what is required for the ARSM exam are provided below.
Please ensure that you print out an ARSM programme form and fill it in before your exam.
An ARSM performance should last for 30 minutes, but it can be up to two minutes shorter or longer. The 30 minutes includes any breaks between items.
Woodwind, brass and singing candidates can take a longer break of up to three minutes during the exam. This will be counted as part of the 30 minutes’ performance time.
The examiner may stop the performance if a candidate goes over the time limit.
The following requirements apply to the 30-minute performance:
You need to make sure you have completed a programme form prior to the date of your exam. You should give this to the examiner at the start of the exam.
This form should contain the following information, presented in programme order:
In cases where there isn’t enough room on the form, the programme information can be continued on a second form.
For more information about putting your programme together, watch these videos.
Where the repertoire lists include an arrangement or transcription, you should use the edition listed; in all such cases the abbreviation ‘arr.’ or ‘trans.’ appears in the entry.
For all other pieces, the editions quoted in the repertoire lists are recommendations only and you can use any edition of their choice (in- or out-of-print or downloadable).
All own-choice repertoire should exist in a published edition (either in print or downloadable), which you should indicate on the programme form.
To be eligible for an ARSM exam, candidates need to have passed ABRSM Grade 8 in the instrument being presented. A number of alternative qualifications are also accepted in place of an ABRSM Grade 8. Similarly, a Grade 8 in a closely-related instrument is accepted. For more information about the prerequisite, please see the FAQ page.
For more information on how ARSM moves candidates on from Grade 8, here's an explanatory video.