No. In the UK and Ireland, these arrangements ended on 31 July 2022. All candidates taking Practical Grades, Performance Grades or ARSM diplomas must have accompaniment when performing set pieces published with an accompaniment or duet part. For digital Performance Grades, recorded accompaniment is now a permanent option alongside live accompaniment. Find out more about accompaniment in Performance Grades.

In the first year of a new Practical exam syllabus, we offer an overlap period in which candidates may follow specific requirements from the preceding syllabus. Information on the length of the overlap period and the requirements that it applies to are given at abrsm.org/overlap.

Candidates at Grades 6–8 can bring a page-turner to assist with any awkward page-turns in their music. Prior permission from ABRSM isn't required. Accompanists for Grade 6–8 exams are also welcome to bring a page-turner.

Da capo (DC) and dal segno (DS) indications should be followed but other repeats (including first-time bars) shouldn't be played unless stipulated in the syllabus. However, very short repeats can be played at the discretion of the teacher or candidate.

Your student could either hum or whistle – the examiner won't be assessing vocal quality. Candidates with a limited vocal range should feel free to tell the examiner, who'll endeavour (but not guarantee) to find tests within the range specified.

Cadenzas shouldn't be played unless specified in the syllabus. Tuttis aren't usually required, other than those specifically stated in the syllabus. Candidates should arrange in advance with their accompanists which tuttis might be omitted.

You can use any edition of the music unless the syllabus specifies a particular arrangement or transcription. Always check the syllabus.

No, all Jazz syllabuses remain in force until further notice. We currently offer Jazz exams at Grades 1–5 for Piano, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet and Trombone. Also available are Jazz Ensemble exams and Performance Assessment in Jazz.

There's no single correct way to play ornaments and you should use your musical discretion. If you need to, it's better to simplify the ornaments. Examiners would rather hear a confident simplified version of an ornament than a performance that suffers because you're struggling to perform the suggested interpretation.

You shouldn't make or use photocopies unless you have written permission from the publisher. You're allowed to photocopy individual pages to avoid a tricky page turn, but only if the publisher of the piece is signed up to the Music Publishers’ Association (MPA) Code of Fair Practice. The Code of Fair Practice is available at mpaonline.org.uk and participating publishers are listed in Appendix B.

For enquiries like this, please contact our Learning & Qualifications team.

No. Recorded accompaniment is only an option for Performance Grades. There are many practical reasons that make using recorded accompaniments in face-to-face exams more complex than using them in digital exams, which are recorded by candidates in a location of their choice. However, we are looking into the possibility of allowing recorded accompaniment in face-to-face exams in the future.