Music Exams FAQs — Questions Answered
Answers to the questions we hear most about International Music Exams — enrolment, recording, repertoire, results and more. Can’t find yours? Head to our support page.
What is International Music Exams?
These Music Exams faqs will help answers the questions regarding music examinations boards, and online examinations. Please visit our support page for more detailed assistance.
How do I enrol in an International Music Exam?
Please visit our step-by-step getting started page.
https://www.musicexams.com/start
What Instruments can take a Music Exam?
Exams can be taken in the following instruments:
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Can’t see your instrument? Please contact us.
How much are Music Exams?
Our Exams are competitively priced at around 50% less than other examination bodies. Please visit our pricing page for further information.
What are Music Exam prerequisites?
International Music Exams have no prerequisites. No theory exams are required in order to enrol in a practical exam. There are no age limits for any grade. A comparable level of theoretical knowledge and understanding will be of great benefit when it comes to interpreting your chosen pieces.
Who is eligible to enrol in a music exam?
Anyone can enrol in an exam, from anywhere in the world. There are no accounts — if you are under 18, a parent or guardian should make the purchase and can complete the exam entry with you. The name you enter on your exam entry is the name that appears on certificates, reports and assessments.
Do I need to do music theory exams?
Our exams have no prerequisites. No theory exams are required in order to enrol in a practical exam. Of course, a comparable level of theoretical knowledge and understanding will be of great benefit when it comes to interpreting your chosen pieces.
What technical work do I play in a Music Exam?
For our exams, technical work is optional. You may present a selection of technical work from the grade and syllabus that you are working from. The choice is yours and gives you the opportunity to be assessed on the musical items that you would like feedback on. In terms of assessment, you are graded on whatever you present. Please keep in mind that technical work should support and be relevant to the works that are presented. The overall tempo should be relevant to the technical level required to play the pieces. There is a strict time limit for each exam, so ensure that all pieces and technical work fit inside the allotted time. Assessments are based on maximum allotted time for each exam and further material submitted will not be examined.
Do I have to play my Music Exam pieces without stopping?
All entries are submitted by video. All pieces must be performed in one continuous take with a short break between pieces. You may not record your pieces separately and then edit them together. No edits are allowed in the recording and it is important the that total duration of the video does not surpass the maximum number of minutes allowed for each exam grade. Only the maximum allotted time will be assessed for any submitted exam.
Do you offer a 100% money-back guarantee on Music Exams?
Yes we do! We offer a 100% money-back guarantee on everyone’s first exam. We are confident that you will enjoy the convenience of our online music exams. In the event that you would like your money back, please contact us to discuss your feedback. All claims must be submitted within 7 days of enrolling in your exam.
How do I submit my Music Exam video?
To upload a video to Youtube, visit the instructions here:
https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/57407?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en#
How do I create a Google account for my Music Exam?
https://accounts.google.com/signup/v2/webcreateaccount?flowName=GlifWebSignIn&flowEntry=SignUp
How Do I Create a YouTube account for my Music Exam?
https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/161805?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en
https://youtu.be/l0eM1_JVqHE
How Do I Create a Vimeo account for my Music Exam?
How do I upload a video to Vimeo for my Music Exam?
https://vimeo.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/categories/201496018-Uploading-to-Vimeo
How will I find out my Music Exam result?
As soon as the examiner has completed their report and submitted their marks, it is checked by our team and then released. You will receive an email with your results, report and certificate. Your personal results link keeps them available any time — no login or password needed. Lost the email? Recover your link at musicexams.com/results/lookup.
What can I do if I am not happy with my Music Exam result?
All decisions by the examiner are final. If the mark that you receive is different from what you expected, please keep in mind our examiners are specialists in their instrument and may have a different way of looking at things to yourself. For your peace of mind, International Music Exams offers a 100% money-back guarantee on members first exam.
What clothes should I wear for my Music Exam?
Primarily you should wear whatever helps you to play your best. If you would like to follow certain conventions for public performance, please do so, but it is not a prerequisite for submitting an International Music Exam.
Where is the best place to do a Music Exam?
Your performances can be recorded in your own space. Part of enrolling in an exam is choosing the location that is best for you. Considerations may include lighting, room ambience and acoustics. Rooms that are too reverberant (ie a cathedral) may not be suitable for the kind of music that you are presenting. Small rooms may not help you bring out your best sound. The room should provide you with a comfortable playing environment that will allow you to play at your best. In order for our examiners to hear and see you play, careful thought needs to be put into the choice of venue, lighting and recording position.
Can I get a refund on my Music Exam?
We offer a 100% money-back guarantee on each entrant’s first exam if you are not satisfied. Please visit our contact page to get in touch with us to discuss feedback.
How do I pay for a Music Exam?
Payment is made when you enrol, and there are two ways to do it. By card — Visa, Mastercard and American Express, handled securely by Stripe; your exam codes arrive by email within seconds. By invoice and bank transfer — choose Invoice / bank transfer at checkout and we email you a tax invoice with our bank details, together with your exam codes. This is the usual choice for schools and studios, and for anyone whose card is not accepted internationally. No account is needed either way.
Can I pay for my Music Exam in my local currency?
Card payments are charged in Australian dollars, so your bank converts at its own rate on the day. If you would rather pay in your own currency, choose Invoice / bank transfer at checkout: we can invoice you in Australian dollars, US dollars, pounds or euros, and you pay into a local account in that currency — no international card required. Australian invoices are tax invoices including GST; invoices to other countries are GST-free exports.
How much are Music Exams?
Save around 50% on International Music Exams compared to other traditional examination bodies. Please view our multi-currency pricing table for our exam fees. You can use a number of different currencies to pay for a music exam. International Music Exams has one worldwide rate for each grade and there no surcharges for different payment methods.
Can I record my Music Exam on my phone?
You can use any device to record your International Music Exam video. Any recent phone can record high-quality video. Be sure that there is adequate lighting to show you at your best!
Can I use pre-recorded accompaniments in my Music Exam?
Pre-recorded accompaniments are allowed, whether they be piano or other play-along. Please keep in mind, however, that the interaction between soloist and accompanist is vitally important in performance. A mechanical or otherwise substandard recording may impact your ability to perform at your best, therefore decreasing the likelihood of presenting your best work. There is also a growing repertoire of pieces with play-along tracks. If the selected repertoire uses such a play-along, it is required to be presented in the exam recording. If you are using recorded accompaniments, care must be taken to ensure that the mix of soloist and backing is properly balanced for the final recording.
How do I record my Music Exam?
Submissions may be filmed on your phone, a camera, a DSLR etc. Use whatever device you have that will enable the best quality video and sound to showcase your playing.
How do I choose my repertoire for my Music Exam?
You should choose a balanced program from a current graded syllabus. For all grades, you are required to perform 3 pieces. You may also choose to present appropriate technical work at the same grade level. Technical work is optional and you will be assessed on all that you present. Please keep in mind that technical work should support, and be relevant to the works that are presented. The overall tempo should be relevant to the technical level required to play the pieces. There is a time limit for each exam, so ensure that all pieces and technical work fit inside of the allotted time. Assessments are based on maximum allotted time for each exam and further material submitted above this time will not be examined.
Do I have to use piano accompaniment in my Music Exam?
Depending on the instrument you play, piano accompaniment is normally required for an exam. If you are presenting pieces that have piano accompaniment, you need to use the accompaniment. Pre-recorded piano accompaniments are allowed. Please keep in mind, however, that the interaction between soloist and accompanist is vitally important in performance. A mechanical or otherwise substandard recording may impact your ability to perform at your best, therefore decreasing the likelihood of performing at your best. If you are using recorded accompaniments, care must be taken to ensure that the mix of soloist and backing is properly balanced for the final recording submission.
What syllabus do I use for my Music Exam?
You may use any current graded syllabus. For consistency, you must present music from just one syllabus.
What technical work do I play for my Music Exam?
For our exams, technical work is optional. You may present a selection of technical work from the grade and syllabus that you are working from. The choice is yours and gives you the opportunity to be assessed on the musical items that you would like feedback on. In terms of assessment, you are graded on whatever you present. Please keep in mind that technical work should support and be relevant to the works that are presented. The overall tempo should be relevant to the technical level required to play the pieces. There is a strict time limit for each exam, so ensure that all pieces and technical work fit inside the allotted time. Assessments are based on maximum allotted time for each exam and further material submitted will not be examined.
Can my teacher be present in my Music Exam?
Your teacher may be present at your music exam if you wish. You can also perform in front of an audience.
Do I have to play from memory in my Music Exam?
Memorised music is not required. You may perform without music if you wish.
When is my Music Exam?
You choose when you record and submit your exam. There are no set times, dates or venues.
Can I use photocopies in my Music Exam?
Please consult the copyright law in your country. Generally, original music is always required with the exception of copied pages that facilitate page turns. Authorised digital copies are acceptable.