Each Trinity music exam includes a specific set of requirements that vary by instrument and grade, covering performance pieces, technical work, and supporting tests. These requirements ensure a balanced assessment of musical skills, and candidates should prepare each section according to the details outlined in the relevant syllabus.
Choosing the right exam and grade
- Trinity offers graded and diploma exams across a broad range of instruments and voice types. To check the availability of your instrument or subject at a particular grade or level, please refer to the relevant syllabus.
- There are no formal entry requirements for Trinity’s graded exams. However, we recommend that candidates and teachers select an appropriate level based on the learner’s current standard. Each syllabus provides repertoire guidance, technical requirements, and assessment criteria to support this decision.
- Teachers may also wish to consult sample exam materials and the marking criteria for further insight into what is expected at each level.
- For learners at an earlier stage, Trinity offers an Initial Grade, which sits below Grade 1 and provides an accessible introduction to the graded exam framework.
Digital Performance Exams
- Digital Performance Grades (available for Initial–Grade 8) do not include supporting tests.
- The qualification and award are exactly the same as for the face-to-face exam.
- These exams are based solely on submitted video performances of the candidate’s chosen pieces.
- Supporting Tests for Classical and Jazz exams, and Session Skill Tests for Rock and Pop exams, are replaced by our Overall Performance Criteria, which awards additional marks for aspects of the performance.
Exam Pieces and Songs
- For Classical & Jazz face-to-face exams, and the Technical Pathway option for digital exams, candidates select three exam pieces or songs – four songs for Singing Grades 6–8.
- For the Classical and Jazz Repertoire Pathway option for Digital exams, candidates select four exam pieces or songs - this is five songs for Singing Grades 6-8.
- For Rock & Pop exams, all candidates must perform one of the Technical Focus Songs from the current syllabus.
Technical Work
- Included in all Face to Face and Digital Technical pathway performance grades (Grades 1–8) across instruments and voice.
- It is not used for the Digital Repertoire Pathway performance grade exam.
- Designed to assess a candidate’s technical control, fluency, and facility on their instrument or voice.
- Technical work is presented in the order of your choosing (as one full section), in face-to-face settings, or in the video submission (for digital exams).
Supporting Tests (Classical and Jazz Face-to-Face Exams Only)
Candidates taking face-to-face Classical and Jazz graded exams will also complete two supporting tests in addition to their performance and technical work. These are:
- Aural tests
- Sight reading
- Improvisation
- Musical knowledge (Grades Initial to 5 only)
Session Skills (Rock and Pop Face to Face exams Only)
Candidates taking face-to-face Rock & Pop graded exams will also complete one Session Skills test in addition to their performance. These are:
- Playback
- Improvisation
See also:
Syllabuses, Supporting Materials, Trinity Publications & Downloads
Exam Formats (Face-to-Face / Digital)
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