Exam Referrals

Trinity examiners are trained to assess every candidate fairly and consistently. However, in certain situations, an exam may be referred rather than released immediately. This means the result cannot be finalised until Trinity’s central team has reviewed the case, or, in some cases, until the candidate has updated their digital submission. 

Please be assured that exams are referred primarily to ensure every candidate is assessed fairly, consistently, and in line with our published criteria.

A referral does not necessarily mean a failed exam or a change to the result, but in some cases, it may lead to an adjustment. The referral process exists to ensure that any irregularities—technical, procedural, or academic—are reviewed carefully before a result is released.

What Is an Exam Referral?

An exam is referred when:

• There may be a procedural issue affecting the exam

• Required materials or approvals are missing or incomplete

• There is a potential syllabus or assessment criteria issue

• The examiner is unable to verify essential elements of the performance

Referred exams are reviewed by Trinity’s academic and operational teams, who determine whether the issue affects the outcome or can be resolved without impacting the assessment.

Digital Exams: Two Types of Referral

For digital music exams, there are two types of referral, each with different procedures and implications:

1. Operational Referral

• This type of referral relates to technical or administrative issues with the digital submission.
• Amendments are allowed — candidates or applicants may be asked to correct or clarify the submission.
  
• If resolved, the referral will not affect the final mark.

Common reasons for operational referral include:

• Playback issues with video and/or audio

• Missing copies of music for own-choice (non-Trinity) pieces

• Video content does not match the selection made in the drop-down menu

• Video content does not match the exam type booked (e.g. Classical Guitar submitted instead of Rock & Pop Guitar).

• No technical focus song was selected for Rock & Pop exams

Trinity allows as much time as possible for candidates to respond to an operational referral. However, if no response or amendment is received within three months, the submission will be closed.

2. Academic Referral

This type relates to the content of the exam itself and how it aligns with Trinity’s syllabus and assessment criteria.

• Amendments are not permitted.
  
• The issue may or may not affect the final result.

Examples of academic referral include:

• Content in the recording does not meet syllabus or assessment requirements

• Own-choice repertoire is not suitable for the level or has not been approved (for diplomas)

• The candidate’s face is not visible in the video, preventing the application of Trinity’s overall performance criteria

• In the case of an academic referral, the exam is marked in full without prejudice, and the examiner submits their report to Trinity’s head office for review before being released.
• Academic referrals are reviewed by a subject specialist panel. This process typically takes up to 30 working days from the date the referral is logged but may take longer depending on complexity.

Face-to-Face Referrals

For face-to-face exams, only academic referrals apply. This means the exam is marked in full, but the result is held for review if:

• The examiner cannot verify syllabus alignment on the day

• Required documentation (e.g. programme approval letter for diplomas) is missing

• The exam performance exceeds or falls short of required timings

• Unauthorised repertoire is presented without prior approval

• The candidate fails to provide a copy of the music for the examiner

As with digital academic referrals, the exam is marked without prejudice, and the outcome is passed to Trinity’s central office for review before a final result is confirmed. The process typically takes up to 30 working days from the date the referral is logged, but may longer depending on complexity.

What Happens Next?

• The examiner or marker submits a referral report for internal review
• Trinity will contact the applicant if further information is needed (digital exams only)
• Once resolved, the exam is either cleared for release, or a final decision is issued based on policy
• A referral letter is provided, detailing the reason(s) for review, to help avoid similar issues in future exams.
• You do not need to rebook your exam unless Trinity confirms that a retake is required.

Questions or Concerns?

Please note that, for Academic Referrals, Trinity is unable to provide the specific referral reasons until the review is completed and released.

Any other questions? Contact our team. 

See also:
Results, Scoring & Exam Feedback
Guidance on re-takes After a Failed Exam