About ABRSM

The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) is an organization founded in 1889 by 4 music conservatories: The Royal Academy of Music, The Royal Conservatory of Music, The Royal Northern College of Music and the Royal School of Church Music. ABRSM system is considered as the leading educational music in the world, with more than 600,000 people in 90 countries take the exam each year.

ABRSM is an examinations board and registered charity based in London, UK, which provides examinations in music at centres around the world. ABRSM is one of four examination boards accredited by Ofqual to award graded exams and diploma qualifications in music within the UK's National Qualifications Framework (along with the London College Music, Rockschool Ltd and Trinity College London).

ABRSM offers teaching resources, with CD and curriculum from basic to advanced. In addition, ABRSM syllabus also provides guidance to help teachers improve their teaching.

In Vietnam, the ABRSM exam for practical is held once a year in June, with 3 other theory exams are held in February, June and October annually for all musical disciplines and theories.

The Royal Schools referred to in ABRSM's title are:

• • The Royal Academy of Music

  • The Royal College of Music

  • The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

  • The Royal Northern College of Music

The candidates will be required:

• • You do not need to play repeats unless the syllabus specifically asks for them

  • A piano accompanist is needed for melody instruments (violin, flute etc)

  • Scales need to be done from memory, but books can be used for the pieces. No advantage is gained for playing from memory

  • Don't forget to prepare your aural tests and sight-reading to the same standard as your pieces

  • All syllabus details can be found on www.abrsm.org/vn

Marking scheme:

• • Practical graded exams are marked out of a total of 150, with 100 marks required for the pass, 120 for a Merit and 130 for a Distinction.

  • Theory exams are marked out of a total of 100, with 66 marks required for a pass, 80 for a Merit and 90 for a Distintion.