How do we mark exams?
ABRSM exams avoid the potential bias of instrument specialism by:
- applying universal, non-instrument-specific criteria
- focusing on the musical outcome, not the technical means behind it!
The marking criteria
The tables below show the marking criteria used by examiners in Singing exams.
Marking principles
In each element of the exam, ABRSM operates the principle of marking from the required pass mark positively or negatively, rather than awarding marks by deduction from the maximum or addition from zero.
In awarding marks, examiners balance the extent to which the qualities and skills listed below (broadly categorized by pitch, time, tone, shape and performance) are demonstrated and contribute towards the overall musical outcome.
Total marks
Practical graded music exams are marked out of a total of 150, with:
- 100 marks required for a Pass
- 120 marks required for a Merit
- 130 marks required for a Distinction
A Pass in each individual section of the exam is not required to pass overall.
Songs
Grades 1–8 (from January 2018)
Mark | Pitch | Time | Tone | Shape | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Distinction |
|
|
|
|
|
Merit |
|
|
|
|
|
Pass |
|
|
|
|
|
Below Pass |
|
|
|
|
|
13-16 |
|
|
|
|
|
10-12 |
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other exam elements
-
Grades 1-8
Mark
Unaccompanied song
Sight-singing
Distinction
19–21- Excellent control of pitch and intonation
- Rhythmic character well conveyed
- Sensitive use of vocal qualities
- Expressive, idiomatic musical shaping
- Fully committed communication, vivid story-telling
- Fluent, rhythmically accurate
- Accurate notes/pitch/key
- Musical detail realised
- Confident presentation
Merit
17–18- Good control of pitch and intonation
- Rhythmic character conveyed
- Good use of vocal qualities
- Clear musical shaping
- Good musical involvement and story-telling
- Adequate tempo, usually steady pulse
- Mainly correct rhythm
- Largely correct notes/pitch/key
- Largely secure presentation
Pass
14-16- Generally reliable control of pitch and intonation
- Adequate sense of rhythmic character
- Sufficient use of vocal qualities
- Some musical shaping
- Some musical involvement and story-telling
- Continuity generally maintained
- Note values mostly realised
- Pitch outlines in place, despite errors
- Cautious presentation
Below Pass
11-13- Unreliable control of pitch and/or intonation
- Inadequate sense of rhythmic character
- Insufficient use of vocal qualities
- Lack of musical shaping
- Insufficient musical involvement and/or story-telling
- Lacking overall continuity
- Incorrect note values
- Very approximate notes/pitch/key
- Insecure presentation
7-10
- Very unreliable control of pitch and/or intonation
- Lacking rhythmic character
- No use of vocal qualities
- No musical shaping
- Lacking musical involvement and/or story-telling
- No continuity or incomplete
- Note values unrealised
- Pitch outlines absent
- Very uncertain presentation
0
- No work offered
- No work offered
-
Grades 1-8
Mark
Aural tests
Distinction
17–18- Accurate throughout
- Musically perceptive
- Confident response
Merit
15–16- Strengths significantly outweigh weaknesses
- Musically aware
- Secure response
Pass
12-14- Strengths just outweigh weaknesses
- Cautious response
Below Pass
9-11- Weaknesses outweigh strengths
- Uncertain response
6-8
- Inaccuracy throughout
- Vague response
0
- No work offered