Music Exams and Grades Explained: ABRSM, Trinity and RSL
Music grades are graded exams that measure playing or singing from beginner to advanced. ABRSM and Trinity run an Initial Grade then Grades 1–8; RSL (Rockschool) runs Debut then Grades 1–8. ABRSM marks out of 150 (Pass 100, Distinction 130); Trinity and RSL mark out of 100 (Pass 60). Grade 8 is the top grade, and diplomas come after it.
Works in the UK and the US. This version uses US music words (measure, quarter note, staff); the UK version uses bar, crotchet and stave. · UK version of this page
Key facts
- ABRSM and Trinity: Initial Grade, then Grades 1–8. RSL (Rockschool): Debut, then Grades 1–8.
- ABRSM Practical and Performance Grades: out of 150 – Pass 100, Merit 120, Distinction 130.
- Trinity graded exams: out of 100 – Pass 60, Merit 75, Distinction 87.
- RSL Grade Exams: Pass 60%, Merit 74%, Distinction 90%.
- ABRSM Grades 6–8 need Grade 5 Music Theory, Practical Musicianship or a Grade 5 jazz solo first.
- UCAS points: Grade 8 is 18 (Pass), 24 (Merit) or 30 (Distinction).
- After Grade 8: diplomas such as ARSM (Level 4), LRSM (Level 6) and FRSM (Level 7).
Classfern’s free guide on lessonplanner.info compares the three best-known boards side by side, with a marks calculator and a quick quiz. It is written by the Classfern Music Department for students, parents and teachers in the US.
Marks calculator: what result would these marks get?
Everything runs in your browser. Nothing you type or answer is sent anywhere.
Choose a marking system graded like ABRSM, Trinity or RSL, type the mark for each section and see the total and band straight away – and how many more marks you need for the next band.
How it is assessed: Self-assessed. You type in marks from a mark form or a mock exam; Classfern only adds them up. It is not an exam result.
Quick quiz: how well do you know music grades?
Everything runs in your browser. Nothing you type or answer is sent anywhere.
8 questions on the facts on this page, with an explanation after every answer. Learning mode gives you two tries; test mode gives one try and your score at the end.
How it is assessed: Marked by Classfern – the answers are checked by rules in your browser.
What are music grades?
Music grades are graded exams in playing or singing, from beginner to advanced. ABRSM and Trinity run an Initial Grade and then Grades 1–8; RSL (Rockschool) runs Debut and then Grades 1–8. Grade 8 is the highest grade, and diplomas follow it.
Each grade is a separate exam, and you can start at any grade – many people skip grades. The same board also runs theory exams (written) alongside the practical exams (played). In England’s qualification framework, Grades 1–3 are Level 1, Grades 4–5 are Level 2 and Grades 6–8 are Level 3, the same level as A levels.
| Board | Levels | Marked out of | Pass / Merit / Distinction | What is in a typical exam |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABRSM (Practical Grades) | Initial, Grades 1–8 | 150 | 100 / 120 / 130 | 3 pieces (30 marks each), scales and arpeggios (21), sight-reading (21), aural tests (18) |
| ABRSM (Performance Grades) | Grades 1–8 | 150 | 100 / 120 / 130 | 4 pieces as one recorded performance: 3 from the syllabus and 1 own choice, plus a mark for the performance as a whole |
| Trinity College London | Initial, Grades 1–8 | 100 | 60 / 75 / 87 | 3 pieces (22 each), technical work (14), 2 supporting tests (10 each) |
| RSL (Rockschool) Grade Exams | Debut, Grades 1–8 | 100 | 60% / 74% / 90% | 3 pieces (20 each), technical exercises (15), sight reading or improvisation (10), ear tests (10), general musicianship questions (5) |
How is an ABRSM exam marked?
An ABRSM Practical Grade is marked out of 150: each of the three pieces is out of 30, scales and arpeggios out of 21, sight-reading out of 21 and aural tests out of 18. You need 100 to pass, 120 for Merit and 130 for Distinction.
The examiner gives a mark for each section and writes a short comment on the mark form. The total decides the result, so a strong piece can make up for a weaker scale section. For each section, about two-thirds of its marks is a pass level: 20 out of 30 for a piece, 14 out of 21 for scales or sight-reading, and 12 out of 18 for aural tests.
Trinity marks out of 100 (Pass 60–74, Merit 75–86, Distinction 87–100). RSL (Rockschool) Grade Exams also work in percentages: Pass 60%, Merit 74% and Distinction 90%. Use the marks calculator below to add up a mark form or a mock exam.
What is the difference between Practical Grades and Performance Grades?
Practical Grades test pieces, scales, sight-reading and aural skills in front of an examiner. Performance Grades are four pieces played as one recorded performance – three from the syllabus and one of your own choice – with no scales, sight-reading or aural tests. Both are marked out of 150.
ABRSM introduced Performance Grades in September 2020. They are assessed remotely from a recording, use the same repertoire lists as Practical Grades, and are described by the board as equal in demand and value. Each piece gets a mark out of 30 and the performance as a whole gets another 30. You can switch between the two types from one grade to the next.
Do you need Grade 5 theory to take Grade 6, 7 or 8?
With ABRSM, yes: before a Grade 6, 7 or 8 practical exam you must have passed Grade 5 or above in Music Theory, Grade 5 or above in Practical Musicianship, or a Grade 5 solo jazz exam. The board lists other accepted qualifications on its website.
ABRSM theory exams run from Grade 1 to Grade 8. Grades 1–5 are taken online and marked out of 75 (Pass 50, Merit 60, Distinction 65); Grades 6–8 are paper exams marked out of 100 (Pass 66, Merit 80, Distinction 90). Classfern’s free theory and ear training tests give new practice questions every time at five levels, like Grades 1–5.
What comes after Grade 8?
After Grade 8 come diplomas. ABRSM’s performance diplomas are ARSM (Level 4), LRSM (Level 6) and FRSM (Level 7); from 2024 the DipABRSM performance diploma was withdrawn. Trinity has its own diplomas. Grades 6–8 also carry UCAS points for UK university entry.
| Grade | Pass | Merit | Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 |
| Grade 7 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
| Grade 8 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
ARSM is a recorded or live performance at a level just above Grade 8. LRSM and FRSM are digital-only: a recorded program (40–45 minutes for LRSM, 50–55 for FRSM) plus written or spoken supporting work.
Which syllabus and books do I need?
You need the current syllabus for your instrument, which each board publishes free online, and a copy of each piece you play. Syllabuses are replaced every few years, with an overlap so you can finish pieces you have started.
For example, ABRSM’s 2025 & 2026 piano syllabus is valid until 31 December 2027, and its 2027 & 2028 piano syllabus can be used from 1 January 2027. The board’s Piano Exam Pieces books hold nine pieces per grade from the longer syllabus lists, so you can also buy pieces separately. See our piano grades guide for the piano details. Grade 5 flute, violin, singing and the rest follow the same pattern: pieces from lists, then the technical and listening tests in that instrument’s syllabus.
Other ABRSM assessments you may hear about include the Initial Grade (a step before Grade 1) and Music Medals, which were designed for younger, group-taught learners – check the board’s current list before planning, because the range of exams changes.
How do UK music grades compare with US programs?
The nearest US equivalent is The Royal Conservatory (RCM) Certificate Program, with Preparatory levels, Levels 1–10 and the ARCT diploma. AP Music Theory is a single high-school exam, closer to theory grades. ABRSM exams can also be taken in the United States.
The AP Music Theory exam lasts about 2 hours 40 minutes: 75 multiple-choice questions (45% of the score), 7 written free-response questions (45%) and 2 sight-singing melodies (10%). Many US students also take part in All-State ensembles and solo and ensemble festivals run by state music educators associations (the state groups of NAfME). These are auditions and festivals rather than graded exams, but they reward similar skills: prepared pieces, scales and sight-reading.
Classfern is not connected with or endorsed by ABRSM, Trinity College London, RSL Awards (Rockschool), AQA, Pearson Edexcel, OCR, WJEC/Eduqas or CCEA. Board names are used only to describe and compare their exams. The College Board, The Royal Conservatory and NAfME are named only to compare. Nothing here is an official syllabus, specification or past paper. Facts were checked against the boards’ own published pages; rules change, so always check the current syllabus or specification.
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