Singing Exams Explained: What a Graded Singing Syllabus Asks For
Works in the UK and the US. This version uses UK music words (bar, crotchet, stave); the US version uses measure, quarter note and staff. · US version of this page
A graded singing exam usually has four parts: songs chosen from set lists (three at Grades 1–5 and four at Grades 6–8 in the 150-mark exams), an unaccompanied traditional song or technical work, sight-singing, and aural tests. In 150-mark exams, 100 marks is a Pass, 120 a Merit and 130 a Distinction. Boards include ABRSM, Trinity, LCM and RSL.
Updated 28 October 2026 · By the Classfern Music Department
Not an official page. Classfern is not connected with or endorsed by ABRSM, Trinity College London, London College of Music (LCM), RSL Awards (Rockschool), The Royal Conservatory (RCM), NATS or the College Board. We describe their exams for comparison only. Always check the board’s current syllabus before you choose songs or book an exam.
- ABRSM’s classical Singing syllabus dates from 2018 (revised 2023); no next revision is scheduled.
- ABRSM marks: three songs × 30, unaccompanied traditional song 21, sight-singing 21, aural 18 = 150 (Grades 1–5).
- Grades 6–8 sing four songs (24 + 24 + 21 + 21 marks), keeping the same 150 total.
- ABRSM Singing for Musical Theatre: one song from each of Lists A, B and C, one sung unaccompanied, all from memory.
- Trinity singing exams are out of 100: songs 66, technical work 14, supporting tests 20. Pass 60, Merit 75, Distinction 87.
- In North America, the RCM Certificate Program (Preparatory and Levels 1–10) plays a similar role.
Aural and exam practice quiz
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Marked by Classfern Seven questions like the aural part of a graded exam: is the second note higher or lower, is the chord major or minor, is the music in 2 time or 3 time – plus a few questions about how exams work. Learning mode gives you two tries and explains each answer.
What is in the ABRSM singing syllabus?
ABRSM’s classical singing exam has accompanied songs from Lists A, B and C, an unaccompanied traditional song, sight-singing and aural tests, marked out of 150.
| Part | Grades 1–5 | Grades 6–8 |
|---|---|---|
| Songs (accompanied) | 3 songs, 30 marks each (one from each of Lists A, B and C) | 4 songs: 24, 24, 21 and 21 marks |
| Unaccompanied traditional song | 21 marks – a folk song of your choice, from memory | 21 marks |
| Sight-singing | 21 marks – a short unseen piece, with the examiner at the piano | 21 marks |
| Aural tests | 18 marks – pitch, pulse, rhythm, melody and harmony | 18 marks |
| Total | 150 (Pass 100, Merit 120, Distinction 130) | 150 |
The unaccompanied song replaces scales and arpeggios. You may sing it in any key and play the first note or key chord on the piano first. You don’t need to pass every part to pass the exam – the total counts. People also search for this as the “ABRSM vocal syllabus” or “voice syllabus”; it is the same syllabus.
What is in the ABRSM musical theatre syllabus?
Singing for Musical Theatre asks for one song from each of Lists A, B and C, one of which is sung unaccompanied, all from memory, plus accompanied sight-singing and aural tests.
The syllabus was first published in 2018, and new songs were added from January 2023. Many list songs come from shows that are still in copyright, so you buy the published songbooks rather than printing words from the internet.
What do you sing in a Grade 5 singing exam?
In ABRSM Grade 5 singing you perform three accompanied songs (one from each list), one unaccompanied traditional song from memory, then do sight-singing and aural tests.
Grade 5 is often the first big target: the songs are longer, the range is wider, and the aural tests include questions about features of a piece the examiner plays. Use the 20-minute warm-up before every practice in the last month.
How do the singing exam boards compare?
All the main boards test songs plus some musicianship, but they weight it differently: ABRSM marks out of 150 with a large share for aural and sight-singing, while Trinity marks out of 100 and gives two-thirds of the marks to songs.
| Exam | Levels | Main parts | Total | Pass / Merit / Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABRSM Singing | Grades 1–8 | Songs, unaccompanied traditional song, sight-singing, aural | 150 | 100 / 120 / 130 |
| ABRSM Singing for Musical Theatre | Grades 1–8 | Three songs from Lists A–C (one unaccompanied), all from memory; sight-singing; aural | 150 | 100 / 120 / 130 |
| Trinity Singing | Initial – Grade 8 | Songs (3, or 4 at Grades 6–8), technical work, supporting tests | 100 | 60 / 75 / 87 |
| RSL (Rockschool) Vocals | Debut – Grade 8 | Pop and rock songs with backing tracks, technical work, unprepared tests | See the RSL syllabus | |
| LCM Singing | Grades 1–8 | Repertoire, technical work, discussion and musicianship tests | See the LCM syllabus | |
| RCM Certificate Program (voice) | Preparatory, Levels 1–10 | Repertoire, technical tests and aural skills in one exam | 100 | See the RCM syllabus |
How do I prepare for a singing exam?
Start eight weeks or more before the exam: learn the songs first, memorise the unaccompanied song, then build daily sight-singing and regular aural practice, and finish with full run-throughs.
- Weeks 1–2: choose songs that sit in your comfortable range; learn the notes and rhythm slowly.
- Weeks 3–4: add the words and memorise the unaccompanied song. Sing it starting on different notes.
- Weeks 5–6: one sight-singing piece every day – look at the key, the time signature and the first note before you start.
- Weeks 7–8: aural practice three times a week (the quiz above), and two full run-throughs in exam order with a warm-up first.
Classfern tools that help: the singing play-along with range check (change the key until a song fits), reading music for singers for sight-singing, and the theory and aural tests for singers.
Exam-day checklist
Self-assessed Tick these off yourself – nothing is saved.
Can I take singing exams outside the UK?
Yes. ABRSM and Trinity run exams in many countries, and in North America the Royal Conservatory’s Certificate Program is the most similar system.
Grades are also useful at home: many sixth forms and conservatoire junior departments ask for a grade as evidence of level, and Grade 6–8 results can count towards UCAS points.
Is this quiz an official practice test?
No. The quiz is Classfern’s own practice in the style of graded aural tests. It is not a past paper and is not made or checked by any exam board.
It covers three of the simplest aural skills – pitch direction, major or minor, and 2 or 3 time – that appear in early grades. For more, use the theory and aural tests linked above.
From the Music Department
Classfern’s free singing exam guide on lessonplanner.info was written by the Classfern Music Department. Exam facts were checked against the boards’ published guides; syllabuses change, so always check the board’s own website before you enter.
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