Overview
Performance is at the heart of Trinity’s Music grades as we believe that musicianship is most effectively demonstrated through practical performance. Our exams are numbered from Initial (in many subjects) to Grade 8. The Initial exam acts as an introduction to the exam system for new performers.
Trinity College London graded exams:
- Recognise that a flexible approach is best, prioritising candidates’ individual needs
- Offer freedom of choice within assessments, enabling candidates to demonstrate their musicianship in the way that suits them best
- Assess real-life skills that translate naturally from real music-making to the assessment
- Assess skills that are specific to each discipline
- Allow candidates to express their whole musical personalities through options to demonstrate creativity in different ways
- Provide precise and specific feedback to inform continued learning.
Face-to-face and digital exam options
At Trinity, we enable candidates to play to their strengths and select an exam type that works best for them. Candidates can choose between performing face-to-face with an examiner, or submitting a video upload – where they can either take the Technical Work or Repertoire Only pathways.
Please see below for full details of the requirements for each option.
Face to face exams
 | Three pieces (four for Singing Grades 6-8) from the repertoire lists in the relevant Classical and Jazz syllabus. | 66 Marks |
 | Candidates prepare technical work from options including scales & arpeggios, exercises and orchestral extracts, and a selection is requested by the examiner. | 14 Marks |
 | Two supporting tests from sight reading, aural, improvisation and musical knowledge, depending on the grade and the candidate’s choice. | 20 Marks |
| TOTAL: | 100 Marks |
Digital exams: Technical Work pathway
| Three pieces (four for Singing Grades 6-8) from the repertoire lists in the relevant Classical and Jazz syllabus. | 66 Marks |
 | The same technical work options as in a face-to-face exam, but with reduced requirements to reflect the selection of technical work that candidates would be asked to perform in a face-to-face exam. Please download details of the technical requirements. | 14 Marks |
| Candidates will be assessed on how well the musical skills and knowledge that underpin the supporting tests are demonstrated within the context of their entire performance (ie the pieces and technical work). Please see the syllabus and the Overall Performance Criteria page for further information. | 20 Marks |
| TOTAL: | 100 Marks |
Digital exams: Repertoire-only pathway
 | Four pieces (five for Singing Grades 6-8) from the repertoire lists in the relevant Classical and Jazz syllabus. | 100 Marks |
| TOTAL: | 100 Marks |