Tag: ABRSM Theory Exam

Later today I will be publishing our ABRSM and Rockschool exam results from the July Summer session. In the meantime, here’s some interesting information taken from the ABRSM web site about the number of candidates entering for graded exams by instrument. You can see just how popular the piano is in the UK and also what grades candidates achieved at examinations. As a keen harpsichordist, it’s a shame that only 15 students entered exams in 2009. I’m hoping to boost those numbers by getting more pianists learning the harpsichord too! I organise harpsichord competitions for musicians of all ages and abilities as well as workshops at Handel House Museum and Peregrine’s Pianos.

1) Entries by instrument/subject.
Source: ABRSM page 

2009 entries by instrument including graded music exams, Prep Test and Performance Assessment

Instrument	Entries
Piano	124,090
Theory of Music	45,275
Violin	35,587
Flute	28,832
Singing	27,657
Clarinet	23,022
Alto Saxophone	10,812
Cello	8,166
Trumpet	7,821
Guitar	5,035
B Flat Cornet	3,401
Descant Recorder	2,897
Oboe	2,768
Trombone	2,459
Viola	2,072
Jazz Piano	1,803
Horn	1,393
Harp	1,392
Jazz Alto Sax	1,209
Bassoon	1,077
Double Bass	1,033
E Flat Horn	960
Euphonium	651
Treble Recorder	574
Tenor Saxophone	509
Organ	490
Percussion	479
Baritone	402
Tuba	379
Practical Musicianship	290
Jazz Clarinet	268
Soprano Saxophone	257
Jazz Trumpet	212
Jazz Flute	172
Jazz Tenor Saxophone	119
Jazz Trombone	53
Bass Trombone	22
Jazz Cornet	22
Jazz Soprano Sax	16
Baritone Saxophone	15
Harpsichord	15
E Flat Soprano Cornet	7
Jazz Baritone Sax	3
Jazz Flugelhorn	2

2) Practical exam statistics
Source: ABRSM Page 

2009

Grade	Pass	Merit	Distinction	Fail	Total
1	29,833	29,822	14,982	1,253	75,890
2	25,893	19,269	7,370	1,646	54,178
3	22,506	16,262	6,016	1,714	46,498
4	16,337	10,819	4,119	1,610	32,885
5	15,116	9,318	3,772	1,953	30,159
6	6,044	4,258	1,948	855	13,105
7	4,053	3,033	1,782	701	9,569
8	3,307	2,851	2,542	858	9,558
					271,842

3) Theory Exam statistics
Source: ABRSM Page 

2009

Grade	Pass	Merit	Distinction	Fail	Total
1	1,004	1,886	4,312	385	7,587
2	615	1,414	2,881	183	5,093
3	1,212	1,662	1,409	533	4,816
4	773	915	636	339	2,663
5	7,709	7,528	3,695	3,094	22,026
6	433	136	27	246	842
7	121	74	16	21	232
8	143	88	12	96	339
					43,598

I believe that the average age for a candidate taking Grade 1 piano is 10. I cannot find the exact reference for this, although there is mention of this in an old copy of ‘Libretto‘, a magazine published by the ABRSM. This also states that the ‘typical Grade 5 practical candidate is 14 years old’.

ABRSM’s graded music exams for individual instruments, singing and Theory as well as diplomas and Music Medals are accredited by the regulatory authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and are part of the National Qualifications Framework. In Australia, Canada and South Africa, ABRSM exams can be used for credit towards the relevant qualifications taken by students completing compulsory secondary education. The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) includes Grades 6–8 in the tariff for UK university and college entrance.