Music exam discount pilot announced by ABRSM and Music Mark

Music exam board ABRSM has announced the pilot of a discount scheme that will enable students facing ‘significant financial barriers’ to take instrumental and vocal exams at a lower cost. 

The scheme will be operated by subject association Music Mark, who will allocate exam discounts to music services. During the pilot, which runs from now until July 2024, the allocation will be calculated according to published school roll numbers with adjustments for deprivation.

Exams included in the scheme are Instrumental & Singing: Prep Test, Practical Grades (Initial to Grade 8), Performance Grades (Initial to Grade 8), ARSM diploma and Performance Assessment; Music Theory: Grades 1 to 5 (online) and Grades 6 to 8 (paper-based).

Depending on their financial circumstances, some students could be eligible for discounts of up to 95 per cent. The means-testing will be carried out by individual music services, rather than ABRSM or Music Mark. 

Without the discount, face-to-face exams cost between £46 (Prep Test) and £119 (Grade 8). Digital performance grades cost between £44 and £110, depending on the grade, and ARSM exams cost £200 if face-to-face and £186 if online. Grade 5 Theory costs £51 and Grade 8 Theory costs £60.

To receive their discount allocation, music services should email Music Mark (info@musicmark.org.uk) at the start of each term, at least three weeks before they need to book exams. Students, parents, or carers should contact their music service to find out how to apply for a discount. 

ABRSM’s chief executive Chris Cobb said: ‘At a time when costs and prices are increasing, we are ever more aware that many families are facing financial hardship. 

‘The pilot discount scheme is about working with music services to help them support those facing the biggest challenges, and about helping to make music learning, and progression more accessible for more people.’

gb.abrsm.org/en