ABRSM Graded Music Exams

ABRSM now offer a comprehensive set of guidelines on their website for candidates with special needs who want to take Graded Music Exams:

• Guidelines for deaf and hearing-impaired candidates
• Guidelines for blind and partially-sighted candidates
• Guidelines for candidates with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD)
• Guidelines for candidates with dyslexia and other learning difficulties
• Guidelines for candidates with other disabilities and their teachers
• General information for candidates using an amanuensis
• Guidelines for Interpreters for Deaf and Hearing-impaired candidates

Unlike the ABRSM Performance Assessment, which permits students to choose their own instrument and repertoire, Graded Music Exams require the performance of a set syllabus on particular, conventional musical instruments (e.g. piano, violin, oboe etc.) And, as the special needs web-page explains: "It is important to understand that while we are able to make provisions for the  administration of the exam, e.g. extra time or alternative tests, we do not make any concessions in the marking of the exam – all candidates are treated equally."