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Practical Exam Preparation Guide

PRACTICAL EXAM PREPARATION GUIDE

Pieces

Aim to play the pieces without any slips, and to include ALL the details included in the scores such as crescendo, rit, staccato etc.  Always perform the pieces to a friendly audience (family and friends) a few weeks before the exam.  Listen to the recording daily to understand how the pieces should be played.

 

Scales

Practice scales and arpeggios help you build up reliable technique and develop co-ordination. For string players they help bow control.  Get someone to test you like a spelling test. Can you play the named scales without any mistake, smoothly phrased and with no hiccups along the way?

 

Sight Reading

Remember that keep going is the key to a Pass.  Aim to keep a basic pulse, despite slips on the way, rather than stopping to correct them. Do feel free to try out any part of the test piece in the half-minute allowed before the actual test begins.

 

On the day of the exam

We recommend that candidates wear something formal for the exams- a dress for girls, and long pants and shirt for boys, wear a nice pair of covered shoes.  Dress like what you would do if you were to attend a formal wedding dinner.  This is to create a good first impression.  In doubt, wear your school uniform.

Also, have a thorough warm-up session before the exam.

 

Once at the exam centre, there is still much that a candidate can do to prepare in the few minutes before their exam, including:

  • loosening and exercising fingers
  • quietly humming a few scales if you are a singer
  • mentally running through the music

 

At the start of each exam, the examiner will encourage each candidate to:

  • take a few moments to get comfortable. The examiner will be happy to help with adjusting the height of the piano stool or music stand, and candidates should not be afraid to ask.
  • Arrive in the waiting room at least 15 minutes before your exam is due to start.
  • Use the time before your exam to get your music and instrument ready – you can warm up silently by moving your fingers.
  • Feeling nervous before an exam is natural. Try smiling as you go in – it will help you relax
  • It’s fine to ask the examiner if you can warm up by playing a scale or a few bars of a piece at the start of the exam.
  • Try to keep going in the exam even if you make a mistake.
  • Don’t worry about pauses between your pieces – the examiner will be writing and will tell you when to start your next piece

 

Remember – the examiner is on your side and is looking forward to hearing you perform!