Frequently asked questions

When will the syllabus be available?
The Rock & Pop syllabus is available now. Details of the exams and song lists for each grade are also available online. Information about additional song lists is coming soon.

When will the songbooks be available to buy?
Initial to Grade 8 books are on sale and available now.

How can I enter an exam?
You can enter a UK exam on the website. If you want to enter an exam in another country, contact your Trinity coordinator in your country. Their details are here.

How much do the exams and books cost?
Entry fees for Trinity Rock & Pop exams are the same as for our existing grade exams. There is a book for each instrument and for each grade including a CD with demo and backing tracks. Additional songs will also be available as downloads. Prices for the books and downloads are listed on the Online Store.

What is the relationship between Rockschool exams and the new Rock & Pop exams from Trinity College London?
The partnership between Trinity and Rockschool has now finished. Rockschool will continue to offer exams independently of Trinity.

What is the difference between the Rock & Pop exams and existing Trinity grade exams (i.e. Drum Kit, Guitar, Singing and Electronic Keyboard)?
Trinity’s new Rock & Pop exams offer an alternative approach to the learning and teaching of these instruments and have been designed to reflect the way rock and pop musicians learn. The structure and content of the new Rock & Pop exams is different from our existing exams to reflect this, but the levels and validity of the qualifications are identical. The new Rock & Pop exams are designed to develop skills and techniques specific to rock and pop music such as hammer ons for guitarists and mic technique for vocalists.

How are the Rock & Pop exams accredited?
All the new Rock & Pop exams are fully accredited in the same way our existing graded exams are accredited. This includes accreditation by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) in England, and its respective partners in Wales and Northern Ireland. UCAS points for entry to UK higher education are available at Grades 6-8 and various arrangements are in place with education authorities worldwide.

Will there be any band exams available?
Selected pieces at each grade will appear in the song books across all instruments (bass, drums, guitar, keyboards and vocals). This means there is a great opportunity to get together in a group to play with friends or other learners as a band. Although Rock & Pop exams are primarily for solo musicians, Trinity offers certificate exams for groups and the songs from the Rock & Pop books can be used as a part of a free choice programme for a certificate exam. More information can be found on the Groups pages of the website.

Will the Rock & Pop exams be offered for other instruments?
Rock & Pop exams will initially be offered for bass, drums, guitar, keyboards and vocals.

Are there be any teacher training workshops for the new Rock & Pop exams?
Workshops and presentations about the new Rock & Pop exams are being held now and throughout 2013. They are designed for teachers, learners and anyone interested in the new exams and books. Details will be posted on the news and events page of the website and if you have registered your interest you will be notified of any events happening in your area.

Who are the examiners?
A top quality panel of examiners is an essential aspect of the delivery of all Trinity exams. We are recruiting additional examiners to carry out the assessments and we will be looking for people who:
- have a broad experience and knowledge of rock and pop music
- can carry out assessments fairly and accurately
- have excellent people skills including working with young people

Are there alternative keys available for songs in the Vocals syllabus?

Yes, some of the songs at Initial to Grade 5 are available in one alternative key. These are available as downloads from the online store. At Grades 6-8, there are two songbooks available for each grade, one for male voice and one for female voice. Although these books have male and female in the title, candidates may choose to perform songs from either book in their exam.

Are candidates able to accompany themselves in their Rock & Pop exam?

Candidates can accompany themsleves for every song in their exam, however they must play along with the backing tracks for Songs 1 and 3. For example, vocalists could play guitar or keyboards along to the backing track for these two songs in their Vocals exam. For Song 2, candidates may accompany themselves without a backing track. The examiner will only mark the performance on the instrument being examined - for example, vocalists accompanying themselves on guitar in their Vocals exam will only be marked on their vocal performance.

Can candidates create their own backing tracks to use in their Rock & Pop exam?

Candidates may create their own backing track for Song 2 only - they must use the backing tracks in the books and downloads for Songs 1 and 3. If a candidate is using their own backing track for Song 2 they must bring this along on the day of the exam and give it to the examiner.

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