How the exams are marked

Songs

The marks for the songs are made up of three different assessment areas:
 

Assessment area

Criteria include the following elements:

Songs 1 & 2

Song 3    Technical focus

Fluency & Musical Detail

Sense of pulse, synchronisation with backing track, continuity, rhythm, notes, dynamics, phrasing, articulation

8

8

Technical Control

All instruments and Vocals:

balance, tone, sound quality, co-ordination, expressive shaping of phrases, use of instrumental resources

8

12

Bass & Guitar:

bends, slides, vibrato, use of fx pedals and amp

8

12

Drums:

stick control, rudiments, posture, independence of hands and feet, use of the kit

8

12

Keyboards:

pedalling, fingering, use of function keys

8

12

Vocals:

breathing, diction, intonation, use of microphone

8

12

Communication & Style

Giving a confident performance, being musically engaged, feel and expression, communicating the musical mood and character, demonstrating stylistic awareness in ad libs, fills, improvised bars and solos

9

10

 

TOTAL

25

30

 

Session skills

Candidates choose one of the two Session skills. Each is marked out of 20:
 

Component

Criteria

Total mark

Playback

How accurately and fluently the candidate performs the music 

20

OR

Improvising

How effectively the candidate creates an original response to a backing track 

20


Mark bands

Mark band

Song  1

Song 2

Song 3

Session skills

TOTAL

TOTAL MARKS AVAILABLE

25

25

30

20

100

Distinction

22

22

26

17

87

Merit

19

19

22

15

75

Pass

15

15

18

12

60

Below Pass 1

11

11

14

9

45

Below Pass 2

below 11

below 11

below 14

below 9

below 45

 

 

You’ll find more details about the marking criteria on the Syllabus page.
 

"IT'S REALLY NICE HAVING THE ABILITY TO CHOOSE WHAT YOU LIKE ... IT'S HELPED ME DEVELOP AS A MUSICIAN."

JOSHUA, GRADE 7 GUITARIST

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