Opus 1 Music Studio

Program guide

The ABRSM music exam program: grades, exam types, scoring, and the 2026 calendar

ABRSM is the world's best-known music exam board — and Opus 1's Mountain View Moffett studio is the Bay Area's official ABRSM exam location. Here's how the program works: the grade ladder, the three exam types, the 150-point scoring scale, and this year's sessions.

All Exam Paths

Quick answer

Grades Initial–8 · 3 exam types · scored out of 150

ABRSM (the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) has examined students since 1889 and is the most widely recognized music credential worldwide. Students climb Initial Grade through Grade 8 (then ARSM/LRSM/FRSM diplomas) via three exam types — Practical, Performance Grade, and Theory — scored out of 150: Pass at 100, Merit at 120, Distinction at 130. In the Bay Area, practical exams are held at Opus 1's Mountain View Moffett studio, the official ABRSM exam location.

Opus 1 Music Studio Editorial Team , Editorial Team

Reviewed by Doris Lellouche , Director & Co-founder

What ABRSM is — and why it carries weight.

ABRSM was founded in 1889 by the UK's royal music schools and now examines students in over 90 countries, making its certificates the most portable music credential a student can earn. UK universities use Grade 8 as a baseline music qualification, and US conservatory and college admissions officers routinely accept ABRSM grades as evidence of level. Each grade has a published syllabus of repertoire, technical work, and musicianship skills, so progress is measured against a global standard rather than a local one.

ABRSM is one of three exam paths at Opus 1, alongside Certificate of Merit and RCM — see music exam preparation for the overview. California families often weigh ABRSM against the state's own program: our ABRSM vs Certificate of Merit comparison covers that choice, and the Certificate of Merit program guide is this page's sibling.

The three ABRSM exam types.

Most families know "the ABRSM exam" as one thing — it's actually three distinct formats, and students often combine them.

Practical Performance Grade Music Theory
Format In person — held at Opus 1's Mountain View Moffett studio, the Bay Area's official ABRSM exam location Remote — students submit a video recording, assessed by an ABRSM examiner Grades 1–5 online (taken whenever the student is ready); Grades 6–8 paper-based at a scheduled sitting
What's assessed Three prepared pieces, scales and arpeggios, sight-reading, and aural tests A four-piece video program judged on communication and interpretation — no scales, sight-reading, or aural component Written knowledge of notation, harmony, and musical structure at the grade level
When it's offered Two local sessions a year — spring (April–June) and fall (October–December) Monthly submission windows, pending booking availability Online: anytime. Paper (Grades 6–8): two 2026 sittings — March 7 and November 7
Good to know The most comprehensive credential — the traditional ABRSM exam Does not replace the Practical exam; suits strong performers and remote-friendly schedules Grade 5 Theory is the gateway: it must be passed before Grade 6+ Practical or Performance exams

The ABRSM grade ladder.

Grades measure skill, not age — teachers register students when they're genuinely ready for the level.

Grade Typical stage What it means
Initial – Grade 3 Roughly the first 1–3 years of study Foundation repertoire, simple scales, and beginning sight-reading — the habit of preparing music to a standard.
Grades 4–5 Intermediate years (Grade 5 ≈ 4–7 years from a fresh start) Substantial repertoire and the Grade 5 Theory milestone that unlocks the advanced practical and performance grades.
Grades 6–7 Advanced study — typically 12–18 months per grade Demanding repertoire, complex scales, and serious sight-reading; usually paired with a Senior or Master teacher.
Grade 8 Most students have played 8–12 years The university-entry standard worldwide and a strong college-application credential.
ARSM / LRSM / FRSM Post–Grade 8 diplomas Performance diplomas beyond Grade 8 — Opus 1 students have earned ARSM with Merit.

How ABRSM exams are scored.

Practical and Performance Grade exams are marked out of 150 points. The bands below are the same ones used on the results our students bring home:

Result Score What it signals
Pass with Distinction 130–150 points Top-tier result — excellent across pieces, technique, and musicianship.
Pass with Merit 120–129 points A strong result, well above a straight pass.
Pass 100–119 points The grade standard is met and the certificate is earned.

Music Theory exams use their own scale — a Distinction is 65–75 points — and results arrive as the same Pass / Merit / Distinction bands.

Take the exam where you take your lessons.

In the Bay Area, ABRSM practical exams are held at Opus 1's Mountain View Moffett studio — the region's official ABRSM exam location — on weekdays between 8:00 am and 2:30 pm during each exam session. For Opus 1 students that means performing for the examiner in a familiar room, often on the same piano they use every week, instead of traveling to an unknown venue. Opus 1 handles registration and scheduling with ABRSM directly for all enrolled students.

The 2026 ABRSM calendar.

  1. Spring practical session. Exams run April–June at the Moffett studio.
  2. Grade 6–8 paper theory. Two 2026 sittings: March 7 and November 7 (Grade 1–5 theory is online and available anytime).
  3. Fall practical session. Exams run October–December at the Moffett studio.
  4. Performance Grade. Video submissions are accepted monthly throughout the year, pending booking availability.
  5. Registration. Booking closes months before each session and Opus 1 handles it end to end — tell your teacher a term ahead that you want to take an exam.

Not sure where to start?

Ask us which ABRSM grade fits your student.

Tell us the student's age, instrument, and experience — we'll suggest a realistic grade and the exam type that plays to their strengths.

How Opus 1 prepares ABRSM students.

ABRSM work happens inside the normal weekly private lesson — there is no separate exam class or extra tuition. Teachers build the term around the grade syllabus: repertoire first, technique and sight-reading woven in weekly, aural skills practiced in the lesson, and the Grade 5 theory milestone scheduled so it never blocks a practical grade. Studio recitals during the year double as rehearsals for performing under pressure, and for Grades 6 and above we typically match students with a Senior or Master teacher.

ABRSM by instrument.

ABRSM piano exams

Piano is the largest ABRSM track at Opus 1 — from Initial Grade through Grade 8, plus the ARSM diploma. Piano students sit their practical exams in the same Moffett studio where many of them take weekly lessons. See piano lessons in Mountain View or Palo Alto.

ABRSM violin exams

Violinists follow the ABRSM strings syllabus — graded pieces, scales and arpeggios, sight-reading, and aural work built into the weekly lesson plan. See violin lessons in Mountain View or Palo Alto.

ABRSM cello exams

Cello students prepare the ABRSM cello syllabus grade by grade, with recital performances during the year serving as low-pressure rehearsals for the exam room. See cello lessons in Mountain View or Palo Alto.

ABRSM voice exams

Singers can take ABRSM Singing exams — including the Singing for Musical Theatre syllabus — assessing prepared songs, musicianship, and aural skills adapted for the voice. See voice lessons in Mountain View or Palo Alto.

ABRSM guitar exams

Guitarists follow the ABRSM guitar syllabus alongside RCM options — graded classical repertoire, scales, and musicianship that give self-taught players structure. See guitar lessons in Mountain View or Palo Alto.

ABRSM FAQs

What families ask about ABRSM.

What is ABRSM?

ABRSM — the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music — is a UK-based music exam board that has been examining students since 1889 and is the most widely recognized music credential in the world. Students progress through Initial Grade and Grades 1–8, with ARSM, LRSM, and FRSM diplomas beyond, assessed on performance, technique, sight-reading, aural skills, and written theory.

What's the difference between the ABRSM Practical and Performance Grade exams?

The Practical exam is the traditional, comprehensive format: three prepared pieces plus scales, sight-reading, and aural tests, taken in person. The Performance Grade is a four-piece program submitted by video and judged on performance alone — no scales, sight-reading, or aural component. The Performance Grade does not replace the Practical exam; teachers recommend the format that fits each student's strengths and goals.

Do I need Grade 5 Music Theory before taking Grade 6?

Yes. ABRSM requires a pass in Grade 5 Music Theory before a student can take Grade 6, 7, or 8 in either the Practical or Performance Grade track. Grades 1–5 theory exams are taken online whenever the student is ready, so Opus 1 teachers schedule the theory milestone alongside repertoire work to keep the pathway open.

What instruments can take ABRSM exams at Opus 1?

Opus 1 prepares and registers students for ABRSM exams in piano, violin, cello, voice (including the Singing for Musical Theatre syllabus), and guitar, from Initial Grade through Grade 8 — plus the ARSM piano diploma. Students on other instruments should ask their teacher about exam options case by case.

How long does each ABRSM grade take?

Early grades typically take about a year each; reaching Grade 5 usually takes four to seven years from a fresh start, and the advanced grades (6–8) commonly take 12–18 months each. Most students who pass Grade 8 have played for 8–12 years. Teachers register a student only when they are genuinely ready, so paces vary.

When are ABRSM exams in 2026?

Practical exams run in two local sessions: spring (April–June) and fall (October–December), held on weekdays at Opus 1's Mountain View Moffett studio. Grade 6–8 paper-based theory has two 2026 sittings, March 7 and November 7; Grade 1–5 theory is online and available anytime. Performance Grade video submissions are accepted monthly. Booking closes months before each session — Opus 1 handles all registration, so tell your teacher a term ahead.

Is Opus 1 an official ABRSM exam center?

Yes — Opus 1 Music Studio's Mountain View Moffett campus is the Bay Area's official exam location for ABRSM practical exams. Opus 1 students prepare and sit their exams in the same studio, and the studio handles registration and scheduling with ABRSM directly.

FAQ library

Use these pages for enrollment, pricing, policies, online lessons, exam preparation, instrument setup, and the general customer FAQ hub.

Start here

Fast orientation for new families.

Hub FAQ Home

Start with the customer FAQ hub for lessons, tuition, policies, online lessons, exams, and setup.

 First lesson First Piano Lesson

A minute-by-minute guide to what happens in a first trial piano lesson.

Lessons and policies

Enrollment, tuition, billing, and attendance.

Lessons Private Lessons

Lesson ages, trial lessons, instruments, and what students need before regular lessons.

 Pricing Tuition and Fees

Trial pricing, monthly membership tuition, registration fees, and billing notes.

 Private policy Private lessons studio policy

Make-up credits, cancellations, withdrawal timing, billing, and ongoing enrollment policies.

 Group policy Group classes studio policy

Group class enrollment, attendance, make-up, withdrawal, and class policy details.

Exams and setup

Online lessons, exams, and instrument-specific setup.

Online Online Lessons FAQ

How to join online lessons, set up Zoom, and improve online lesson audio.

 Violin Violin Student FAQ

Violin sizing, accessories, rosin, strings, tuning, and instrument care.

 Exams Music Exam Preparation

Exam programs, preparation paths, and how teachers support students.

 Compare ABRSM vs Certificate of Merit

A side-by-side guide to the two main exam paths for Bay Area students.

 CM Certificate of Merit Guide

How California's MTAC Certificate of Merit works — levels, timeline, and preparation.

Readiness by instrument

Age-readiness guides by instrument.

Readiness Best Age to Start Piano

Readiness signs, age range, and what parents should know before starting piano.

 Violin age Best Age to Start Violin

Readiness signs, Suzuki considerations, sizing, and expectations for young violin students.

 Cello age Best Age to Start Cello

Readiness signs, instrument sizing, and what makes cello a good fit for a child.

 Guitar age Best Age to Start Guitar

Readiness signs, guitar size, and when ukulele may be a better first step.

 Voice age Best Age to Start Voice

Readiness signs and healthy expectations for children beginning formal voice lessons.

Ready to start?

Meet an ABRSM-experienced teacher at a trial.

All Exam Paths