On Your Marks
Section outline
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What does an examiner listen for during an exam - and why might one performance receive a different mark from another? On Your Marks gives you the opportunity to explore these questions and take a closer look at ABRSM assessment in action.
With a wide range of exam examples to explore, you can watch a performance, apply the relevant marking criteria and decide which marks you would award. When logged in, you can compare your marks with those awarded by the examiner and read their comments, offering valuable insight into how the criteria are applied in practice and an opportunity to reflect on your own understanding of assessment.
The collection includes Practical Exams, Performance Grades, Music Medals and diploma-level assessments, as well as the new Creative Musicianship exams, with examples from Composing, Songwriting and Music Production. On Your Marks can support your professional development, helping you deepen your understanding of assessment and consider how the marking criteria can inform your teaching.
You can also explore the resource with your students. Watching an exam together and discussing what you both notice can help demystify the experience. Used alongside ABRSM’s exam experience and preparation films, On Your Marks can help students become familiar with the exam format and understand what to expect on the day. For students who feel nervous about exams, this familiarity may help the experience feel less daunting and help them feel more prepared.
Use the first set of tabs to choose the exam or assessment you would like to explore. Once you have made your selection, a second set of options will appear, allowing you to choose from the specific examples available.
The options vary depending on the assessment. Choose Music Medals, for example, and you can explore a range of exams, including Copper Cello, Bronze Viola and Silver Violin. For Directing Diplomas, you can choose ARSM or LRSM and then select from the different instrumental groups available.
Once you have chosen an example, watch the exam or performance and use the relevant marking criteria to consider the marks you would award. If you are logged in, you can select your result, compare them with the examiner’s comments to explore the thinking behind their decisions.
With so many examples available, try exploring different exam types, grades and instruments to see how the marking criteria are applied across a wide range of performances and assessments.