The video starts. A student faces the camera and announces their name and the chosen programme. A music stand and piano fill the background and, after the introduction, the student picks up their instrument and moves to the stand. The scores are in place, the performer and the accompanist nod to one another to show that they are both ready.

There is a moment of stillness and silence.

A sense of expectation fills the air and the first notes of the performance are played…

Performance Grades are digital exams that are assessed from a video recording submitted by the candidate. They are specially designed for learners who want to focus on and showcase their performance skills. They run alongside and provide an alternative pathway to our long-standing Practical Grades and allow learners to play to their strengths and interests. The exams are equivalent in demand and value to our Practical Grades - they provide an alternative assessment with a strong focus on performance.

They are available for the following levels and subjects:

  • Initial Grade to Grade 8: Piano, Bowed Strings and Drum Kit.
  • Grade 1 to 8: a wide range of instruments and singing, including Singing for Musical Theatre and Jazz.

Music is made for sharing and performing, and these specially designed exams bring the exam room to you, with the chance to record and upload the performance that best demonstrates your musical performance skills in an environment in which you feel comfortable. Musicians learn to play an instrument to explore and perform repertoire, which is why pieces or songs, and the way they can be combined to create a convincing and sustained performance, are the focus of the exam.

The structure of the exam is simple. It's a performance of four pieces, recorded in one continuous take. Three of the pieces must be chosen from the current Qualification Specification for your instrument, one from each of the lists A, B and C. The fourth piece can be any piece of your own choice, of at least equivalent standard to the grade. We know that people have their favourite pieces, and this gives you the opportunity to play from an even broader range of repertoire, genre and styles if you wish to do so.

ABRSM welcomes the inclusion of candidates’ own compositions, or arrangements, to be performed as their own-choice piece, so long as the technical demand of the composition is broadly the same as repertoire set for the grade being taken.

The criteria used for assessment of the individual pieces is clearly defined and included in all of the Qualfication Specifications. A fifth mark is awarded for the Performance as a Whole. This assesses the overall consistency of the following performance elements through the lenses of communication, interpretation and delivery:

  • Projection and involvement.
  • Performance awareness and control.
  • Stylistic realisation.
  • Awareness and control of textures and ensemble.
  • Technical control and instrument management.

Performance Grades are available at a time to suit you. There are no booking periods or exam sessions so you can choose when to book, record and submit the exam. You can submit your video when you book or at any time during the next 28 days.

We aim to make the exams as accessible and inclusive as we can and our designated Specific Needs team are there to answer any questions regarding access requirements. You may like to watch these videos to find out more about our specific needs policy and how to make a booking for a candidate who has specific needs such as needing extra time for processing.

Other links to:

Sarah Baker is an ABRSM Examiner, musician, conductor, and composer. She composes music for performers of all ages and abilities, and her works are included in ABRSM's one-hand piano syllabus.

Last modified: Friday, 14 August 2026, 2:31 PM