The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music is the world’s leading provider of music exams and assessments.  Each year over 630,000 candidates take ABRSM exams in more than 90 countries around the world. Established in 1889, the Board now draws on a unique resource: its 120 years of experience and expertise.  Since its establishment, ABRSM has provided music educators, pupils and parents with  exams and assessments that promote consistent standards and carry recognized international authority,  encouraging and motivating performers through the provision of goals and the measurement of progress.  A total commitment to music education lies at the heart of ABRSM work.  The Associated Board has the authority of four of the leading conservatoires in the UK: Royal Academy of Music (London), Royal College of Music (London), Royal Northern College of Music (Manchester), Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (Glasgow).

The Associated Board’s graded exams and assessments are open to all age groups and to all levels of ability.  They are accredited in England by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority and the corresponding regulatory authorities in Wales and Northern Ireland.  They are part of the National Qualifications Framework, and are also recognized formally in a number of other countries. ABRSM  authoritative and internationally recognized syllabuses, requirements, exams, and evaluation criteria are standardized, and therefore uniform for all countries.

ABRSM choose Isidor Bajić Music School, as the most eminent institution for music education in the region,  to be the Local Representative of the Board for South-East Europe.  In such a way, students of Isidor Bajić Music School have been provided with opportunities to take ABRSM exams and assessments in a space they know well – their own school.

ABRSM practical syllabuses are available in over 35 subjects.  Carefully crafted syllabuses, each of which combines an appealing repertoire list alongside a package of elements focusing on developing all-round musicianship, are relevant to a wide range of teachers and accessible through different teaching approaches.

ABRSM offers two types of evaluations – exams and assessments.  The primary difference between the two is:

• Exams – marks are awarded at the end; for Practical Graded Exams, candidates receive Pass, Merit or Distinction, depending on the number of marks given by the examiner; gradings rather than marks are awarded for Ensemble/Choral Singing exams.
• Assessment – no marks are awarded and there is no pass or fail; instead, constructive comments are written by the examiner onto the certificate that each candidate receives at the end of the assessment (Prep Test or Performance Assessment).

All candidates taking graded exams receive a mark form recording the marks awarded for each individual component as well as the total marks obtained.  Practical exam mark forms also record the examiner’s comments on each section.  Certificates are issued to all successful candidates as a record of their achievement.

ABRSM graded exams are available for: Piano, Organ, Guitar, Harp, Harpsichord, Percussion, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Recorder, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone (Alto/Baritone i Soprano/Tenor), Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Cornet (B flat i E flat), Trombone, Bariton, Euphonium, Bass Trombone, Horn, E flat Horn, Tuba (E flat, F, B flat and C), Singing, Ensembles – Chamber Music (2 or more performers), Jazz (preparing candidates for taking exams in Serbia; the exams take place in London), Theory of Music, Practical Musicianship

Exams available are:

• Graded exams – at eight different levels, each level representing a logical step in the musical development process, and roughly corresponding to elementary and secondary education levels in Serbia.
• Diplomas – available for three subject-lines : Music Direction, Music Performance and Instrumental/Vocal Teaching; each subject-line has three different levels of award that roughly correspond to higher education levels in Serbia

Evaluations differ from exams in that marks are not awarded.  Instead, constructive comments are written by the examiner onto the certificate that each candidate receives at the end of the assessment.  There are two types of evaluations offered by the Board:

Prep Test is designed for pupils who have been learning an instrument for about six to nine months. 

Prep test is available for: Piano, Guitar, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Recorder (Descant), Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone, Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Cornet, Trombone, Baritone, Euphonium, Horn, E flat Horn, Singing

Performance Assessment is open to musicians aged 21 or over and to musicians of any age whose specific needs mean they are unable to access graded music exams.

All practical exams take place in front of one or more highly qualified examiners from the Associated Board’s examining panel.  All examiners undergo continuing  professional development, moderation and monitoring. In such a way, individual experience  is combined with comprehensive and rigorous training, both prior to acceptance on to the panel and throughout an examiner’s carrier with the Board. The result is a team of impartial, objective and consistent examiners. Independent research conducted by senior academics shows that Associated Board examining procedures are “highly consistent and reliable”.

Each candidate receives “Libretto” magazine and a set of promotional materials (Syllabus for  a chosen subject, Examination Information and Regulations booklet, etc.). Candidates can obtain both music and other supporting  materials for the Board’s Practical exams from ABRSM Publishing, one of the UK’s leading music publishers.  These materials include albums of selected exam pieces, textbooks on theory, harmony and musical form, scale books and specimen books for the sight-reading and aural tests, theory papers from previous years, various anthologies, including scholarly editions of Baroque, Classical, and Romantic masters, as well as works by contemporary composers (f.e.“Spectrum” – serial of contemporary music), jazz materials, etc.

The Associated Board awards scholarships and prizes (f.e. the “Hedy King Robinson” Award and many International Scholarships for study at the four Royal Schools of Music, which include tuition fees, a grant of £4,500 sterling per year towards living expenses, and the return fare home). The possibility of earning ABRSM certificates and diplomas is an important opportunity for young musicians from our country. Such opportunities enable them to receive recognition of their capabilities beyond the country’s borders.