Extra time
You will have an extra five minutes added to the exam to use as necessary.
Extra time for Sight-reading
You may use up to three minutes of the extra time to study the Sight-reading test instead of the usual half-minute. You are welcome to indicate that you are ready to play before the three minutes has elapsed, but the examiner will not ask you to play before this time.
Large print tests
ABRSM’s default for large print tests is a 14mm stave on white paper.
Specimen large print tests are available from Allegro Music and their contact details can be found at the end of these guidelines.
Modified print tests
Rather than a straightforward enlargement, ABRSM can make further modifications based on your preferences, for example, larger note-heads and beaming, or a larger font for performance directions.
If you require modified stave notation, you should send a covering letter at the time of entry along with a sample of the notation required. Please include details of all typographical specifications. You can email musical examples written in Sibelius or MuseScore to [email protected]
Please be aware that we can produce papers on either A4 or A3, but you will need to consider how the font and staff size will impact on the paper size needed. Further information on modified stave notation (MSN) is published by the UK Association for Accessible formats (UKAAF) and their contact details can be found at the end of these guidelines.
Sight-reading tests on coloured paper
If you require tests on coloured paper you should indicate this by contacting the access coordinator before the published entry deadline. You will need to post three sheets of the required paper to ABRSM at the time of entry.
Sight-reading tests on separate sheets
If you require tests reproduced on a separate sheet of paper, you should indicate this by contacting the access coordinator before the published entry deadline. You are then welcome to make any notes on the test during the preparation time.
Use of large print or modified scores in exams
You are welcomed to use your own large print or modified print copies in the exam provided you bring the original with you. This provision is made under the Code of Fair Practice published by the MPA, which allows you to make an accessible copy for your own use. No prior permission is required.
Tinted overlays
You are welcome to use a tinted overlay for any part of the exam and no prior permission is required.
Aural repetition in place of Sight-reading
This test may be a more appropriate alternative for some candidates with severe learning difficulties or who learn music by ear rather than notation. If you select this provision on the entry form, we may contact you to confirm it is the most appropriate option.
The aural repetition test consists of a short passage played three times on the piano by the examiner, who will first play and name the key-chord and starting note, and indicate the tempo before asking you to repeat the passage on your instrument. You will be given 15 seconds to try out the test following the second and final playings. You can obtain specimen tests from Allegro Music and their contact details are given at the end of these guidelines.
Organ, Trumpet, Horn and Harpsichord exams
These exams involve either a transposition exercise or a figured bass realisation. The extra time will be split between the Sight-reading and these additional tests.