ABRSM
(The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music)

Margaret Liu
Local Representative for Georgia

These ABRSM graded examinations are open to candidates of all ages. Practical examinations are held twice each year. An ABRSM examiner from the United Kingdom will visit our local center for the examintion.

Practical Examination is available for 35 instruments, including piano, voice, organ, strings, woodwinds, brass, harp, saxophone, guitar, percussions, etc. Candidates play 3 pieces (memorization not required), scale and arpeggio requirements, and participate in aural tests and sight-reading. Candidates perform privately before an ABRSM examiner and receive an assessment report, and certificate.

Assessments begin with an introductory Preparatory Test which is followed by the graded examinations. These start with Grade 1 and are numbered progressively in order of difficulty to Grade 8. Beyond Grade 8 are the 3 professional diploma levels - DipABRSM, LRSM and FRSM. Subjects for the diploma program include Performance, Teaching, and Conducting. Grade 1 to 8 written theory examinations are held 3 times each year.

Established in 1889 in the United Kingdom, the ABRSM exams are the most popular assessment program in the world. Currently, 650,000 students in 90 countries test themselves against the Board's internationally recognized standards. There are currently 20 examination centers throughout the U.S.

The ABRSM Exam Center in Georgia was established in the fall of 1996, with the first exam in December of that year. Our Academy Director, Margaret Liu was appointed by ABRSM to the Local Representative post for Georgia USA since April 1997.
Since then, we have over 2,500 students taken the practical exam and over 1,500 students taken the theory written exam. Among these students, the practical subjects taken include piano, piano ensemble, organ, harp, voice, violin, cello, clarinet, flute, saxophone, guitar, and percussions.