Types of exams

Music exams

Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) Qld offers graded practical and written examinations in Music. The AMEB Syllabus is one of the most widely used Music curricula in Australia.

Assessing students from Preliminary to Diploma levels (and from P Plate Piano to Diploma level for piano), candidates can enrol in exams on a vast array instruments from the following families:

• Keyboard—including piano, organ and accordion
• Strings—including violin, viola, cello, double bass, classical guitar and harp
• Woodwind—including recorder, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and saxophone
• Orchestral Brass—including horn, trumpet, trombone, bass trombone, tuba and euphonium
• Percussion
• Band—including Concert Band and Brass Band—Bb, Eb and C instruments
• Voice—including singing and musical theatre.

Candidates can also undertake ensemble performance examinations, available for string, woodwind, brass, percussion or other mixed ensembles.

AMEB Qld offers Theory examinations in Music Craft, Theory of Music and Musicianship as well.

The 2020 AMEB Manual of Syllabuses for all music syllabuses, and the Speech and Drama Syllabuses will be your complete guide to taking AMEB practical or written exams in music, speech or drama in 2020.

The detailed collection of music syllabuses outlines the requirements for taking exams at all grade and diploma levels including the syllabus objectives, repertoire options, technical work and additional requirements.

The 2020 AMEB Manual of Syllabuses are available to purchase in-store from our State Office in Ashgrove or through our shop.

Comprehensive examinations

Since 2019, the traditional exam that will be familiar to most teachers and candidates will become known as the 'comprehensive' exam.

A comprehensive exam consists of technical work, studies and pieces and, depending on the level and syllabus requirements, aural tests, sight-reading and general knowledge.

Within the new Piano Syllabus (only), candidates can undertake a comprehensive 'collaborative' examination. The collaborative option allows candidates to demonstrate ensemble skills by presenting works with an associate artist as part of the repertoire requirements for the grade. Please refer to the full 2020 Manual of Syllabuses for more information and full syllabus requirements.

For leisure examinations

AMEB's 'For leisure' syllabuses—available in piano, saxophone and singing—cater to a variety of musical tastes and interests.

These syllabuses are designed for all ages and explore popular repertoire including well-loved standards from the classics, jazz standards, arrangements of movie themes, popular songs and concert arrangements. The singing for leisure syllabus includes folk songs, songs from musical theatre and film, and popular contemporary songs.

The for leisure syllabuses differ from the comprehensive syllabuses in the technical work requirements, and candidates are given the choice between aural tests and sight reading. Further, no additional Theory of Music, Musicianship or Music Craft examination is required to pass any grade or the Certificate of Performance.

Please refer to the full 2020 Manual of Syllabuses for more information and full syllabus requirements.

Repertoire examinations

AMEB is now offering repertoire examinations for all syllabuses excluding for leisure, band, ensemble performance and contemporary popular music (CPM).

In repertoire exams, only pieces are heard:

• 4 pieces (3 list and 1 own choice) for Level 1 examinations
• 5 pieces (3 list and 2 own choice) for Level 2 examinations.

While technical work is still important and relevant for exam preparation, repertoire exams allow candidates to focus on their technique through repertoire and have the flexibility to choose a range of repertoire styles, including own choice works.

Similar to comprehensive exams, repertoire exam candidates must still achieve a pass grade in particular grades of musicianship, theory of music or music craft (or equivalents) in order to complete the requirements for practical examinations at Grade 6, 7 and 8 to receive their certificate.

Please refer to the full 2020 Manual of Syllabuses for more information and full syllabus requirements.

Ensemble Performance examinations

The Ensemble Performance Syllabuses enable ensembles to be examined and focus on works for instruments in the specified family; however, works presented under each subject may include other instruments, for example, Piano, Guitar, Harp and Percussion.

Similar to other syllabuses, these syllabuses are broken down into 3 levels of Grades 1–Diploma.

Please refer to the full 2020 Manual of Syllabuses for more information and full syllabus requirements.

Speech and Drama exams

Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) Qld offers graded practical and written examinations in Speech and Drama, with the AMEB Syllabus being one of the most widely used Speech and Drama curricula in Australia.

Assessing students from Preliminary to Diploma levels, candidates can study Voice and Communication, Speech and Performance (formerly Drama and Performance), Drama and Communication, and Speech and Performance Theory.

Voice and Communication

Voice and Communication exams are designed to develop voice and communication skills both for everyday life and the professional sector, and exams are offered from Preliminary grade to associate. The exams are designed to develop confidence in communications:

• the skills to read effectively
• speak with clarity
• make presentations to a variety of audiences.

Speech pre-exam

'Pre-exams' are also offered in speech and communication. Often, a young, inexperienced or enthusiastic student wants to do an exam but does not have the requisite maturity and skills. The pre-exam offers candidates—individually or in a small group (2–3 people)—the opportunity to experience the examination situation in an enjoyable and non-graded environment.

Speech and Performance (formerly Drama and Performance)

Speech and Performance exams are designed to develop interpretative and performance skills across a broad spectrum of styles, genres and eras, and are offered from Preliminary to Licentiate Diploma level. Candidates will achieve secure vocal technique, integrated physical response and imaginative and insightful presentation of texts. They will develop the skills required for interpreting to audiences in a variety of performance spaces.

Drama and Communication

The Drama and Communication Syllabus offers a series of examinations in the area of performing arts. The exams are especially designed for a wide range of drama and speech learning environments and provide for creative flexibility within these contexts. The syllabus should appeal to both classroom Drama teachers and Speech and Drama teachers working in a private studio.

It is a multi-optional syllabus and candidates may present for examination:

• in one large class group in which sub groups could work together to flesh out the focus and performance for the chosen grade—these students would present one examination lasting 30 minutes (or more according to level)
• in pairs (duo)
• as individual candidates.

Speech and Performance Theory

Speech and Performance Theory exams are an opportunity for candidates to show their understanding of the functional framework of speech and performance, and are offered from 1st grade to 7th grade. The exams are designed to have relevance for a wide range of candidates, focusing on progressive consolidation of knowledge relating to dramatic performance, oral interpretation and spoken interaction in a variety of communication situations.

For more information on any of the Speech and Drama Syllabuses, please refer to the current 2020 Speech and Drama Manual of Syllabuses or contact the AMEB Qld state office on (07) 3634 0933.

The 2020 AMEB Speech and Drama Manual of Syllabuses are available to purchase in-store from our State Office in Ashgrove or through our shop.

If you are looking to enrol in a Speech and Drama exam, or are a current candidate, the following documents are available for download:

• AMEB Qld enrolment form (PDF, 371KB)
• Speech and Drama Syllabuses schedule of fees (PDF, 204KB)

Theory exams

Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) Qld offers graded online and written examinations in Theory.

Three syllabuses are available for examination in the theoretical aspects of music, namely:

• Music Craft: Preliminary to Grade 6, with exams including both written and aural components throughout the syllabus
• Theory of Music: Grade 1 to Grade 6, associate and licentiate diploma (diplomas are available in musicology, harmony and counterpoint, and orchestration and arrangement)
  
• Musicianship: Grade 1 to Grade 6, associate and licentiate diploma, with exams including aural components from Grade 4 onwards.

Candidates may complete certain theory courses and examinations online through the AMEB online learning and exams centre. The online examinations use the same syllabus as the written examination papers. The aural components, if applicable, are administered through the computer's speakers within the exam.

To receive their certificate, practical music examination candidates undertaking Grade 6 or higher will need to attain certain music craft or theory of music or musicianship qualifications.

Further, both the associate and licentiate theory of music and musicianship diplomas require certain practical music examination levels to have been reached.

For the full syllabus requirements, please refer to the Manual of Syllabuses or visit the AMEB online learning and exams centre.

More information about speech and performance theory can be found on the 'Speech and Drama exams' tab.

Video exams 2020

AMEB (Qld) has fast-tracked the development of video examinations for candidates wishing to pursue their musical journey through the current COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020, AMEB Repertoire Examinations will be offered as video examinations in response to physical distancing and home confinement guidelines. During 2020, a candidate who cannot undertake an in-situ examination due to the above guidelines, will be able to complete a Repertoire or For Leisure (Repertoire) examination by video as an alternative.

Teachers should prepare the candidate for the particular Repertoire or For Leisure (Repertoire) 2020 only examination in accordance with AMEB’s syllabus requirements. The 'For Leisure' Repertoire examination requirements for Piano (PDF, 86KB), Saxophone (PDF, 92KB) and Singing (PDF, 92KB) can be accessed from the provided links.

The Video Repertoire Examination syllabus requirements are the same as an in-situ Repertoire examination syllabus requirements. Please refer to the relevant syllabus for the candidate's particular level and grade in the 2019 or 2020 Manual of Syllabuses.

Please note that these video examination requirements may be updated in response to trial feedback and any other advice and directives from state departments’ and other relevant bodies.

To submit a video examination candidates will need to:

1. record the performance in one take (no breaks) with a good quality recording device
2. upload the performance video to YouTube (see Guide to recording and uploading video examinations instructions (PDF, 1MB))
3. complete the Repertoire video examination video submission form and email it to AMEB (Qld) inbox: VideoRepertoireExam.amebqld@qed.qld.gov.au.

A submission form will be issued to the enroller to forward to the candidate. AMEB (Qld) will schedule an examiner to assess the video recording and provide a result in the report, in the same way they would in an in-situ examination in accordance with the objectives and grading descriptors listed in the 2020 Manual of Syllabuses. An AMEB Repertoire or For Leisure (Repertoire) certificate will be issued to each candidate who has successfully completed all the requirements.

The documents below contain resources for enrollers, parents and candidates for setting up and submitting a candidates Video Examination. The Guide to recording and uploading video examinations and instructions is intended as compulsory reading prior to undertaking the Video examination.

• Guide to recording and uploading video examinations instructions (PDF, 1MB)
• Frequently asked questions and answers (PDF, 108KB).

For more information, visit our news and events page, to access key correspondence emailed directly to our enrollers and AMEB (Qld) community during this disrupted time.