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.
In Queensland, candidates can enrol in a number of exams types from the following instrument groups:
- Piano
- 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, singing for leisure and musical theatre.
Candidates can also undertake ensemble performance examinations, available for string, woodwind, brass, percussion or other mixed ensembles.
The current AMEB
Manual of Syllabuses (MoS) provides guidance for all music and Speech and Drama syllabi. The MoS should be read in conjunction with the AMEB Qld
Enrollers Handbook for your complete guide to undertaking practical and theory exams in Queensland.
The current AMEB MoS is available to purchase in-store from our Ashgrove State Office or online through the
AMEB Qld Shop.
Comprehensive examinations
A comprehensive exam consists of technical work (scales and exercises), studies and pieces and, depending on the level and syllabus requirements, aural tests, sight-reading and general knowledge.
Within the 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.
For Leisure examinations
AMEB's 'For Leisure' syllabuses is available in piano, saxophone and singing and caters 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.
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 is required to pass any grade or the Certificate of Performance.
Repertoire examinations
AMEB offers repertoire examinations for all syllabuses excluding band and ensemble performance.
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.
For Leisure Repertoire examinations
AMEB's 'For Leisure' Repertoire syllabuses is only available in piano, saxophone and singing.
In a For Leisure Repertoire exam, a candidate is required to perform a total of 4 works, 2 list pieces and 2 own choice.
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.
No additional theory is required to pass any grade or the Certificate of Performance.
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.
Speech and Drama exams
Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) Qld offers graded practical and online theory 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, 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
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 current AMEB Speech and Drama Manual of Syllabuses are available to purchase online from the
AMEB website.
Online theory examinations
Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) offers graded online and written examinations covering the theoretical aspects of music.
Online examinations and courses for all theory syllabuses are available from the
AMEB Online Learning and Exam Centre.
When an online theory examination is purchased, the candidate will be issued with an Exam Key and Exam PIN, unique codes which, together, give access to practice and official exams. Please note, the Exam Key expires 12 months after purchase. Extensions of 30 days may be purchased through the Online Learning and Exams website.
Student workbooks are available to assist candidates in preparing for their examinations from the AMEB Qld Shop. Teacher guides for Music Craft are also available.
A summary of online theory offered is outlined as follows:
Theory of Music – Grade 1 to Grade 6
- Focuses on the creative aspects of Music Theory and has no aural component.
Music Craft – Preliminary to Grade 6
- Includes both written and aural components throughout the syllabus.
- Grade 5 and 6 available in paper-based format on application through AMEB Ltd.
- Provides an alternative way of teaching theoretical and aural aspects of music in each grade.
Musicianship – Grade 1 to Grade 6
- Examinations introduce an aural component from Grade 4.
- The syllabuses for Theory of Music and Musicianship are similar from Preliminary to Grade 4.
For more information on online theory, visit the AMEB
frequently asked questions page.
Diploma theory examinations
Teaching, Musicianship and Theory of Music Diploma written exams are available on application. Contact the AMEB Qld office at
enquiries.ameb@qed.qld.gov.au to enrol.
A summary of diploma theory offered is outlined below.
Theory of Music
Associate and Licentiate Diploma (diplomas are available in musicology, harmony and counterpoint, and orchestration and arrangement).
Musicianship
Associate and Licentiate Diploma.
Video repertoire exams
In addition to face-to-face examinations, AMEB Qld also offers examinations by video recording in the following syllabuses:
- Repertoire
- For Leisure Repertoire (Piano, Singing, Saxophone only)
There are 2 sessions designated for Video Repertoire Examination (VRE) enrolments—Sessions 74 and 78. View the current
examination calendar for session close and submission dates.
No late enrolments will be accepted for VRE.
Teachers must prepare the candidates in accordance with AMEB’s Repertoire and For Leisure Repertoire syllabus requirements found in the current Manual of Syllabuses.
To submit a VRE, candidates will need to:
- record the performance in one take (no breaks) with a good quality recording device
- upload the performance video to YouTube (see
guide to recording and uploading video examinations instructions)
- complete the video submission web form.
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 a face-to-face examination and in accordance with the objectives and grading descriptors listed in the 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 candidate's video examination. The Guide to recording and uploading video examinations and instructions is intended as compulsory reading prior to undertaking the video examination.