AMEB exams
Should I take a music exam? Should I enrol my child in music exams? Do you help students work towards sitting an AMEB music exam?
These are common questions we get asked a lot. Here are our thoughts!
what is ameb?
Find out more about AMEB on the official website here
AMEB stands for the Australian Music Education Board. AMEB has helped generations of performing arts students and teachers to reach their potential over the past century.
AMEB provides creative arts and music students with a system of graded assessments and qualifications in music, which originally launched in 1887.
should i consider taking an exam?
Read more on the official AMEB website here
At Music on Purpose, we believe that not all students should sit exams as preparing to sit an AMEB music exam on top of personal commitments can be challenging and time-consuming (not to mention feeling the pressure that it brings too).
But we also recognise that some students will thrive through preparing for an exam as they need a solid goal, deadline and a healthy amount of pressure to see clear progression.
Music students often take exams at their teacher's advice or as a prerequisite benchmark of their education. We often have parents asking whether it’s worth asking their child to work towards sitting an AMEB exam at all.
The answer to whether you/r child should sit a music exam will really depend on your unique circumstances and you/r child’s personality.
See below for the benefits of working towards sitting an AMEB exam.
what are the benefits of working towards an ameb exam?
Read more on the official AMEB website here
1) sitting an AMEB exam provides a clearly defined goalpost
Preparing for an exam requires a significant amount of planning and hard work. Having clear goals can be a great motivating force. AMEB syllabuses were designed by leading musicians and educators who set realistic and appropriate goals for students to track their progress.
2) AMEB exams provide students opportunities to progressively develop their musical skill
Working towards an AMEB exam means students will receive the challenge to perform a variety of repertoires on their instrument of choice and refine their sight reading, aural recognition and general knowledge. This can support students’ overall music education and shape them into well-rounded, professional musicians.
3) AMEB exams provide students with the opportunity to perform
One of the hardest aspects of taking an AMEB exam is performing your pieces in front of an audience of strangers. Receiving the opportunity to perform in front of the examiners can be a great way for students to develop poise and confidence.
4) after sitting an AMEB exam, students will receive constructive feedback
The independent feedback students receive from their examiner can encourage the student to progress by highlighting areas of strength and weakness under performance conditions to help guide their development.
5) students will receive an official AMEB certificate recognising their achievement
This certificate becomes a tangible reminder of students’ milestone achievement. AMEB qualifications provide a national benchmark and are recognised across Australia and internationally.
It can be incredibly valuable for students to set and achieve goals when working towards an exam as it teaches them the value of hard work, discipline, and self-efficacy.
how does it all work?
Read more on the official AMEB website here
1) set your goal, speaking with your teacher
If you’re new to music, your teacher can help figure out which Grade you would best fit in. Once you know which Grade you’re best suited for, you can choose your curriculum and which exam format you’d like to work through (in person / video).
2) practice and refine your pieces & enrol to take your exam
Once you know which grade best suits you, your teacher should work with you to understand the AMEB curriculum and exam requirements. You should enrol in your exam according to the AMEB guidelines to ensure that you secure your place. There are various intakes throughout the year for students to enrol in taking an AMEB exam - your teacher can help you decide which intake is realistic and best to aim for.
3) sit the exam
After all of the logistics are taken care of, you can sit your exam! Whether it be in person, or virtual, sitting your AMEB exam means you’ll receive valuable feedback on your performances (feedback is immediate if taken in person, and takes 1-2 weeks if you sit the video exams).
4) set your next goal
After receiving your results and taking on the examiner’s constructive criticism, you can work towards sitting the next grade up - and set your next goal to progress even further as a musician.
are you ready to work towards sitting an AMEB exam?
please speak with your teacher at you/r child’s next class and they will be able to help you with the next steps.