ABRSM Theory Exam Results

[doglover]

My dds took their grade 5 theory exam today. Any idea how long it takes for the results to come out?

[1805]

around 2 or 3 weeks usually. Good luck!

[doglover]

Thanks! I'll let them know!

[Gunznroses]

OP how long had your dds been doing music theory to get to grade 5? just curious because ds2 just started theory. Goodluck to you dds.

[settledandsmug]

Theory results take a minimum of 4 weeks, it's only practicals that are quicker than that.

[janinlondon]

The results from the November 6 theory exams last year were published online exactly four weeks later. HTH - and fingers crossed for passes!

[KingscoteStaff]

What did your DD think? My DS came bounding out early very positively so now of course I am convinced he missed out a whole page or something....

[Gunznroses]

Can anyone please tell me how long it took their child to get to grade 5 theory please? Does it take as long as instruments or is it shorter, also did they sit every single grade?

[Abra1d]

My daughter took hers in year 7, aged about 12. She had been studying theory for about four years but didn't take all the exams, just 1,2 and 3. She could probably have done it more quickly but there were other things she wanted to do with her time. I think an older child could whizz through the theory pretty quickly.

[BeckAndCall]

Gunz, two of mine did their grade 5 theory after about 10 half hour lessons over one term. As I recall, they used the Eric Taylor workbooks and went through probably just grade 3 and 4 before going into the grade 5 book. In both cases, with a professional teacher ( brought in specially for this by their schools). And they'd both have been about 12 or 13 at the time and grade 5 practical on their instruments. hTH

[KingscoteStaff]

My DS 12 has done no theory at all, but needed to do it to take his Grade 6 cello next term. 1 term of half hour lessons, the brilliant Dorothy Dingle work book and about 1 hour a week with me (working at his level, having not done it since I was 12).

However, don't know if he passed, yet...

[Gunznroses]

Thank you all. Seems like its a lot quicker than instruments with regular work. I feel more hopeful now!

[ShadowOfTheDay]

mine is ramping up on theory now as she is doing her grade 4 practical and has not really done much actual theory up to now....

has done 1 and 2 with her piano teacher setting past papers in exam conditions currently working on 3 - it is taking her around 2 months per grade to learn thoroughly - (90-100%) on the past papers with a teacher who is very strict on neatness and composing 4 bar rhythms.

she will not sit an actual exam until grade 5.... and only then because she will need it to progress up the practical grades

[Eastpoint]

My DC took 2 terms of one hour lessons once a week. She found it quite hard as she has never played the piano & plays a single clef instrument. Luckily she did pass but only just

[janinlondon]

DD did a course for a week with the Guildhall in London. No other grades even looked at. Just straight in at grade 5.

[settledandsmug]

I teach theory and the rate of learning really depends on the student. There is often a relationship between ability at maths and success in theory. However, I have had students who have not found maths easy and yet struggled with theory, and also students who excel at maths and yet struggle, but, in general, if a child/adult is quick at picking up maths concepts they are likely to be quick at picking up theory concepts. I find it takes between two terms (1/2 hr a week) and two years of lessons to successfully take a student through Grade 5 theory from scratch (with them having instrumental lessons). It's really important that a student has the opportunity to try practise papers - books of 4 can be bought from any good music shop. I find that if a student works through at least one book, having previously gone through a workbook, it really, really helps.

[circular]

DD1 did a weeks residential course, she was 14 at the time. Age range from 8 to 17. No previous theory lessons, although had gone through grade 1 and 2 work books. Assessed as grade 2/3 at start, grade 5 at end.

There was 3 months between course and exam, no further tuition, just did a past paper a day during half term week.
Got a distinction.
She does play both treble and bass clef instruments, as well as piano. And quite good at maths.

[doglover]

Sorry, I'm the OP and have only just returned to the thread! My dds came out of the exam saying it was "ok" ............... typical teenagers! They're both playing beyond grade 5 on their respective instruments and need to get their grade 5 theory to continue with their practical ABRSM exams. They've had some theory lessons at school and a few lessons with their music teachers instead of 'playing' lessons.

Neither particularly enjoy theory and both dislike maths .................. so desperately hope they've got enough marks to pass!!

[doglover]

I forgot to mention that I also bought several past papers from ebay which they worked through prior to the exam.

[doglover]

Had results yesterday. Both dds got a merit! All delighted!

[Gunznroses]

Fantastic news! congratulations.

[KingscoteStaff]

DS got 79% - 'I only needed a pass - I could have come out 10 minutes earlier!'.....

[JaneinReading]

As a child we did a theory grade a year about the same time as our piano grade 1, grade 2 etc etc and that was fine. My youngest children to whom I taught theory did an exam a term as I wanted them to have exam practice so they did grade 1 summer, 2 Christmas, 3 Easter, then the grade 4 book over the summer and then grade 5 at the following Christmas (which one failed and then redid the next term as passed). The older children I think just did grade 5 with a lot of intensive practice but that was 10 years ago so I've forgotten how long that took. It is certainly not easy for many children.

Well done to those who passed. As others are saying we also got the workbooks, went through those and near the exam did quite a lot of past papers.