Why do you need a pen for a theory exam?

[roisin]

ds2 just uses pencil for all parts of practice papers.

The exam info sheet says bring pencils, etc and a pen.

I'm concerned that if he has a pen, he might accidentally use it for the wrong bits that need to be in pencil.

Can he not just do the whole thing in pencil?

[roisin]

bump

[tibni]

Pen would be needed to fill in the front cover and it has to be black. There may also be a place to sign on the sheet. Instructions will be clearly read before test begins.

[roisin]

ok. Thank you.

[tibni]

and good luck to your ds

[roisin]

thanks

[CURIOUSMIND]

Oh, gosh.
My 8 years old never sit any formal exam before.I am sure he can do theory, but not sure whether he can use a PEN to do the cover!

[CURIOUSMIND]

Didn't they say you will get a sticker to stick on the cover somewhere?(ABRSM)

[roisin]

Yes, he has a sticker to put on the front cover.

[roisin]

He's very laidback about it (grade 5 Theory), but I'm starting to get nervous now.

His teacher says all of his previous students have always got distinctions!

[CURIOUSMIND]

So, a pen is still needed for the cover?
My Ds1 is doing G5 theory too.The neatness requitement is driving me mad alreay, now with a pen.Gosh, this is the hard bit!

[roisin]

I view Gr5 theory as a hurdle to be jumped in order to progress with the practical exams.

It's fairly easy to get a pass, even if there are deficiencies in certain areas or problems with neatness.

[CURIOUSMIND]

Yes, it is fairly easy to get a pass.But, we always aim to work to a secure distinction standard to ensure the total comfortability on the next level .Anyway, we will go for it.

[roisin]

Is he doing it this time?

I agree in principal with the aim for distinction strategy, but not in this case.

The thing is with theory (especially for little ones and students only doing one instrument), you can take a break from theory after Gr5; then do more theory later (if you want to) when you have wider knowledge so less to learn.

There are so many ways to easily/unluckily lose 2 or 3 marks, before you even think about odd marks here and there for neatness, or careless errors.

ds2 knows about 85% of the theory words, but if they happen to ask 2 he doesn't know or can't remember, that's 4 marks gone straight away.

Also he only does piano, voice and organ and has only basic understanding of orchestral instruments. So occasionally he will lose a few marks on his composition "for [say] violin", because he's not conversant with the instrument.

[CURIOUSMIND]

Roisin,My Ds1 is doing it this time.
From the latest past paper he did, he got a merit from teacher .9 marks lost are related to muddled handwriting(mutes ,looks like mutc), unclear note, slightly on the line when it's supposed to be in between,etc, especially the transposition, so many little things clustered (He actually got it right, just look so muddled).
So we are 100% target on neatness see what will happen in 10 days.
The words list is something you can work on.Young children could be very good at this(then write down neatly!)

[roisin]

Excellent! Good luck to him.

[roisin]

I think he's now fine on the grade 5 german words and the grade 4 french words.

Now just need to brush up/revise on the more unusual italian terms.

[CURIOUSMIND]

keep up the good work! Remember to practice the words from the real book get the meaning of two, three words togerther (any book will do ).

[roisin]

great website/app for revising theory words.