Grades or Stages?

[Bunch]

Can someone please explain the difference between Grades and Stages? When I was a child and learnt the piano I did RSM Grades, my daughter is currently learning the violin and is doing Stages instead.

Is stages the same thing as medals? My daughter does grades for piano but medals for violin as they are taught in a group so the exam includes an element of group performance with less emphasis on theory, and is graded by her teacher but videod for moderation. Both are awarded by the ABRSM though. Once she's done the platinum grade medal she will go straight into Grade 4.

Thanks momb, that sounds as though it could be right. My daughter isn't sure either and we had a discussion last night on whether Grade One is equivalent to Stage One, I thought it wasn't. The group thing could be the answer though!