Any thoughts on violin prep test ?

[Didiplanthis]

My dd (8) has been playing violin 2 years her teacher seems happy with her progress. She's around grade 1 level may be doing it in the summer but I wondered if I should suggest doing the prep test to her teacher ? She's never done any music exams.

Hi! Your DD sounds like she's going well. Think it's definitely worth considering and discussing with your DD and her teacher.

My DD (7) is also doing Grade 1 violin currently. She did the prep exam last year and it was a great experience for her. It was good to give her something to work at and also to try to perform under test conditions.

I like to give her gentle opportunities to stretch herself and try things so she keeps building confidence and awareness of effort and results.

Good luck!

I wouldn't. The Prep Test is way below Grade 1, and expensive for what it is (not a proper exam, no marks, no pass or fail, and a certificate with comments on that any decent teacher would be able to do themselves). I have used it plenty of times, but not in recent years. It's useful for very young children, wobbly adult beginners and anyone who might take a very long time to reach Grade 1. I much prefer Trinity Initial, which is closer in standard to Grade 1, and a better preparation for real exams. If your daughter is 8, has been learning for two years and is close to Grade 1, she really won't need either. Hope this helps.

LOL, cross post! Well there's a nice contrast of opinions for you to consider.

Thank you ! I'll maybe see what her teacher things but it sounds like we may have missed the boat with it in terms of usefulness. She's done dance exams so is used to performing for an examiner and usually quite likes a test at school - She was most put out when sats finished - she enjoyed them !!

I agree with Waffle, we took prep test for piano and found it rather waste of time and money too. You could do local festival for beginner class for her to have a chance to perform in front of audiences and constructive comments straight after(without waiting). Its cheaper too.

I like the Violin prep test, the exercises are very technically helpful and the pieces fun. You choose an own choice piece from any book. All my students take it! I wouldn't want to use a different exam board for a pre Grade 1 text.