Aural training tips?

[Nc1028]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has tips about how to improve aural skills in abrsm piano practical exams. DD really struggled with grade 4 aural test, especially the rhythmic repetition bit. When working towards grade 5, we spent significant amount of time on aural skills, but she still struggles with both the melodic and rhythmic repetition section.
We’ve got the abrsm aural training book and the specimen book as well as the abrsm aural training app, done everything and she seems to do ok (probably memorised everything by now!). But if I play a random piece of music of similar length/difficulty she still seems to have no clue and I’ve started to feel like reaching for glass of wine when I hear aural training
Any tips on what else we can do to help please?

I'd try to back off from the exam specific preparation. She needs to strengthen her perception of music more generally. Does she sing at all? I would find music she can listen to and dance to and try to sing along with. Put something on and walk around the room, feel the beat, feel the music. Clap along (try a Strauss waltz maybe!). Move to the music, get the music inside her.

Hopefully doing stuff like that will lay and strengthen the foundations on which the specific aural tests can then be practised. I don't think the aural training book on its own will really train what is needed if it hasn't been developed by lots of musical experiences.

Thank you Python
Great tips about general training with music perception. We do play music a lot in the house. She sang in the choir last year (though now cancelled due to Covid). In general she seems to recall music and lyrics very easily but find it hard when asked to repeat in a test.
We will keep on working on playing music and singing and dancing to it, might just need more time to slowly build a more solid foundation as you said!