Is it illegal to play the 2025-26 abrsm before 1st January?

[Minuethippo]

My child has grade 1 piano exam next week and he’s doing the 2025-26 syllabus and I’ve only realised they can only play this from 01 January 2025 for an exam! I’m surprised this wasn’t picked up sooner! I’m now panicking

Give them a call. Can you still reschedule for free? Definitely could this summer as DS exam was moved to a better location for his teacher.

Yes I’ll give them a call. My son would be super upset if we have to postpone till January! He’s been ready for this for almost two months and I promised it’ll be over before Xmas!

If it's a face-to-face exam you have three options. Ring them and throw yourself on their mercy. Likely they will allow it and let you off with a warning.

Or, cancel exam and rebook for next year (currently I think you will get your money back for the cancellation).

Or cancel and do a recording for a digital performance exam instead. For this option a fourth piece is needed. But you can record now and keep the recording until Jan 1 2025 and then submit it.

BTW the source of my information is the Facebook group: ABRSM Exams. It's an independent group not run by ABRSM, but they are very informative on stuff like this.

Thank you and yes practical exam. I will have to beg the examiner!

The teacher or whoever entered the candidate will just get a stern letter from the bosrd, telling them not to do it again. ( I'm a teacher and my best friend is an examiner for ABRSM. )

Its illegal but the examiner will still mark it and you or whoever made the entry will get a letter afterwards.

Thank you so much- that’s really helpful

Oh phew!! Thank you!

Hi, just thought I’d update. No problem with sitting the exam. No one mentioned or raised it. Kid went in, sat the exam. Results a week later and no stern letter

We had this once. Turns out the piece in question was on both syllabuses.

Congratulations to you child.

Thank you very much