Music Exam Preparation
A graded examination is not the point of learning music. But it is an honest measure of where you actually are — and for many students, that clarity is worth having.
Cornucopia is an ABRSM-affiliated academy, and we prepare students for both ABRSM and Trinity College London examinations. Which board suits you depends on how you learn, what you want to play, and what you are working toward.
ABRSM
The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music sets the international standard used in over 90 countries. Its syllabus is structured and thorough: set pieces, scales and arpeggios, sight-reading, and aural tests, with theory required from Grade 6 upward.
Cornucopia is ABRSM-affiliated, and ABRSM forms the backbone of our teaching.
Trinity College London
Trinity offers greater flexibility in repertoire and in how a candidate builds their exam — with more choice over technical work and supporting tests. Students who want a wider stylistic range, or who prefer a less prescriptive route, often find Trinity suits them well.
We prepare students for Trinity practical and theory examinations across our subjects.
Which board is right for you?
There is no better board — only a better fit. In practice:
- ABRSM rewards students who thrive with structure, and is the more widely recognised name in India
- Trinity rewards students who want flexibility in repertoire and exam construction
If you are unsure, we will talk it through with you before you commit. Choosing the wrong board is a slow way to lose motivation, and it is easily avoided.
What preparation involves
- Repertoire selection matched to the student, not the shelf
- Technical work — scales, arpeggios, studies
- Sight-reading and aural training
- Theory, where required by the grade
- Mock examinations before the real thing
Subjects
Exam preparation is available across piano, keyboard, guitar, violin, viola, cello, voice, and music theory — at both centres and online.