Changes to Recorded Exam mark distributions from 1 September 2026

Following a recent review, we are updating the mark distributions for several of our Digital Recorded Exams. Any exam submitted from 00:00 (midnight) UK time on 1 September 2026 will be marked using the new mark schemes.

There are no changes to the content, assessment components, technical requirements or exam structure. The only change is how marks are shared out across the different parts of the exam, for the subjects listed below.

Why are we making this change?

  • The new balance gives more weight to performance, which is the main focus of these exams, while keeping the supporting parts in proportion.
  • It helps ensure our qualifications and assessments remain reliable and valid, from both a practical and a regulatory standpoint.

What mark distributions are changing?

Each exam is divided into parts, and each part is worth a number of marks. The figures below show how the marks are shared across those parts, under both the current and the new scheme.

For example, a new scheme shown as 15 / 25 / 25 / 25 / 10 means: 

  • Technical Work is worth 15 marks
  • Piece 1 is worth 25 marks
  • Piece 2 is worth 25 marks
  • Piece 3 is worth 25 marks
  • Discussion is worth 10 marks
  • Total of 100 marks available

The parts vary slightly between subjects, so some exams have four figures rather than five. The order always follows the structure of that subject’s exam. The first table below covers our standard graded Recorded Exams and the second covers Recorded Recital Exams.

Recorded Exams (Graded)

Subject Current mark scheme New mark scheme
Brass 20 / 20 / 20 / 20 / 20 15 / 25 / 25 / 25 / 10
Classical Guitar 20 / 20 / 20 / 20 / 20 15 / 25 / 25 / 25 / 10
Percussion 20 / 20 / 20 / 20 / 20 15 / 25 / 25 / 25 / 10
Piano 20 / 20 / 20 / 20 / 20 15 / 25 / 25 / 25 / 10
Classical Singing 20 / 20 / 20 / 20 / 20 15 / 25 / 25 / 25 / 10
Strings & Harp 20 / 20 / 20 / 20 / 20 15 / 25 / 25 / 25 / 10
Woodwind 20 / 20 / 20 / 20 / 20 15 / 25 / 25 / 25 / 10
Ukulele (Grades 1–5) 20 / 20 / 20 / 20 / 20 25 / 25 / 25 / 15 / 10
Ukulele (Grades 6–8) 40 / 20 / 20 / 20 50 / 25 / 15 / 10
Electric Guitar 20 / 30 / 30 / 20 20 / 35 / 35 / 10
Pop Vocals 20 / 30 / 30 / 20 20 / 35 / 35 / 10
 

Recorded Recital Exams

New recital scheme applies when discussion is selected.

Subject Current recital scheme New recital scheme
(discussion selected)
Brass 20 / 20 / 20 / 20 / 20 22 / 22 / 22 / 22 / 12
Classical Guitar 20 / 20 / 20 / 20 / 20 22 / 22 / 22 / 22 / 12
Percussion 20 / 20 / 20 / 20 / 20 22 / 22 / 22 / 22 / 12
Piano 20 / 20 / 20 / 20 / 20 22 / 22 / 22 / 22 / 12
Classical Singing 20 / 20 / 20 / 20 / 20 22 / 22 / 22 / 22 / 12
Pop Vocals 20 / 20 / 20 / 20 / 20 22 / 22 / 22 / 22 / 12
Strings & Harp 20 / 20 / 20 / 20 / 20 22 / 22 / 22 / 22 / 12
Woodwind 20 / 20 / 20 / 20 / 20 22 / 22 / 22 / 22 / 12
 
There is no overlap between the old and new schemes: exams submitted before midnight UK time on 1 September 2026 will be marked using the current schemes, and exams submitted from that point onwards will be marked using the new ones. 

Extra support and FAQs

We have put together a list of frequently asked questions (PDF) to help you understand what this change means to you.

If you have any further questions or require assistance, please contact us.

Back To News