Assessment in Music

Subject: Music
Level: Secondary
Age Group: 14-16
Order Number: 11067

This publication aims to steer classroom music teachers through the task of assessing the work of their students in preparation for examinations in music.

It tries to use plain language to convey clearly levels of difficulty as opposed to levels of achievement, in what must certainly be one of the most complex tasks that a music teacher may have to do in the day to day work.

When we are considering the work of an individual student, we want to be sure that the assessment given is both true to the examination guidelines and fair to the student.

In addition to these two aspects of the task, we have to consider the matter of how demanding the task is, of itself, and also how well this task has been carried out.

The language used in this publication does not seek to use phraseology used by any one examining body in particular, but it is hoped that the overall slant of the wording will make it clear to the teacher so that it can be easily related to the requirements of the various awarding bodies.

The only comparison of levels is made in relation to the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) Grades, as these are a national and international yardstick known well by most teachers of music.

In addition to looking at levels of difficulty and levels of achievement for examination purposes, this publication also offers helpful information and resources for use in the day to day work.