ABRSM
ABRSM
Please read all the information on this page before entering for your exam.
If you have any queries regarding exams at NMPAT, please contact the NMPAT office: 01604 637117 / office@nmpat.co.uk
Exams are held at the Kettering Road Music and Arts Centre in Northampton. The dates below apply to candidates entered by NMPAT teachers only (in the Private Entry) and will differ from the publicised dates on the ABRSM website, for public centres. These are exam periods – exams will not necessarily be available every day, depending on demand.
Autumn term 2025:
- Monday 24th – Wednesday 26th November
Music exams are held between 9.00am and 4.00pm on weekdays. Appointment times will be emailed from the NMPAT Office. Please note that it is very unlikely that we will be able to manage requests for changes of time.
Your child’s teacher will give you a letter when your child is ready to take their exam. Please refer to this when completing the exam entry form; you will need the information contained within the letter.
Payment for all exams is due on submission of the entry form. You will be prompted to make your payment via the ParentPay Shop – the link will be on the confirmation message which will appear on your screen after you have pressed ‘submit’.
To apply for an ABRSM exam via NMPAT, please click here to submit your details on this form. We will upload to ABRSM
Exam entries must be made by Friday 17th October.
For exams entered through an NMPAT teacher, NMPAT are able to provide an accompanist for your exam, where needed. All piano accompaniment books and music must be brought to the examination room by the candidate – these are not provided by NMPAT.
Grades 1 to 5 – £15.00
For accompaniment in the examination and a short warm up / run through immediately before the exam
Grades 6 to 8 – £30.00
For accompaniment in the examination, a 20 min pre rehearsal and a short warm up / run through immediately before the exam. Please note that additional rehearsals for higher grade examinations will often be arranged at short notice and it may not be possible to rearrange these.
Payment for your accompanist should be made at the point of entry – please make sure you choose the correct option on the ParentPay Shop.
Where elements of an exam are to be accompanied by CD or MP3, particularly for Jazz exams, the candidate must bring an original copy of the CD to the examination.
You will be met at the exam room by a steward who is responsible for the smooth running of the day. Please aim to arrive at least 20 mins before your appointment. There will be an opportunity for you to warm up before the exam, once the previous candidate has gone to the exam room. This will also be your opportunity to meet your accompanist, if applicable.
The steward will take you to the exam room and introduce you to the examiner. Each examiner will have a slightly different approach with their intention being to help you perform to the best of your ability.
Please allow plenty of time to arrive for your exam, this helps you to keep as calm as possible. If you encounter unexpected delays, please do not panic – ring the NMPAT Office on 01604 637117 to let us know – we can liaise with the steward and the examiner, and adjust the timings wherever possible.
To avoid additional stress on the day, please be sure to bring everything you need. This will probably include:
- Your instrument (including keyboards)
- All music including piano accompaniments
- Essential maintenance equipment (valve oil, spare strings, etc.)
- Photographic ID for grade 6 exams and over
Results will be distributed via your ABRSM account, usually the week after the exams.
Certificates will be circulated via your teacher a few weeks later.
If illness or injury prevents you from taking the exam, please contact the NMPAT office as soon as possible: 01604 637117 / office@nmpat.co.uk
Is ABRSM the correct board for you?
If you’re not sure which exam board to enter with, please refer to the letter from your NMPAT teacher or ask them in your next lesson.
