Is My Child Ready for a Music Exam?
A guide for parents navigating exams with confidence and clarity
At Music Makers Academy, one of the most common questions we hear from parents is:
"How do I know if my child is ready to take a music exam?"
It’s a great question — and an important one. Music exams can be a valuable milestone in a student’s learning journey, but they’re not a decision to take lightly. The key is not just if your child should sit an exam, but when the timing is truly right.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through what music exams are really for, how to know if your child is ready, and how we help families make this decision with confidence.
What Music Exams Are Really For
Exams — whether through AMEB, ABRSM, or another system — are not just about achieving a grade. At their best, they provide:
A structured goal that encourages focus and progress
A sense of accomplishment through hard work and achievement
Valuable performance experience that builds confidence
But here’s the important part:
Exams aren’t essential for every student, and not every student needs to take one every year.
The better question to ask is:
“Is this the right time for my child to sit an exam?”
Signs Your Child Might Be Ready
There’s no magic formula, but there are a few clear indicators that your child may be ready to take on the challenge:
1. They’re Meeting Technical Benchmarks
Your child’s pieces, scales, and exercises align with the exam syllabus. They may not be perfect, but they are playing with consistency and control.
2. They’re Comfortable Performing
Whether in a concert or a small studio class, they’ve experienced performing in front of others without freezing or needing constant prompts.
3. They’re Internally Motivated
They practise regularly, know what they’re working on, and show a clear desire to improve. You’re not constantly reminding them — they’re showing initiative.
4. They Can Take and Apply Feedback
They’re open to corrections and can begin to self-correct during practice. This is a key skill in the preparation phase of exams.
5. They Have the Time and Capacity
Between school, activities, and family life, preparing for an exam should fit in — not fight for space. Music exams require consistency and focus over several months.
6. They’re Developing Strong Reading Skills
If they’re in the early stages of music learning, they need to have a solid foundation in reading music confidently and fluently.
Signs They Might Not Be Ready (Yet)
It’s just as important to know when to pause or wait. Some signs your child might not be ready include:
Ongoing struggles with posture, technique, or note reading
Frequent resistance to practising or attending lessons
Feeling nervous or overwhelmed about performing
Wanting to focus on creativity and exploration rather than structured goals
And that’s absolutely okay.
Progress is not linear, and readiness for exams isn’t a race.
How We Support Families Through This Decision
At Music Makers Academy, we believe in development over deadlines. Here’s how we support you:
Informal Readiness Checks: We gently assess students in lessons to gauge whether an exam is appropriate.
Honest Parent Feedback: We look at skills, mindset, maturity, and emotional readiness — not just playing ability.
Alternatives to Exams: We offer concerts, studio recordings, or creative projects as meaningful goals for students who don’t thrive under exam pressure.
We Listen to Your Child: We talk to our students. If they’re excited and motivated to take on a challenge, that’s often the best sign of all.
Final Thoughts
Music exams can be enriching and empowering — when they happen at the right time.
But they’re not the only way to measure progress or find purpose in learning music.
So whether your child is ready now or needs more time, know this:
We’re here to guide your family with care, honesty, and a deep commitment to your child’s growth.
Got questions? Let’s chat.
📩 Send us a message on Instagram @musicmakersacademy or reach out via email to book your spot.
Until next time — keep raising musos,
Eliza 🎶
