Exam Syllabus – Pianodao

Grade Expectations

Supporting Your Piano Pathway
Written by Andrew Eales

”What grade is this piece?”

Having been a syllabus consultant for three of the top exam boards, compiled several graded anthology publications, and reviewed the main UK grade exam offerings in depth, it’s probably no surprise that I am often asked to comment on the grade level of pieces.

By analysing current and previous repertoire choices set by the boards, we can draw a number of common conclusions about the Grade Expectations underpinning their past and current syllabus selections, but it must be emphasised that as we do so, we quickly discover that considerable variety exists between equally accredited boards, and that standards have notably shifted in recent years.

In this article I will begin by explaining why it is becoming so difficult to assign clear grade levels to pieces. I will then outline the common technical and musical content currently found in the syllabus pieces for each grade level, primarily based on recent ABRSM choices as these remain the widely known and respected, but having also referred to and reviewed the main alternatives.

I will also link to recommendations of suitable music for each grade level, so that those keen to expand their teaching and playing repertoire can explore the wide and wonderful variety of music that is available for today’s players at every level.

ABRSM Prep Test 2025

Educational Resources

Selected and Reviewed by Andrew Eales
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In addition to launching their 2025-26 Piano Exam Syllabus reviewed here, ABRSM have surprised us with an update to their Prep Test content, with a new book to replace their previous (2016) one.

Historically, this was their only Pre-Grade 1 option, which gave future grade exam candidates the opportunity to visit the exam room and play for an examiner in a more friendly, less formal context, and without an assessed pass/fail outcome. But with the introduction of ABRSM’s Initial Grade and video-based assessments, teachers may have wondered whether the Prep Test would be quietly forgotten.

From 2025, the Prep Test retains its existing format in full, and remains exclusively a live music examination, with happy, human connection at its heart.

But in the age of “Performance Grades” and digital diplomas, this first visit to the exam room could now prove to be a learner’s only ever visit. And with the Initial Grade now sharing the Pre-Grade 1 space, we need to consider where the Prep Test now fits in the educational landscape…

ABRSM Piano Syllabus 2025-26

Educational Resources

Selected and Reviewed by Andrew Eales
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Whether or not one takes or teaches the ABRSM grade exams, the biennial release of the board’s new syllabus publications remains an important event in the piano education calendar.

Every two years, their new suite of graded books both offers a barometer of current repertoire trends, and acts as an important influencer for the music that will be played and performed over the next few years. Like them or not, these pieces will regularly appear in concerts, festivals, practice rooms, online, and will be much-discussed by teachers, the subject of many questions and opinions.

The popular interest in this syllabus is always evidenced by the tens of thousands who read my reviews of them on Pianodao. In recent years, I have praised ABRSM for breathing fresh life into their music selections, and in my experience the 2023-24 publications reviewed here have proven especially popular with players.

The new 2025-26 books have now arrived, the updated syllabus coming into effect from January 2025 (for those taking exams, the previous syllabus will also remain valid for a one-year overlap period).

So how will they compare, and can they live up to the very high musical bar ABRSM have been setting in their recent repertoire selections? As usual, I will try to answer that question with sufficient detail and depth, but without getting bogged down in prescriptive pedagogic material about which pieces to pick or how to play them…

Trinity Piano Syllabus 2023

Educational Resources

Selected and Reviewed by Andrew Eales
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The summer months routinely bring a whole new set of piano syllabus publications from one of the major exam boards, and this year it is Trinity College London’s turn.

As ever, I hope my review will explain the most important changes, give readers a first impression of the new publications, and offer some general thoughts on the repertoire selections and direction of travel.

I am going to start by stating that this is a radical update, a riot of invention, but of course that also makes it rather controversial. Questions about whether it offers a comparable and valid educational route are inevitable.

I hope in this review to point towards some answers, based on my perspective as a jobbing piano teacher. So hold on to your hat, and let’s get started!…