“How can we do well in a piano exam?” This is a common question for parents and students. To understand it, it helps first to know what the examiner is actually listening for. ABRSM marking follows a clear set of criteria — an examiner does not mark by impression, but assesses a performance across several defined dimensions. Understanding these criteria helps a student direct their preparation where it counts. Drawing on ABRSM's official marking criteria, this article unpacks what an examiner values when assessing a piece. (Results vary from person to person; this article is to aid understanding of the criteria, not to promise any outcome.)
The Five Marking Dimensions
When assessing a piece at each grade, ABRSM looks mainly at five areas: Pitch, Time, Tone, Shape, and Performance.
Together these make up a complete performance — not just “playing the right notes,” but whether the rhythm is steady, the tone controlled, the phrases breathe, and the character and style of the piece come across. This is why fluency alone does not equal a high mark.
How Are the Marks Distributed?
For a Practical Grade, the exam is marked out of 150. Broadly, a Pass is around 100 marks, a Merit around 120, and a Distinction around 130 (follow the latest official figures).
Each piece is also marked across the dimensions above. A near-top performance is typically: highly accurate pitch, fluent timing with flexibility, tone with depth, and a vivid conveying of the piece's character. Understanding these descriptions helps a student picture what “better playing” looks like.
You Don't Need Full Marks Everywhere
It's worth noting that ABRSM officially states: candidates do not need to meet all the criteria to pass — weakness in some areas is often balanced by stronger achievement in others.
In other words, the exam looks at the overall musical performance, not perfection in a single item. This reminds us that preparation should be all-round and balanced, not fixated on one area. If you'd like to understand which areas your child still has room to improve, a one-to-one piano consultation can review it together.
How Understanding the Criteria Helps Preparation
When a student understands what the examiner is listening for, practice gains direction: rather than repeating the notes, also watch whether the rhythm is steady, the tone controlled, and the phrases breathe. This is exactly what lifts “playing the right notes” into “playing music.”
That said, results are affected by the day's form, practice and understanding, and vary from person to person. Understanding the criteria is to prepare with more direction — not to chase any guarantee.
Further Reading
The Complete ABRSM Grade 8 Piano Guide: New Syllabus Explained
On the Difference Between Piano Exams and Piano Performance Competitions
ABRSM Exam Day: Preparation and Procedure for Parents and Students
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ABRSM piano marking look at?
Mainly five areas: pitch, time (rhythm), tone, shape (phrasing), and overall performance and communication. Together they make a complete performance, not just “playing the right notes.”
Roughly how many marks are Pass, Merit, Distinction?
For a Practical Grade, the exam is out of 150; broadly a Pass is around 100, a Merit around 120, and a Distinction around 130 (follow the latest official figures).
Do you need to do everything perfectly to pass?
No. ABRSM officially states that candidates don't need to meet all the criteria to pass — weakness in some areas can be balanced by stronger achievement in others.
Does understanding the criteria guarantee a high mark?
No guarantee. Understanding the criteria helps you prepare with more direction, but results are affected by the day's form, practice and understanding, and vary from person to person.
Do scales, sight-reading and aural count too?
Yes. Besides the pieces, a Practical Grade also includes scales and arpeggios, sight-reading and aural, each carrying marks. See the Grade 8 guide and related articles for details.
Ms. Kannaz Kwok
30+ years of piano teaching experience. Holder of internationally recognised qualifications from the Royal Academy of Music and Trinity Laban Conservatoire.