Assessment appeals

ABRSM aims to ensure that every candidate is given a warm, welcoming and positive exam experience. Our examiners’ maxim is “I’ll do my best to help you do your best”, which guides and drives all aspects of ABRSM examining practice.

Naturally, we hope that candidates and applicants will have no cause to complain about the quality of ABRSM’s exam service or ABRSM exam results, though we realise and acknowledge that there may be times when this is not the case. 

Accordingly, ABRSM has teams and staff members within the Chief Examiner’s and Global Operations department who are dedicated to dealing with enquiries, complaints or appeals relating to ABRSM's exam delivery and assessment or venue-related concerns. 

However, there is no objective, quantifiable means by which ABRSM can amend Practical exam marks once an assessment has been finalised, as the primary evidence upon which the assessment is based is live musical performance. 

ABRSM invests significantly in the training and ongoing professional support and monitoring of its team of both examiners and wider representatives, in order to ensure that candidates receive an efficient, accurate, friendly and positive exam experience. 

As the UK’s largest music education body, with more than 125 years as an awarding body in the field of musical assessment, ABRSM has deep expertise and experience in this field.

Assessment appeals policies 

• ABRSM Marking appeals policy (PDF)
• Guidelines for Practical Grade feedback (PDF)
• Guidelines for Performance Grade feedback (PDF)

Reasonable adjustments and special consideration appeals

We do all we can to ensure that candidates are provided with appropriate access arrangements and special considerations where they meet the requirements set out in our policies, so that exams taken are the most accurate reflection of their skills, knowledge and understanding.

If, however, you are unsatisfied with the outcome of an application for access arrangements or special consideration, then you can appeal this decision. Appeals must be received in writing within 14 days of receipt of the decision stating the grounds for your appeal and providing any supporting evidence. Appeals should be submitted using the contact form and any supplementary evidence should be sent to [email protected].

The appeal will be reviewed by a senior colleague who was not involved in the original decision. As part of the appeal, ABRSM will review all available evidence, including the information submitted by you. You should expect to receive an outcome within three weeks of submitting the appeal.

Malpractice and maladministration appeals

The integrity of the examinations we conduct and the qualifications we award is paramount. We therefore take any form of malpractice very seriously. We will issue penalties or sanctions where appropriate. 

If, however, you wish to appeal a malpractice penalty or sanction, you can appeal this decision. Appeals must be submitted in writing within 14 days of receipt of the decision, stating the grounds for your appeal and providing any supporting evidence. Appeals should be submitted using the contact form and any supplementary evidence sent to [email protected].

The appeal will be reviewed by a senior colleague who was not involved in the original decision. As part of the appeal, ABRSM will review all available evidence, including the information submitted by you. You should expect to receive an outcome within three weeks of submitting the appeal.

Positive feedback

We love to hear about your positive exam day experiences. We pass on your feedback to examiners, stewards and invigilators wherever possible. Please let us know about anything they did that made a positive difference on your exam day.