ABRSM Grade 1 piano: what the exam asks for

Updated 2026-11-14

ABRSM Grade 1 piano is the first numbered grade from the British exam board ABRSM. The student plays three pieces, plays scales and arpeggios from memory, reads a short piece at sight, and takes four short listening tests. This page explains each part.

Quick facts


Pieces	3, one from each of Lists A, B, and C
Other parts	Scales and arpeggios, sight-reading, aural tests
Length of the exam	About 12 minutes
Marks	Out of 150
Pass	100
Merit	120
Distinction	130
Age rule	None
Grade needed first	None

ABRSM also has an Initial Grade below Grade 1. A student does not have to take it first.

How the marks are split

Part	Marks
Three pieces, 30 marks each	90
Scales and arpeggios	21
Sight-reading	21
Aural tests	18
Total	150

For the whole system, read ABRSM grades explained for parents.

The three pieces

The student picks one piece from each list.

List	Kind of piece
List A	Faster pieces that call for nimble fingers
List B	Song-like pieces that call for expression
List C	Pieces from a wide range of styles and traditions

The book. ABRSM publishes a book called Piano Exam Pieces for each grade. It holds nine pieces from the syllabus. The syllabus lists more pieces from other books.

A duet is allowed. From the Initial Grade to Grade 3, one of the three pieces may be a duet. The student brings the duet partner, who may be the teacher. The examiner does not play the other part, and a recording is not allowed.

Memory is optional. A student may play from memory. It earns no extra marks. A copy of the music still has to be in the room for the examiner.

Two syllabuses are in use. The 2027 and 2028 syllabus can be used from January 1, 2027. The 2025 and 2026 syllabus stays valid until December 31, 2027. The new Grade 1 list includes “The Voyager” by Santosh Baynes and a piece by Beethoven. Read ABRSM piano syllabus 2027 and 2028: what changed.

Scales and arpeggios

The student plays these from memory, in smooth and even notes.

Pattern	Keys	How it is played
Scales	C, G, and F major	One octave, hands together
Scales	A minor and D minor	Two octaves, hands separately
Contrary-motion scale	C major	One octave, hands start on the same note and move apart
Arpeggios	G major and A minor	One octave, hands separately

For the minor scales, the student chooses the form: natural, harmonic, or melodic. These requirements carried over unchanged into the 2027 and 2028 syllabus.

For the terms, read major and minor scales explained for kids.

Sight-reading

The examiner gives the student a short piece the student has not seen. The student gets half a minute to look at it and try it out. Then the student plays it.

At Grade 1, each hand stays in one five-finger position. The piece may have slurs, accents, and changes from loud to soft.

Aural tests

Aural tests are listening tests. The examiner plays the piano and the student answers. Grade 1 has four.

Test	What the student does
A	Claps the beat of a piece, then says whether it is in two time or three time
B	Sings back three short phrases as echoes
C	Hears a phrase twice with one note changed, and says whether the change came near the start or near the end
D	Answers questions about the piece, such as loud or quiet and smooth or detached

How to practice at home

Play the three pieces as a concert. Once a week, your child walks in, bows, and plays all three without stopping. The exam asks for one clean run, not the best of five tries.

Rotate the scales. There are eight patterns. Play four one day and four the next. Use the metronome for kids at a slow, steady beat.

Read one new line each day. Sight-reading grows with daily use. Any easy book works. Tell your child to keep going after a wrong note.

Do the aural tests in the car. Clap along to a song and ask, “Is this in two or in three?” Sing a short phrase and have your child sing it back.

Name the notes fast. Use the note name trainer for five minutes a day.

Count down. Print the exam countdown chart for the last six weeks.

The hours ABRSM expects

ABRSM gives each grade an estimate of study time. For Grade 1, it lists 12 hours with a teacher and 60 hours in total. Read piano levels by age.

Practical Grade or Performance Grade

This page covers the Practical Grade, which is taken in person with an examiner. ABRSM also offers a Performance Grade, recorded on video, with four pieces and no scales or tests. Read ABRSM Practical vs Performance Grades.