Trinity College London runs graded music exams from Initial to Grade 8. Each exam is marked out of 100, and 60 is a pass. In a face-to-face exam the student plays three pieces, plays some technical work, and takes two supporting tests. Trinity also offers digital exams by video. It has no Grade 5 theory rule.
Who Trinity is
Trinity College London is an exam board and an education charity based in London. It began in 1877 as the exam board of Trinity College of Music, and it describes itself as the first music exam board. Trinity says that over 850,000 candidates in more than 60 countries take one of its assessments each year. That count includes its English language and drama exams.
The levels
The exams are numbered from Initial to Grade 8. Initial is an introduction for new performers, and many subjects offer it. After Grade 8 come diplomas, which start with the ATCL.
Trinity’s Classical and Jazz syllabuses cover piano, strings, woodwind, brass, guitar, singing, and more. It also runs Rock and Pop exams.
The face-to-face exam
| Part | Marks |
|---|---|
| Three pieces | 66 |
| Technical work | 14 |
| Two supporting tests | 20 |
| Total | 100 |
Singers at Grades 6 to 8 sing four songs, and the marks shift a little.
The pieces. The student picks three from the lists in the syllabus. Each piece is worth 22 marks. The examiner gives three marks for each one: for fluency and accuracy, for technical skill, and for communication and interpretation.
Memory. In the piano syllabus, playing from memory is the student’s choice. It earns no extra marks.
Technical work. The student prepares from a set of options, such as scales and arpeggios, exercises, or orchestral extracts. The examiner asks for a selection.
Supporting tests. There are four kinds: sight reading, aural, improvisation, and musical knowledge. The student takes two. Which two depends on the grade and on the student’s choice.
A child who dreads sight reading may be able to choose a different test. Ask the teacher what the syllabus allows at your child’s grade.
In some syllabuses a student may play a piece of their own in place of one listed piece. The classical guitar syllabus is one example.
The digital exams
A digital exam is recorded on video and sent in. There are two pathways.
| Technical Work pathway | Repertoire-only pathway | |
|---|---|---|
| Pieces | Three, 22 marks each | Four, 25 marks each |
| Technical work | 14 marks | None |
| Overall performance | 20 marks | None |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
In the Technical Work pathway, the 20 marks for overall performance take the place of the supporting tests. Ten are for delivery and focus, and ten are for musical awareness.
The marks
| Result | Marks |
|---|---|
| Distinction | 87 to 100 |
| Merit | 75 to 86 |
| Pass | 60 to 74 |
A mark under 60 is below a pass.
Do the grades count?
In the United Kingdom, Trinity’s Grades 6 to 8 carry UCAS points for university entry. Trinity lists them for face-to-face and digital grades alike.
| Grade | Pass | Merit | Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 |
| Grade 7 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
| Grade 8 | 18 | 24 | 30 |
Outside the United Kingdom, ask the school what it accepts.
Trinity and ABRSM
Families in the United Kingdom and in many other countries choose between these two boards.
| Trinity | ABRSM | |
|---|---|---|
| Marks | Out of 100, pass at 60 | Out of 150, pass at 100 |
| Grades | Initial to Grade 8 | Initial to Grade 8 |
| Tests beside the pieces | Technical work and two supporting tests | Scales, sight-reading, and aural tests |
| Choice of tests | Yes | No |
| Theory rule before Grade 6 | None | Grade 5 theory or an equal pass |
| Video exam | Two digital pathways | Performance Grades |
Read ABRSM grades explained and ABRSM Grade 5 theory for the other side.
How to choose
- Start with the teacher. Ask which board they use, and why.
- Check where the nearest exam center is, or plan on a digital exam.
- Look at the piece lists for your child’s grade, and see which board has the pieces your child wants to play.
- Think about theory. With Trinity, a student can reach Grade 8 with no theory exam. Ask the teacher how theory will be covered in lessons.
In Canada and the United States, RCM is easier to find. Read music exams for kids for the wider picture.
How a parent can help
- Ask the teacher which two supporting tests your child will take, and why
- Listen to the three pieces as a short concert once a week
- Keep technical work short and daily. The metronome for kids helps
- For a digital exam, do a full practice recording a week ahead
Sources
Checked in November 2026.
- Trinity College London. About our graded exams.
- Trinity College London. Digital Classical and Jazz grades.
- Trinity College London. Piano syllabus, digital and face-to-face assessment.
- Trinity College London. Classical guitar exams at a glance.
- Trinity College London. Results, scoring, and exam feedback.
- Trinity College London. Music qualifications recognition.
- Trinity College London. Music exams in Trinidad and Tobago, for candidate numbers.
- Trinity College London. Trinity College London celebrates 150 years.
- Trinity College London. Timeline.
- David Barton Music. ABRSM Grade 5 Theory: a debate?, for the theory rule.
More from this guide
This article is part of Music exams for kids: how RCM, ABRSM, and other graded exams work.
ABRSM Grade 5 theory: what parents need to know
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ABRSM grades explained for parents: from Initial Grade to Grade 8
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ABRSM Practical vs Performance Grades: how to choose
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Conservatory Canada exams explained for parents
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Use it with your kids
Print a listening page, a practice chart, or a composer fact sheet. Or try a tool, such as the composer timeline or the piece picker.