How your repertoire pieces are marked

Graded Exams

Each syllabus has a specifically designed mark sheet.

NMEs’ Mark Sheet has been developed to help reduce the subjectivity of music-making assessment. Generally for graded exams repertoire pieces are marked out of 25.  These 25 marks are sub-divided into 5 element marks.  These elements are specific to the instrument/singing and grade that is being examined.  For example:

Ukulele Grade 1

Element

Maximum Element Mark

Timing

5

Tempo

5

Note Accuracy

5

Fingering

5

Touch/Tone

5

Additional component marks

Generally the maximum mark for additional components of a graded exam is 25.

For example: Contemporary Piano – Grade 1

Maximum Mark

Keyboard Harmony or Playing a Piece From Memory

15

Musical Knowledge

10

Overall, Graded exams are marked out of 100

Achievement bands:

Mark

Pass With Distinction

90

Pass With Merit

80

Pass Mark

60

Below Pass Mark

59

 

How are Popular Songwriting exams marked?

Debut Level and Breakthrough Level

Part One

NME’s Level Mark Sheet has been developed to help reduce the subjectivity of music creation assessment.  Each original composition carries 40 marks. These 40 marks are sub-divided into 4 element marks.

For example: Popular Songwriting Breakthrough Level

Element

Maximum Element Mark

Establishment of a hook

10

Effectiveness of lyrics

10

Structure with modulation

10

Conviction of presentation

10

Part Two

A maximum of 20 marks are awarded.

For example: Popular Songwriting Debut Level 

Maximum Mark

The candidate will be required to discuss with the examiner how each song was composed providing rough, initial workings.

20

Overall, Level exams are marked out of 100

Achievement bands:

Mark

Pass With Distinction

90

Pass With Merit

80

Pass Mark

60

Below Pass Mark

59

Artist Level

Part One

NME’s Level Mark Sheet has been developed to help reduce the subjectivity of music creation assessment.  Each original composition carries 25 marks. These 25 marks are sub-divided into 5 element marks.

For example: Popular Songwriting Artist Level

Element

Maximum Element Mark

Use and selection of keys

5

Vocal harmony and instrumentation

5

Establishment of a hook and maintaining interest

5

Inventiveness and originality

5

Conviction of presentation

5

Part Two

A maximum of 25 marks are awarded.

For example: Popular Songwriting Debut Level

Maximum Mark

Transcription

10

Discussion with the examiner detailing candidates’ personal method of songwriting, providing initial working to illustrate

15

Overall, Level exams are marked out of 100

Achievement bands:

Mark

Pass With Distinction

90

Pass With Merit

80

Pass Mark

60

Below Pass Mark

59