Welcome to the Performance Grades ‘How To Hub’
This hub includes all of the essential information and step by step guides to help you with setting up, recording and submitting your video.
All content below is presented as written guidance (a PDF which you can save to your computer and/or print) and also video (via YouTube links) so that you can choose to learn through whichever format you prefer.
The marking criteria for Performance Grades, including how our examiners assess the performance as a whole, can be found here. You may also like to visit the FAQs page.
| CHECKLIST | READ AND DOWNLOAD THE GUIDANCE | WATCH AND SAVE THE GUIDANCE |
| SETTING UP YOUR VIDEO | ||
| 720p video resolution | See 'Video resolution' (page 5) | Watch video (00:00 – 00:36) |
| Accepted file formats: MP4, WMV, MOV, MPG | See 'File size' (page 6) | Watch video (00:36 – 01:05) |
| Camera position should show candidate and instrument (and accompanist if possible) | See 'Camera position' (page 6) | Watch video (00:00 – 00:40) |
| Video and audio should be recorded simultaneously | See 'General recording requirements' (page 5) | Watch video (01:05 – 01:44 |
| Test the recording and sound works before starting your performance | See 'Testing and trialling' (page 6) | Watch video (01:13 – 01:33) |
| Check your device's storage and battery, and turn off any notifications before you begin | See 'Testing and trialling' (page 6) | Watch video (01:20 – 01:50) |
| PRE-EXAM INTRODUCTION | ||
| Show your Candidate ID (Initial, Grades 1 - 8 and ARSM) | See 'Candidate identification' (page 8) | Watch video (00:00 – 00:40) |
| Show your completed programme form | See 'Programme form' (page 7) | Watch video (00:40 – 02:23) |
| Show the first page of your own-choice piece | See 'Own-choice music copy' (page 7) | Watch video (02:23 – 03:00) |
| Announce your name, instrument and grade | See 'Announcement' (page 7) | Watch video (03:00 - 03:38) |
| Announce the title, composer and list information for your four pieces | See 'Announcement' (page 7) | Watch video (03:00 - 03:38) |
| RECORDING YOUR PERFORMANCE GRADE | ||
| Record all four pieces in one continuous take | See 'General recording requirements' (page 5) | Watch video (01:06 – 01:39) |
| Do not edit the video in any way or apply any post-production techniques | See 'General recording requirements' (page 5) | Watch video (01:44 – end) |
| SUBMITTING YOUR VIDEO | ||
| The video file should be no more than 2GB in size – you will need to compress larger files | See 'File size' (page 6) | Watch video (02:36 – 02:46) |
| Upload your video file via your online account and wait for on-screen confirmation of successful upload | See 'Submitting the video recording and declarations' (page 9) | Watch video (00:00 – end) |
Finally, don’t forget:
- Check the video all the way through to ensure sound and video are working
- The file name must not contain any spaces and must not be blank, otherwise it will not upload successfully
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Check the time and date that your recording is due to be submitted by