MTB Exam Manual

1|Page
2|Page
Contents
Music Teachers Board ................................................................................................................................... 4

1. General Information ............................................................................................................................. 4

2. Benefits of taking the exams................................................................................................................. 4

3. Types of exams...................................................................................................................................... 4

4. Exam Requirements for Practical & Performance Grades .................................................................... 5

5. Practical & Performance Exam Marks................................................................................................... 7

6. Additional Information.......................................................................................................................... 8

7. Exam registration .................................................................................................................................. 8

3|Page
Music Teachers Board
1. General Information

MTB (Music Teachers Board) was developed over several years and their first Ofqual regulated
qualifications were launched in March 2019. The board now have over 1,500 exam centers across 50
countries.

2. Benefits of taking the exams

Earning an MTB certificate is a rewarding experience. If your student is working hard to make progress
with music, they need a way to recognize their success and reassurance that they are on the right track.

Music exams offer:

➢ Motivation and inspiration, working from a carefully structured syllabus towards a definite goal
➢ A measure of progress and attainment against internationally recognized benchmarks
➢ An objective guide to improve musical skills
➢ Assessment by a respected and independent musician who's highly trained and is monitored
➢ Performance opportunities and a real sense of achievement
➢ UCAS credits applicable for university entry.

3. Types of exams

MTB offers preparatory exam, practical grades, performance grades and theoretical exams in music that
are conducted online. Exams are designed for variety of the instruments and grades. Candidates may be
entered for any grade irrespective of age and without previously having taken any other grade on the
same instrument.

Preparatory Exam: this exam is designed to provide assessment for students without awarding any marks
and fear of failure. Students will receive a certificate with the comment about their performance.

Practical Grades: these exams are created for students who want to work on technicalities and repertoire.
Candidates will prepare a set of pieces and technical exercises.

Performance Grades: in these exams, students can focus solely on performance and expand their
repertoire.

MTB offers diplomas for post-Grade 8 students in Music Performance.

• AMTB (Associate of the Music Teachers’ Board)

• LMTB (Licentiate of the Music Teachers’ Board)

4|Page
 Preparatory Exam Pre – Grade Introductory Pre – Grade Higher

Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 AMTB LMTB

4. Exam Requirements for Practical & Performance Grades

Practical Grades:

Preparatory Practical Exams Non- Practical Exams Contemporary Performance

Contemporary Exams
Test

2 Pieces 3 Pieces Pre-Grades Grade 1 – 8 Target Duration

3 Pieces 4 Pieces 4 – 5 Pieces

Technical Pre- Grade 1 - 8 Technical Exercises -
Exercises / Grades
Additional Technical
Piece Technical Exercises
Exercises
+

Scales

- - Grade 1 - 8 - -

Musicianship

Reading Skills

Listening Skills
/ Duet

5|Page
Performance Grades:

Each grade has an associated Target Duration which represents the appropriate length of your whole
performance, right from your first entrance to final exit. Candidates are required to prepare 4 – 5 pieces
for Performance Grades Exam.

Grade Time
Pre – Grade Introductory None
Pre – Grade Higher None
Grade 1 5 minutes
Grade 2 6 minutes
Grade 3 8 minutes
Grade 4 10 minutes
Grade 5 12 minutes
Grade 6 15 minutes (12 – 18)
Grade 7 18 minutes (15 – 21)
Grade 8 22 inutes (19 – 25)

*aCandidates taking Contemporary subjects such as: Contemporary Drums, Contemporary Guitar,
Contemporary Singing, Bass Guitar & Keyboard are allowed to play minimum of 3 pieces if the Target
Duration is met.

** Target Duration for Grades 1 – 5 is flexible and it can be +/- 30% of the total time.

Exam Pieces:

MTB exams offer free choice of exam pieces. Candidates can choose to play from:

- MTB Books (available digital copy online)

- Any Ofqual accredited books (ABRSM, Trinity, LCM, etc.)
- Own choice songs

MTB website provides Own Choice Songs Guidance. Moreover, candidates and teachers can use Free
Choice Approval Service available online.

Technical Exercises and Musicianship:

All Technical Exercises and requirements from Musicianship part are available in a free downloadable
form online. During the exam candidate will perform previously prepared exercises.

6|Page
5. Practical & Performance Exam Marks

Preparatory Test exams are not awarded with any points. It is not possible to pass or fail this exam.
Candidates will receive certificate with comment only.

Marks for Pre-Graded and Graded exams

Marks Result Mark sheet Certificate

Below 60 Failed Yes No
60 - 74 Pass Yes Yes
75 - 86 Merit Yes Yes
87 - 100 Distinction Yes Yes

Marks breakdown:

Non-Contemporary Practical Exam

Pre-Grades

- 3 Pieces: 75 marks (25 each)

- Technical Exercises: 25 marks

Grade 1 – 8

- 3 Pieces: 60 marks (20 each)

- Technical Exercises: 25 marks
- Musicianship: 15 marks

Contemporary Practical Exams

Pre-Grades

- 3 Pieces: 75 marks (25 each)

- Technical Exercises: 25 marks

Grade 1 – 8

- 4 Pieces: 80 marks (20 each)

- Technical Exercises: 20

7|Page
Performance Exams

- Accuracy: 25 marks
- Expression: 25 marks
- Technique: 25 marks
- Stagecraft & Sense of Performance: 15 marks
- Programme: 10 marks

6. Additional Information

➢ Repeats are optional, however, they are encouraged as they can increase target duration and they
offer opportunities to display greater dynamic and expressive variation
➢ All da capo and dal segno indications should be observed
➢ Candidates are free to perform any of their pieces from memory. No additional marks are
awarded for playing from memory
➢ All scales must be played from memory (Practical Exams)
➢ The individual sections of the exam may be taken in any order, at the candidate’s choice, although
it is always preferable for accompanied pieces to be performed consecutively
➢ Candidates with disorders or disabilities may apply for Reasonable Adjustments.
➢ Candidates are free to choose jazz pieces for their exam. Exams with 2 or more jazz pieces will be
marked by a jazz specialist.
➢ All accompaniments can be done by either live accompanist or by prerecorded audio.

7. Exam registration

Exam Session Exam Type Registration Deadline Exam

Winter Practical & Theory September December

Spring Practical & Theory December March

Summer Practical & Theory March June

8|Page