Exam Tips from an Examiner's Perspective

If you are thinking of doing the exams, here are a few tips for you:

1. Be Prepared

• Preparation is Key:

  • The first tip is to be as prepared as you can possibly be.
  • It can feel a little bit stressful walking into a room and playing pieces that you've performed in your bedroom or to friends, in front of a complete stranger.

• Remember the Examiner's Role:

  • Just remember that the examiner wants you to do as well as you can.
  • They're not there to catch you out.

2. Mental Preparation

• Extra Preparation for Exam Day:
  • Make sure you're extra prepared for the little extra pressure you'll feel on exam day.

Suggested Strategies:

• Practice in Front of Others:

  • Try performing your pieces in front of your parents or friends at home as a warm-up exam.

• Mock Exams:

  • Run a mock exam with your teacher under exam-style conditions to mentally prepare yourself for the slightly different environment than practicing alone in your bedroom.

3. Technical Exercises

• Pushing Your Limits:

  • With technical exercises, don't just learn them up to the required exam tempo.
  • Push your limits slightly further.

• Building Confidence:

  • For example, if you know you can play exercises at 120 bpm instead of 100 bpm, you'll have that extra confidence when you walk into the exam.

Conclusion:

Taking these two simple steps can significantly smooth out your exam experience. Remember, preparation and mental readiness are crucial for success. Good luck!