Is Your Child Really Ready for a Digital Performance Exam? 4 Signs to Look For

Music exams are an important milestone in a student’s musical journey. They provide a structured way to measure progress, build confidence and set goals. However, rushing into an exam before your child is ready can lead to unnecessary stress, poor performance and even a loss of interest in music.
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With the rise of digital music exams, students now have the flexibility to be assessed from home. While this can reduce exam-day nerves, it also comes with unique challenges—from handling technical requirements to performing confidently without an examiner in the room. So, how do you know if your child is truly ready? Here are four key signs to look for before signing them up.

1. They Can Play Their Pieces Confidently and Accurately – Without Heavy Guidance

In a digital exam, students need to be able to perform their pieces independently, without real-time feedback from an examiner or teacher.

✅ They can play all pieces fluently with minimal mistakes and maintain a steady tempo (according to the tempo marking of the piece).
✅They can correct their own mistakes without reminders or guidance from a teacher.
✅ They understand phrasing, articulation and dynamics and apply them naturally to the music, expressing more than just the notes.
✅ They can perform confidently, not relying on the teacher for constant direction or corrections.
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🚩 Red Flag: If your child still needs frequent corrections, struggles with certain sections or has difficulty maintaining the tempo, they may need more time to practise before recording the exam.

2. Ensure a Proper Recording Setup at Home

Since digital music exams are recorded at home, parents play a key role in creating the right environment for a smooth and high-quality submission.

✅ Set up the camera with a camera stand at the correct angle to ensure the student’s hands, posture and instrument are clearly visible.
✅ Test the audio quality to ensure every note is captured clearly, without distortion or background noise.
✅ Follow the exam’s recording guidelines: no edits, proper framing and the correct file format for submission.
✅ Create a distraction-free environment by ensuring there are no interruptions during the recording.
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🚩 Red Flag: If the child is easily distracted at home or if the recording setup is subpar (e.g. poor lighting, muffled sound or incorrect angles), the quality of the submission may be affected. Parents should test the setup before the actual recording day to avoid last-minute issues.

3. They Understand the Digital Exam Rules and Criteria

Every digital exam has specific submission guidelines that students must follow carefully.

✅ They know how to introduce themselves and state their pieces on camera.         
​✅ They know they have to play all pieces continuously in one take.
✅ The parent/guardian understands how to submit the recording correctly, following the exam board’s guidelines.
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🚩 Red Flag:  If the student hasn’t reviewed the exam format or feels confused about the requirements, they need more preparation. If the parent/guardian is unfamiliar with the submission process, they should check the exam guidelines in advance.

4. They Are Mentally and Emotionally Prepared

Even if a student is technically ready, they must also be mentally prepared to handle the pressure of an exam.

✅ They feel motivated and confident about taking the exam.
✅ They are consistent with practise and don’t avoid their pieces.
✅ They can handle constructive criticism and make improvements.
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🚩 Red Flag: If your child constantly complains about practise, seems unmotivated or is fearful of the exam, forcing them to take it could backfire.

So, Is Your Child Ready?

If your child meets most of the green checks above, they are likely ready for their music exam! However, if they still have multiple red flags, it may be best to give them more time rather than rushing the process.

At Learn 2 Play Music Academy, our teachers provide recording assistance to ensure students meet all digital exam requirements with ease. Whether it’s for ABRSM piano and violin exams or Rockschool electric guitar, acoustic guitar, and ukulele exams, our teachers guide students through the process. If needed, students can also rent our studio at a discounted rate to complete their recordings during school hours.

​We guide students to take their exams at the right time, ensuring they feel confident, well-prepared, and motivated to succeed. If you're unsure about your child's readiness, our teachers can assess their progress and provide expert advice.
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Thinking about registering for an exam? Send us a message on WhatsApp at 8044 3928 today to schedule a trial assessment!