Exam & audition preparation
Plan the weeks to your exam date.
From a date in your diary to this week's practice. Choose a framework, check the official requirements, and give each week a purpose. Plans and tracking across the catalog; The $25 exam package includes full published original banks for ABRSM, Trinity and RCM on violin and cello.
From a date to a week of practice.
I. Set the destination
Choose the assessment.
Select a pathway, level, and format. Add your date and weekly practice time. For auditions, keep your institution’s current requirements alongside the plan.
II. Make room for the work
Practice by component.
Use the framework’s weights to organize the week. Keep practice observations after an attempt and discuss the areas that need attention with your teacher.
III. Rehearse what you can test
Question practice where published.
Where original knowledge questions are available, choose tutor, untimed, timed, or exam-style modes. Review the result and explanations, then take the next practice step.
Build the knowledge behind the notes
A starting checklist for Grade 5 theory practice.
Build these skills at your own pace, then try them against the clock. For each answer, explain the rule, then try another key or rhythm.
Scales and intervals
Can you spell a scale without skipping a letter name? Can you name both the number and quality of an interval?
Clefs and time signatures
Identify the clef before naming a note. In 3/4, a complete bar contains three quarter-note beats: a half note and a quarter note fill it. In 6/8, six eighth notes usually group into two dotted-quarter beats.
Chords and arpeggios
An arpeggio plays the notes of a chord one after another. A D-major triad uses D–F sharp–A; D–F natural–A makes it minor. Say the note names before playing either pattern slowly.
ABRSM Practical Grade 5 cello keeps its locked 120-question collection. Your exam package includes original banks for violin and cello across ABRSM, Trinity and RCM grades or levels 1–5. Independent material only; not official board questions or a complete theory course.
Original practice example
Understand the answer, then use it in your playing.
The question
In the classical melodic minor scale of B, what happens to the sixth and seventh degrees when you ascend, and when you descend?
The answer
Ascending: G sharp and A sharp. Descending: G natural and A natural. F sharp remains part of the key signature in both directions.
Why it works
B natural minor is B–C sharp–D–E–F sharp–G–A–B. The classical ascending melodic minor raises the sixth and seventh degrees; the descending form returns to the natural minor. Play both directions slowly and listen to the difference.
The preparation frameworks.
11 frameworks in the current catalog. Open one to see its components, source, and limits before building a plan. Board links stay the source of truth for requirements.
Graded examinations 7
ABRSM PracticalInitial Grade–Grade 8 · Face-to-face
ABRSM Bowed Strings Practical Grade
What it is: A face-to-face graded exam covering three prepared pieces, scales and arpeggios, sight-reading, and aural tests.
What it is for: For learners who want an all-round milestone across performance, technique, reading, and listening skills.
Read the preparation guide, try a free exercise and compare packages
Compare violin grades 1–5 · Compare cello grades 1–5
International · current “from 2024” bowed-strings syllabus
- Prepared repertoire60%
- Scales & arpeggios14%
- Sight-reading14%
- Aural tests12%
ABRSM Bowed Strings Practical Grades syllabus ↗
Valid from 1 January 2024 until further notice. Use the official syllabus for repertoire and exact technical-work lists.
ABRSM states that its syllabus listings and repertoire/scale lists are copyrighted. Arco links to the official requirements and supplies original skill drills; it does not republish those lists.
ABRSM PerformanceInitial Grade–Grade 8 · Digital video
ABRSM Bowed Strings Performance Grade
What it is: A video-assessed grade built around one continuous four-piece programme, without separate scales, sight-reading, or aural tests.
What it is for: For learners who want a graded result focused on recital performance and prefer recording to an in-person exam.
Read the preparation guide, try a free exercise and compare packages
International · current “from 2024” bowed-strings syllabus
- Prepared repertoire80%
- Performance as a whole20%
ABRSM Performance Grades guidance ↗
Four pieces in one continuous unedited video; verify current ID, accompaniment, file, and upload rules before recording.
Trinity LiveInitial–Grade 8 · Face-to-face
Trinity Strings Grade Exam · Face-to-face
What it is: A live graded exam with three pieces, technical work, and two supporting tests from the choices allowed at that grade.
What it is for: For learners who want an examiner in the room and some choice in how they demonstrate their wider musicianship.
Read the preparation guide, try a free exercise and compare packages
Compare violin grades 1–5 · Compare cello grades 1–5
International · Strings syllabus from 2025
- Prepared repertoire66%
- Technical work14%
- Supporting test 110%
- Supporting test 210%
Trinity Strings syllabus and exam formats ↗
Three pieces, technical work, and supporting tests. Confirm the selected grade’s choices and current repertoire in Trinity’s official syllabus.
Trinity Digital + TechnicalInitial–Grade 8 · Digital video
Trinity Strings Digital Grade · Technical Work
What it is: A submitted video grade with three pieces, selected technical work, and an assessment of the performance as a whole.
What it is for: For learners who want a remote graded exam while keeping a dedicated technique component.
Read the preparation guide, try a free exercise and compare packages
International · Strings syllabus from 2025
- Prepared repertoire66%
- Technical work14%
- Overall performance20%
Trinity digital graded-exam formats ↗
Three pieces, technical work, and overall performance. Verify the current strings syllabus before submission.
Trinity Repertoire-onlyInitial–Grade 8 · Digital video
Trinity Strings Digital Grade · Repertoire-only
What it is: A submitted video grade assessed through a four-piece programme instead of separate technical work or supporting tests.
What it is for: For learners who want a remote, performance-only route built around prepared repertoire.
Read the preparation guide, try a free exercise and compare packages
International · Strings syllabus from 2025
- Prepared repertoire80%
- Whole programme20%
Trinity digital graded-exam formats ↗
Four pieces and 100 marks in total. Confirm repertoire validity and all video rules on the official site.
RCM CertificateLevels 1–8 · Practical examination
The Royal Conservatory Certificate Program · Strings
What it is: A level-based practical program covering repertoire, studies and technique, ear training, and sight-reading, with theory requirements alongside some levels.
What it is for: For learners following the Royal Conservatory curriculum who want structured practical milestones used widely in Canada and the United States.
Read the preparation guide, try a free exercise and compare packages
Compare violin grades 1–5 · Compare cello grades 1–5
Canada / United States · Strings syllabi with current addenda
- Repertoire & memory60%
- Etudes & technical tests20%
- Aural skills10%
- Reading skills10%
RCM syllabi, errata, and 2024 Musicianship Addendum ↗
Verify the current instrument syllabus and Musicianship Addendum before study. Levels 5–8 also have theory co-requisites. Arco Levels 1–2 banks are original knowledge-support aligned to early RCM skills, not a republication of RCM lists.
Arco links to RCM requirements and does not reproduce its protected repertoire, etude, or technical-work lists. Mark weights vary by level; treat the 60/20/10/10 figures as a planning guide for Levels 3–8.
AMEB ComprehensiveGrades 3–8 · Comprehensive practical
AMEB Cello Comprehensive Grade Examination
What it is: An Australian practical grade assessment combining technical work, studies and pieces, aural tests, sight-reading, and general knowledge.
What it is for: For learners following AMEB who want a broad practical assessment rather than a repertoire-only format.
Read the preparation guide, try a free exercise and compare packages
Australia · current cello syllabus pending announced 2026 revision
- Studies & pieces55%
- Technical work20%
- Aural tests10%
- Sight-reading8%
- General knowledge7%
AMEB syllabuses and examination regulations ↗
AMEB describes Comprehensive grades as Technical Work; Studies and Pieces; and Aural Tests, Sight-Reading, and General Knowledge. AMEB announced a revised cello syllabus for November 2026, so recheck validity before every plan.
AMEB does not expose a stable public mark split for every cello grade. These percentages are explicitly Arco planning allocations, not official marks. Use the purchased current syllabus for exact repertoire and technical requirements.
Auditions & placement 4
U.S. All-StateMiddle/high school · Recorded / Live
U.S. State Honor Orchestra Audition
What it is: A competitive state honor-orchestra audition, not one national exam. Each state and school year sets its own music, rules, and live or recorded format.
What it is for: For school musicians trying to earn a place in their state honor ensemble. The current state association packet is always the authority.
Read the preparation guide, try a free exercise and compare packages
United States · state and school-year specific
- Required etudes/excerpts35%
- Scales & technical requirements15%
- Orchestral style20%
- Submission compliance15%
- Cold-run reliability15%
NAfME student opportunities and state association rules ↗
There is no universal national string audition list. Select and verify the learner’s state association, year, instrument, official cuts, and errata.
Many state excerpts are restricted for copyright reasons. Students must obtain official music through their director or association; Arco stores preparation notes, not unauthorized copies.
Youth OrchestraDeveloping–pre-professional · Recorded / Live
Youth Orchestra Audition
What it is: An audition for a particular community, regional, or pre-college youth orchestra, often using solo music, excerpts, scales, and sometimes sight-reading.
What it is for: For players seeking membership or advancement in a youth orchestra. Requirements change by orchestra and season.
Read the preparation guide, try a free exercise and compare packages
Institution-specific
- Solo work35%
- Required excerpts30%
- Scales/technical work15%
- Sight-reading readiness10%
- Audition delivery10%
Learner’s official youth-orchestra audition page ↗
Requirements vary by orchestra and season. Paste the official source into the plan and verify it again after every announced update.
Chair / placement testMiddle/high school · Live / Recorded
School Orchestra Chair or Placement Test
What it is: A school or district assessment used to assign an orchestra section, part, or chair. It is set by the director, not by a national exam board.
What it is for: For students preparing for placement within their school orchestra. The current director handout controls what to prepare.
Read the preparation guide, try a free exercise and compare packages
School/district-specific
- Assigned music35%
- Rhythmic security20%
- Intonation & position map20%
- Sight-reading15%
- One-chance delivery10%
Learner’s director-issued requirements ↗
The director’s current handout is authoritative. Arco’s default rubric is a preparation framework, not a prediction of chair placement.
College / ConservatoryPre-college/undergraduate · Prescreen video / Live audition
College or Conservatory String Audition
What it is: An institution-specific admission audition that may include a prescreen video, live repertoire, scales, excerpts, sight-reading, or an interview.
What it is for: For applicants seeking admission, studio placement, or scholarship consideration. Each school and admission year has its own requirements.
Read the preparation guide, try a free exercise and compare packages
Institution and admission-year specific
- Required solo repertoire45%
- Technical command15%
- Excerpts, if required10%
- Prescreen integrity15%
- Live-audition resilience15%
Representative official conservatory requirements (Juilliard violin BM) ↗
Representative only. Every school, degree, year, and instrument differs; the learner’s target institution page overrides this framework.