I love what many now call ‘digital grades’; they are truly a breath of fresh air. As an instrumental teacher with over 40 years' experience, I have never enjoyed the exam process more, nor have my pupils. Taking exams digitally has become a seamless part of the learning process.
Digital grades are the usual instrumental or singing music qualifications (for Grades 1–8) but delivered by digital means. The exam performance is recorded by the candidate or teacher, using a phone or other recording device. The recording is made at a time that's convenient, and submitted online via an exam board's website.
Flexibility
Because there is no visiting examiner, assessments can be taken when the pupil is ready and feels confident. There is no need to tread water while waiting for the exam day; this helps optimise progress and engagement, avoiding boredom or the repertoire becoming stale.
For the most part, digital exams also remove an element of stress compared with the traditional model. It can be such a joyful and encouraging experience. Gone are the days when pupils found the whole thing overwhelming, and felt they didn't display their true ability. Gone are the days of a negative exam experience, leading pupils to say ‘I never want to take exams again’ or, worse still, ‘I don't want to carry on playing my instrument anymore’.
Timing
I also find it liberating to be in control of how exams interact with the learning journey of my pupils. I no longer have the termly decision of whether to enter a pupil for their grade in advance, committing to a date in the future and having to decide if the pupil will be ready by that date. With digital exams, the grade can be taken when we are ready or have selected a date to work to. And if things do not go to plan, we adjust the date.
Other benefits
With the growing awareness of mental health issues, it is refreshing to be able to utilise an exam system that avoids undue stress. Being able to take exams with your family or teachers there to support and encourage you is such a help for anyone who wants to learn but finds face-to-face exams too daunting.
This supportive environment extends to SEND learners, who can take digital exams in familiar settings. Learners are given the opportunity to perform at their best and in comfort.
At a time when environmental concerns are so important, the emergence of digital grades obviates the need for examiners to fly overseas, or for candidates to travel long distances to exam centres. Digital exams can be taken in your school, home or at any venue that is convenient.
Specialist feedback
Digital exams also make it possible to offer instrument-specialist examiners, allowing for informed and insightful feedback. People unacquainted with graded music exams are often shocked to discover that the person examining may not necessarily play the instrument in question.
It is, of course, impractical and uneconomic to provide a different specialist for every instrument examined at a bricks-and-mortar centre. However, this is far more achievable with digital exams, and with the exponential growth of technology and new devices and platforms, the options available to us are bound to increase.
Using technology during a graded music exam can be intimidating for some teachers, especially those, like me, who remember submitting cassette tapes for GCSE! If we're unsure of what we are doing, however, we can ask the students, who mostly love using technology. From experience, I can reassure any teacher worried about engaging with tech – if you ask the pupil to manage the tech side of things, it's usually plain sailing.
Postscript
Be aware that not all digital exams are the same. Government-regulated digital grades 1–8 have been available since 2019, but with the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, they became a necessity for many. Exam boards not previously offering digital exams took a variety of routes to provide the new grades, and quickly.
The advantages mentioned in this article assume digital exams are working at their best. Not all digital exams offer instrument specialist examiners. The content varies from just performance pieces to the option of a broader exam syllabus including pieces, technical elements and musicianship. And some offer an app to facilitate the process of recording and submitting the exam files. The repertoire may also vary from prescribed lists to completely free choice.
The joy, flexibility and convenience of digital exams means it is unsurprising that teachers and pupils are voting with their feet, turning to this option in growing numbers. If you have not yet ventured into this territory, give it a go! It is great for everyone involved.
