Since May 2020, RSL started exclusively issuing Digital Mark Sheets for all Examinations. In the many years past, the traditional hand-written marksheet was a familiar accompaniment to the Exam Certificates.
Many a candidate, teacher and parent would then, if they were not so lucky, have to call a conference to decipher the written comments on the results sheet – we exaggerate, of course, but this did tend to be a point of conversation with parents and candidates here at the RSEC office.
The introduction of the Digital Marksheets did indeed ease the burden of interpretation for educators. Here’s a little overview to help you understand your Exam Mark Sheet a little better, and as a result, give you a clear direction in prepping for your next exam!
Anatomy of the Marksheet
Exam Details
This section specifies the Candidate’s particulars such as their name, instrument, grade, exam type and date of examination.
The Assessment
This is where you will find your marks for each section of the exam. Pictured here is an example of the Graded Exam marksheet. For a Performance Certificate, it will be 5 Performance Pieces in the chart.
Examiner’s Comments
With the Digital Marksheets, rather than hand-written feedback, Examiners give a holistic feedback, highlighting the best features of your performance as well as areas for improvement for future exams.
Definition of Assessment Criteria
RSL wants to be as transparent as possible with the Marking Criteria. To make this easier, a description of each is included in every Digital Marksheet!
What are Assessment Criteria?
- Assessment Criteria are how examiners assess the learning outcomes.
- They are applied to evidence musical outcomes at progressing grades. Each criteria is equally weighted.
- Each criteria is considered and marked separately.
- The combination gives the total mark for each piece/supporting test.
Now the assessment criteria are not a new concept. However, this is the first time they have been printed out on a marksheet that is given to the candidate! With this information, we can now pinpoint the areas that need to be improved.
As you can see, each criteria is indicated under every section of the exam in the marksheet. Understanding what each of these mean can then help us to focus our practice and hone in on the aspects we need to improve on. Let’s take a look at each of the 4 individual assessment criteria:
- Command of InstrumentThe quality of the sound produced from the instrument, including the consistency of sound/tone, control of sound/tone commensurate with grade.
- Sync or PulseAlignment of the performance to backing track, metronome or applied to a solo performance, observing notation markings. For unaccompanied pieces candidates should maintain a secure internal pulse and adjust the pulse where instructed within the music.
- Accuracy and UnderstandingRepresenting the written notation accurately, except by instruction through performance notes, or interpreting the written part with equivalent skills demonstrated. Secure understanding of musical structure evidenced through transitions of phrases, bars and sections.
- Style and ExpressionAn expressive and commanding performance of the notated material dictated by the demands of the performance piece.
How are Marks Awarded?
Awarding of marks relates entirely to the assessment criteria. The mark is determined by extent to which the average is evidenced overall.
- Criteria achieved SOME of the time: PASS (‘OK’)
- Criteria achieved MOST of the time: MERIT (‘GOOD’)
- Criteria achieved ALL of the time: DISTINCTION (‘EXCELLENT’)
Just keep in mind the important keywords: SOME OF THE TIME = Pass, MOST OF THE TIME = Merit, and ALL OF THE TIME = Distinction. This way it becomes easier to break down your practice sessions and focus on improving all 4 of these aspects of your performance! Try out our Practice Diary to help you improve your practice sessions.
There you have it, a guide to understanding your RSL Exam Digital Marksheet!
Remember, registration for the Period A 2022 Rockschool and RSL Classical Exams is on until 31st January 2022. Don’t forget to sign up before the deadline. To find more information on the Rockschool Exams in Singapore, click here.
To sign up for your Exam in Period A 10-31 March 2022, click HERE.