Exams by video
A pre-recorded video exam may be a convenient alternative to a face-to-face exam. Videos may be recorded in your venue at a time of your choosing.
Video exam options
A pre-recorded video exam may be submitted for the following subjects between April and November:
| Pre-recorded video assessment | Grades |
|---|---|
| P Plate Piano | Books 1, 2 & 3 |
| AMEB Repertoire exams | Preliminary to Grade 8 |
| Rockschool Graded Certificates | Debut to Grade 8 |
| Rockschool Performance Certificates | Debut to Grade 8 |
Candidates must carefully check the syllabus to confirm the exam requirements for their instrument and grade, including the number of pieces and maximum performance times.
Uploading videos
Videos for P Plate Piano and Repertoire exams are uploaded via AMEB Connect. Videos for Rockschool exams are uploaded to a sharing platform (YouTube, Vimeo etc) then the exam details and the video link (URL) are submitted via the Rockschool submission form.
Recording tips
- Most late-model smartphones are suitable for recording exams.
- Choose a quiet location.
- Use a tripod or position the camera on a music stand or table.
- The video must clearly show the candidate’s face, most of their body, both hands and the whole instrument.
- Imagine the examiner is seated in the room at the camera location.
- If using a backing track or recorded accompaniment, ensure the sound is loud enough and balanced with the instrument.
- Video resolution of 720p is recommended (minimum 480p, maximum 1080p).
- You may want to use an external microphone and an app that allows for manual audio control.
AMEB video exams
Recording
- Start the video with a spoken introduction by the candidate: name, date, instrument and grade and title of the first piece.
- Announce each piece before it is played.
- The exam must be recorded in one continuous take.
- It is not necessary to show the accompanist.
- The recording must be supervised by an adult.
Submitting
- Videos must be recorded no earlier than three weeks prior to enrolment.
- We recommend uploading from a laptop or desktop computer as mobile devices can break the upload if the screen locks.
- Please remove any special characters (_underscores, – dashes) from the filename before uploading (letters/numbers are preferred).
- Longer exams, or exams filmed in high resolution may need to be compressed before uploading as the file size must be 1.5GB or smaller.
- AMEB Connect will accept any of the following video file format types: MP4, MOV, WMB, AVI, FLV
Piano
- Capture the whole keyboard and both hands.
- Do not position the camera at the same height as the keyboard.
- Level 2 exams (Grades 5 to 8) must also include the pedals in the frame.
- Piano candidates may use a digital piano for Level 1 (Preliminary to Grade 4) exams only.
- Piano for Leisure candidates may use a digital piano for any grade.
- Digital pianos must meet the following specifications: keyboard size – 88 notes; action – weighted and touch sensitive; pedals – fixed and functioning as for acoustic pianos.
Strings
- The f-holes should face the camera.
- Position the music stand so the examiner can clearly see the candidate’s body and both hands.
Woodwind
- The candidate should face the camera.
- Position the music stand so the examiner can clearly see the candidate’s body and both hands.
Brass
- The candidate should stand so the bell is not pointing at the camera.
- Position the music stand so the examiner can clearly see the candidate’s body and both hands.
Once a video performance has been assessed and a result issued, we cannot accept the video a second time.
Rockschool video exams
Recording
- Rockschool offers 2 video exam options, Graded Certificate and Performance Certificate. See the Rockschool exam options download below.
- Start the video with a spoken introduction by the candidate: name, age, date, instrument and grade and title of the first piece.
- Continue to announce each piece or technical exercise.
- The exam must be recorded in one continuous take.
- The recording must be supervised by an adult.
- Videos must be recorded no earlier than three weeks prior to enrolment.
- YouTube and Vimeo visibility settings should be set to unlisted.
- The Video Exam Resubmissions guide includes more information about reasons why your video may be rejected (below).
Photo ID
- Photo ID is required for all students sitting Rockschool exams at Grades 6 – 8.
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ID can be shown on camera (except for YouTube submissions) or emailed to AMEB Victoria.
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Important: Do not include photo ID in YouTube videos, as the platform will automatically remove any videos containing personal identification
Recording drum exams
- Drum candidates must ensure that their backing tracks can be heard alongside their drum sound.
- For more information, please check out the video exam guide below.
Page turning
- Candidates are permitted to have a person turn pages in their recording.
- Page turners are not allowed in face-to-face Rockschool exams.
Submit a Rockschool video exam
Submission form
Stay in touch
AMEB Victoria acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging.
