RIAM Exams FAQs

All syllabi are available for download on our Exams Syllabi page

Visit the Exam Dates & Fees page for a full breakdown of costs.

Applications and payments are made through our Online Portal. Our online application system allows you to set up your own account, book your exam, and view your results online. Payment for all exams must be completed online with card payment only. Postal applications cannot be accepted.

The Grace Period allows you to use the piano album from the previous calendar year for the first exam session of the new year (Spring only). For example, the 2024 Piano Albums may still be used in Spring 2025. This applies to all grades from Elementary to Grade V.

You must use pieces from one syllabus only—mixing pieces from different years or combining syllabi is not permitted. The Grace Period does not work in reverse, so future albums (e.g. 2025) cannot be used in an earlier year (e.g. 2024).

For appeals, fill out the Appeal Submission Form available on our Feedback, Complaints and Appeals page and provide the required information and documentation. 

Once your application and payment have been successfully completed, you’ll receive a confirmation email.

• For Live Exams: This email confirms your application has been received. Your exam date, time, and venue will be sent in a separate email once the schedule is finalised.
• For Recorded Exams: Your confirmation email will include your chosen upload timeframe and a link to upload your video. You will not receive a separate scheduling email, as your exam timeframe is selected during the application process.

You can find RIAM Publications in music shops across the country. These are listed on our Exam Publications Retailers page. 

Yes, candidates should provide their own music stand.

(The RIAM cannot provide music stands in any other exam centres, except for exams conducted in the RIAM, 36-38 Westland Row, Dublin 2)

If a piece requires accompaniment, it must be accompanied in a live exam. Not all pieces require accompaniment, so please read the syllabus carefully for guidance on your instrument and selected repertoire. Performing with or without accompaniment when not appropriate means that a mark cannot be awarded for that piece.

Yes, candidates should supply their own accompanist.

Use of a recorded accompaniment or backing track is not permitted in a live exam, with the exception of Music Theatre, where candidates are permitted to perform one song with a backing track.

Yes, candidates should bring a copy of pieces for examiners for all instruments, including singing and music theatre.

• Photocopied music is allowed only when the original is also present in the exam room.
• Legally downloaded music is permitted with proof of purchase.

Even if you play from memory, original music must still be present in the exam room.

Yes, provided it meets the technical and musical demands of the pieces. However, assessors will only grade based on what they hear.

Dress as you would for an in-person exam.

The original music must be visible in the exam recording. Candidates using downloaded music must verbally indicate this in the exam recording, and state the source of the downloaded music.

Yes, pieces requiring accompaniment must be performed with:

• A live accompanist
• A backing track
• A mix of both

Pieces that are intended to be performed unaccompanied should remain unaccompanied.

Yes, candidates (or a parent/guardian for under-18s) must introduce the candidate's name and repertoire.

No, recordings should be completed in one take where possible. Digital enhancements, edits, or manipulation of audio or video are not permitted and may result in disqualification. Editing of videos can be regarded as any manipulation/enhancement of video or audio after recording to improve the perceived performance. 

Video submissions must be in .mov or .mp4 format. Audio-only files are not accepted.

Yes, programme notes must be uploaded in the designated field on the submission page.

No, you will be asked for your teacher's marks when uploading your video.

We understand that pianos are not always perfectly in tune and allowances are made for this. The instrument must be capable of achieving the technical and musical demands of the chosen pieces. It must be understood that Examiners will only be able to assess what they hear.

Yes. A maximum of 10 marks is available for General Knowledge and Examiners will use the introductions to assess this area. Please refer to the Music Theatre syllabus for guidance. If songs are presented without introduction, candidates are not eligible for marks in this section.

Teachers should provide appropriate passages or titles for these components, ensuring they align with syllabus requirements.

Teachers are asked to provide a recommended mark where specified in the syllabus, usually for sections involving Conversation or Discussion. Marks should reflect the student’s understanding of theory, communication skills, knowledge of chosen pieces, and literary background.

Please note: Not all exams require a teacher’s recommended mark (e.g. Recital Programmes).

Recommended marks should be given out of the following maximums:

• Early Learning: 50 marks
• Kindergarten – Grade 8: 20 marks
• Senior Certificate: 10 marks

Drama & Communication candidates should include the following sections in their video submission(s):

• Drama
• Poetry
• Prose
• Mime
• Improvisation
• Sight Reading

For on-line submissions, an appropriate sight reading passage should be found under the guidance of the student’s teacher and should relate to specific grade requests in the syllabus.

In situations where the examiner would provide unseen passages for higher grades, the teacher may provide the student with appropriate sight reading piece(s) for their grade ahead of their recording. Alternatively, the student may use appropriate reading material from their school English course.

As a rough guideline, sight reading should be about  1.5 to 2mins duration for most grades when recorded and just a little longer for more senior grades.

In recorded exam submissions, where the examiner would normally provide the title on the day, the teacher should give the title to the student instead.

Results can be viewed online once they are processed. Certificates and result sheets will follow via post as soon as possible after this. 

If you spot an error on your certificate, please contact us as soon as possible at examsoffice@riam.ie. We’ll ask you to return the incorrect certificate so we can avoid duplication, and we’ll issue a corrected version promptly. 

Please contact the office at examsoffice@riam.ie if you require replacements. Please note there is an administration fee for replacement certificates.