RIAM Exams
As Ireland’s National Conservatoire, the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) combines a rich heritage with modern flexibility.
We empower musicians and drama students to showcase their skills in the way that suits them best.
We offer unique and diverse exam types designed to suit your artistic goals and learning style. Whether you aim for technical mastery,
creative expression, or a stress-free celebration of your progress, there's an exam for you!
Practical Grade Exams
The classic choice for Music students seeking well-rounded growth in both performance and technique, offered for all the Grades from Elementary to Grade 8 and Senior Certificate level.
Why Choose Practical Grade Exams?
- A trusted offer since 1894: the most popular exam choice in Ireland for music teachers
- Comprehensive Syllabus: Includes performance pieces and supporting tests of scales and arpeggios, sight-reading, and aural tests.
- Flexible Options: Take your exam in person or via video submission.
- Expert Feedback: Detailed evaluations to guide your improvement.
- Spotlight Eligibility: Celebrate your dedication and achievements, and those of your teacher, in a nationwide roadshow of excellence.
Perfect for: Music students who want to develop their technical and artistic skills in a balanced way.
Performance Grade Exams
Designed for Music students who shine through their creativity and love to perform, offered for all Grades from Elementary to Grade 8 and Senior Certificate level.
Why Choose Performance Grade Exams?
- Performance-Focused: Concentrates entirely on interpretation and delivery, replacing supporting tests of scales and arpeggios, sight-reading, and aural tests with one additional piece to be assessed.
- Flexible Repertoire: Use pieces from the RIAM syllabus or similar Exam bodies that are right for your Grade, and/or dive into genres like Pop, Jazz, or Traditional music.
- Convenient Formats: Available in person or via video submission.
- Inspiring Feedback: Expert insights to refine and enhance your performance.
- Spotlight Eligibility: Celebrate your artistic achievements in any genre & those of your teacher in a nationwide showcase of excellence.
Perfect for: Performers who thrive on expressing their individuality through music.
GOAL Performance - Mark-free Assessments
A supportive, assessment-only option designed for performers of all abilities to receive expert feedback - without the stress of marks or a pass/fail outcome.
Why Choose a Mark-Free Performance Assessment?
- Personalised Goals: Choose your own repertoire and set your own performance targets.
- Wide Range of Styles: Open to all instruments across Classical, Pop & Rock, Traditional, Folk, and Jazz genres.
- Flexible Formats: Perform solo or in groups of two or more.
- Encouraging Feedback: Receive thoughtful, constructive insights to support your musical growth.
- Accessible Anywhere: Fully digital submission process lets you take part from wherever you are.
Perfect for: Performers seeking motivation, confidence, and personalised feedback, without the pressure of grades, to grow at their own pace.
Drama & Communication Exams
Inspire confidence, creativity, and communication skills for life through the performing arts.
Why Choose Drama & Communication Exams?
- Build Key Skills: Explore acting, public speaking, reading aloud, improvisation, and performance.
- Drama or Communication Focus: Choose a pathway that suits your strengths: develop theatrical flair through Drama or build real-world speaking skills through Communication.
- School-Ready Structure: A supportive syllabus ideal for building presentation skills and personal confidence, especially for Junior Cycle and Leaving Cert students.
- Expert Feedback: Receive personalised, constructive insights to help you shine.
- Spotlight Eligibility: Celebrate your progress and your teacher’s dedication in a national showcase of excellence.
Perfect for: Students looking to develop their voice, stage presence, and confidence, both in performance and everyday school life.
Theory Exams
Supporting a deeper understanding of the art form, Theory Exams in music and drama build essential foundations in structure, style, and expression, making them the perfect companion to practical and performance-based graded learning.
Why choose RIAM Theory Exams?
- Quick & Convenient: Easy to use online exam format, receive your marks in minutes.
- Support Publications: Our theory exams are linked to the RIAM Theory books, available for purchase nationwide.
- Linked to Performance Growth: Academic knowledge of music improves musicality and performance.
Diploma Exams
Suitable for advanced students who aim to perform or teach their subject at a high level, RIAM's Diplomas in Teaching or Performance are widely recognised and respected professional qualifications.
- Diploma in Music Teaching (DipRIAM) qualifies you to teach students up to and including Grade V by studying the process of teaching and learning.
- Associate Diploma (ARIAM) offers a choice of pathways in Music and Drama, qualifying candidates to teach up to Grade VIII. Level 6 (NFQ equivalent)
- Licentiate Diploma (LRIAM) qualifies successful candidates to teach up to Diploma level. Level 7/8 (NFQ equivalent)
Not sure which exam is right for you?
Our friendly Exams team are on hand to help you decide which exam is best for your school or students.
Get in touch
examsoffice@riam.ie or call 01-6325333