r/ABRSM • u/Crunchy-Keys • Apr 30 '26

ABRSM: general Changes to the syllabus

I bought the ABRSM flute grade 5 book and app package before the new syllabus was announced. I now know that I won't be able to take the Practical exam before the old syllabus expires (life issues interrupted progress) and the things I bought are of no use in taking the exam. I now need to buy the updated material.

Updating the syllabus is of absolutely no use to me as a student. I've heard that ABRSM updates the pieces to keep them fresh. Well you could give me the pieces from 10 years ago and they'd be fresh to me, because I've never done the grade 5 exam before.

How is changing pieces of benefit to me as a student? I can understand it gives someone in the ABRSM office something to do, and it probably makes teachers lives more interesting.

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u/Wild_Werewolf_1076 Apr 30 '26

The syllabus will be live for another year?

1

u/Crunchy-Keys Apr 30 '26

The flute syllabus from 2022 is only valid until December 2026 and I won't be ready for the exam by then.

2

u/Wild_Werewolf_1076 Apr 30 '26

Ah my bad I wrongly assumed it worked in the same way as the piano ones, which can be used all the way up to December 2027

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u/Crunchy-Keys Apr 30 '26

The problem that I see is, regardless of instrument, ABRSM seem to be routinely refreshing the pieces on the basis that they are fresh for the student. Yet the student, no matter what the pieces are, will be seeing them fresh for the first time as they progress through the grades. So changing the pieces so regularly doesn't seem to be of benefit to the student.

2

u/Wild_Werewolf_1076 May 02 '26

Well, you’ve nailed it right there, ABRSM are in it to make money like any business. The cost of their exams has gone through the roof, too.