Traditional Graded Exams are the backbone of the Rockschool syllabuses, but there are also Performance Certificates in each zone for candidates who just want to play pieces, as well as Band Exams if you have a guitarist, bassist and drummer who want to perform together.

The Rockschool packs have standard music notation (and TAB for guitar/bass) plus great sounding CDs featuring top musicians. We also encourage everyone to be creative with our Rockschool tunes - so feel free to improvise and adapt them to suit your playing style and musical approach. To help you progress, read our ‘Guru's Guide' where you will find hints on playing each tune. There is also a description of the playing achievements you will need to aim for in each grade, so you can have an overview of your progress at a glance.

A ‘Companion Guide' each for Guitar, Bass, Drums and Vocals is also available. Each contains examples of the exercises along with tips on how best to perform. There are multiple examples of: sight reading, improvisation & interpretation tests, quick study pieces and ear tests as well as the types of general musicianship questions asked in the exam.  

 Rockschool grades are accredited by the UK Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) . When you take one of our Rockschool exams you will have a qualification and measure of your achievement that is recognized around the world. It shows you can play your music when it really counts.

Rockschool examinations are recognized in the UK as the leading pop music performance certificates. In an article the Times Educational Supplement went further by writing "There is no doubt that Rockschool is currently the market leader in pop music education."

As well as delivering examinations rockschool has also been involved with and developed many close links with the music and education industry

Princes Trust
Rockschool has worked in partnership with the Princes Trust in developing pop music workshops for young people since 1994. This gives many, who may have had no previous music making skills, an opportunity to take part in week long residential workshops around the country with professional musicians supporting them.

Rockschool took 30 young musicians from the UK and 30 young South African musicians and put them together for two weeks. There were drum bands, a choir, a hip-hop drum & bass collective. It was a radical move designed to cement the bonds between the two countries and to celebrate the action of two cultures coming together.

The two weeks culminated with an inaugural concert in Johannesberg in 1998. The musicians took the stage with artists such as The Spice Girls, Soweto Strings, Omar and Jonathan Butler. The proceedings were recorded and broadcast by both the Ozone (BBC) and MTV.

Further information about Rockschool is available on www.rockschool.co.uk