Getting started

Go to the syllabus page, select your instrument, download the required grade and its associated resources (if applicable). Please note that free choice pieces are also now available for all instruments.

Syllabuses Free Choice Pieces Guidance

To enter or submit a candidate, you will first need to register on our website.

There are three registration options for our users. All three user types can purchase books, enter and submit exams with MTB.

• An Individual User: Candidates/parents or any other general users should use this sign up option.
• An Individual Music Teacher: This user type is a centre allowing you to officiate and offer MTB exams to your students.
• An Organisation: This user type is a centre allowing you and your staff to officiate and offer MTB exams to your students.

Centres: oversee an exam and receive the exam marksheet and certificate (certificates can be sent directly to the candidate if preferred).

• UK Centres: UK centres are authorised to conduct audio or video examinations for their students.
• International Centres: MTB exams can be taken anywhere in the world, so there are no restrictions on signing up as a centre to offer our exams in any region. All international centres are authorised for video examinations. International centres that wish to also offer audio examinations should complete an additional application form.*

Sign Up   Sign Up Guidance

• *The organisation audio application form can be downloaded here.
• *The individual teacher audio application form can be downloaded here.

Once logged in you will be able to enter candidates for an MTB exam via the ‘make an entry’ page and you will then receive your personalised front cover as a PDF with your order confirmation email.  (The teacher will also need a copy of this Front Cover for the exam*).

The exam entry and payment can either be made by the teacher/school or directly by the candidate/candidate’s parents.

International Users: Please note there is an additional charge for certificate delivery outside of the UK.

On the make an entry page we ask you to enter the following:

• Instrument, Grade, Candidate Name, Candidate Date of Birth, Teacher Name (If applicable), Does the exam contain jazz improvisation?
• Is this a Practical Grade or a Performance Grade? Please note all performance grades are videoed regardless of the options selected below.
• Is the exam being conducted with a teacher/centre?
  • Selecting ‘Yes’ means: there will be a teacher/centre representative present during the recording of the exam, either in person or remotely to verify your identity. The teacher/centre will receive the marksheet for this exam. You will need the centre number of the teacher/organisation overseeing the exam at this stage.
  • Selecting ‘No’ means: there will not be a teacher/centre representative present during the recording of the exam. The candidate will receive the marksheet for this exam.
• Exam Format: Only video exams are approved in India
• Certificate Postage Address: If there is no teacher/centre present there will be the opportunity to enter the certificate postage address. If the exam is being conducted with a teacher/centre then the certificate postage address fields will appear. However, if the centre has requested for the certificates to go directly to them, then the certificate postage fields will not appear.

*Entries made using your centre number will generate a front cover and email sent both to the person making the entry and also to the centre email address. So if you have parents making entries, centres will also be alerted that entries are being made under their centre number, and a candidate front cover sheet will be sent to the centre email as well. 

Make an entry

An MTB exam can either be conducted by a registered teacher/centre or the candidate can conduct the exam themselves without a teacher/centre present.  On entry you will be asked to confirm one of these two options.

The easiest way to conduct and record an MTB exam is with our app, which allows you to record an exam in audio or video, photograph the music and submit the exam with just a phone or tablet. To learn more about the app click here.

You can also record the exam through any other means and submit the recording through the website.

An exam can be conducted by a teacher/centre either in person or remotely via webcam. The exam can be recorded and submitted on our app by either the teacher or candidate/candidate’s guardian.  It is important that the device recording the exam using our app is always in the room with the candidate playing to ensure the quality of the recording. Therefore if the teacher is conducting the exam remotely the candidate/candidate’s guardian must record the exam.

A printed or digital copy of the front cover is required for the exam. The teacher and candidate/candidate’s guardian should verbally read out and agree the verification statement at the end of the exam.

The exam can be taken at any time within a year of entry. (You may decide to conduct the exam during the pupil’s normal lesson time).

We have produced a helpful guidance document for parents and learners on taking an MTB exam here: MTB Parent & Learner Guide

An example of an exam conducted over webcam using our app

Recording advice    Taking the exam

You can submit your exam recording using our new app or via our website if the MTB app was not used to record the exam.  You will need the exam reference number and candidate date of birth when making the submission. You will also need to provide a copy of any music used in the exam.

Upon submission the exam will then be marked by one of our specialist examiners. We have specialist examiners for each instrument we offer. For example, a piano exam will only be marked by a pianist, a violin exam by a violinist. 

Submit Exam

You will receive the result and exam marksheet via email within approximately 2 weeks of submission.*

The certificate will be posted 4-6 weeks after you receive your marksheet.** 

The certificate will be posted to the address provided in the exam entry. Some centres request that certificates go directly to them, in which case no certificate postage address will have been provided at entry and the candidate should liaise with their centre to receive their certificate.

* The result at this stage will be provisional, results are confirmed upon receipt of your certificate. Exam results may on occasion take longer than 2 weeks during busy periods or for Diploma exams which involve two markers.

**Certificates are awarded for candidates achieving pass/merit/distinction. Candidates achieving Blue or white will receive a marksheet only.