FAQ for Teachers & Parents

Results are typically released within a few weeks after the exam sitting closes. You will be notified via email once your results are available on the candidate portal.

Your results will be available in the candidate portal at the candidate portal. Log in using the email address used during registration and navigate to 'My Results'.

Certificates are dispatched after results are officially processed, typically within a few weeks of results release. They will be mailed to the address on your registration form.

We apologise for the error. Please email us a photo of the certificate along with the correct spelling and your registration number. We will arrange for a replacement.

Deferral requests are handled on a case-by-case basis. Please submit a written request with your reason and registration number. Note that deferral may not always be possible depending on the sitting schedule.

You can check your exam registration status by logging into the candidate portal at exams.rockschoolasia.com using the email address you registered with. Navigate to 'My Registrations' to view your status and exam details.

Results for the current sitting are expected to be released within 2 weeks of the F2F exam sitting closing. You will receive an email notification when results are available. If you have not received results after the expected period, please contact us with your registration number. For RDE, it will be released 2-3 weeks after submission.

Yes, students may record their RDE video in advance. However, registration must be completed and payment received before an email with the upload link is sent. Please register at exams.rockschoolasia.com

The RDE registration for the 2026 opens on 1 January through 15 December 2026.

Rockschool grades are independent of other examination boards (Trinity, ABRSM, etc.). A candidate who has passed Grade 5 with Trinity may register for Rockschool exams at an appropriate grade, but there is no automatic exemption or equivalency. We recommend starting at a grade that reflects the student's current level. Please consult with the teacher for guidance.

Yes, all Rockschool candidates sitting for Grade 6 and above (including Grade 8) are required to present a valid identification document (IC, passport, or student ID) at the exam centre before the exam begins. Please ensure the candidate brings their ID on exam day.

Thank you for your enquiry.Kindly refer to the fee sheet.

RDE (Remote Digital Exam) and Face-to-Face exam fees are different..Kindly refer to the fee sheet.

We do not offer individual group discounts at this time. If your school is registering a large batch, please contact us directly so we can discuss options.

Kindly refer to the fee sheet. Late payments for Face to Face exams may result in your registration not being processed.

Our refund policy does not cover withdrawals after registration is confirmed. However, in special circumstances, please submit a written request with supporting documents and we will review your case.

A late registration penalty applies per candidate for registrations received after the standard deadline. We recommend registering before the deadline to avoid this charge.

Thank you for your message. Waiver of the late registration fee is considered on a case-by-case basis. Please send us a brief explanation along with the candidate details and registration, and we will forward this to our manager for review.

Exam fee transfers or refunds for method changes are subject to our policy and the current sitting schedule. Please contact us with the candidate's registration number and details of the change, and we will review your request.

Face-to-Face (F2F) exams are conducted at an approved exam centre with a physical examiner present. RDE (Remote Digital Exam) is conducted online via a recorded video submission. Both lead to the same official Rockschool certificate.

Switching exam methods after registration is possible. During the exam period, you will need to contact us as soon as possible with your registration number so we can check if a change is possible.

RDE is available for Debut to Grade 8 for all instruments. Please confirm your instrument and grade so we can verify availability for the current sitting.

Please share your location (state/city) and we will point you to your nearest approved exam centre.

Yes, for the RDE (Recorded Digital Exam), candidates may record their performance at home, at their school, or at their music centre. The recording environment must meet the required technical standards (lighting, audio, angle). Please refer to our RDE guidelines: our website (rslawards.com).

Yes, for RDE practical exams, candidates are expected to play their exam pieces with the backing track (where provided in the syllabus). Playing without a backing track may affect the exam outcome. Please refer to the syllabus guide for your instrument: our website (rslawards.com).

Yes, for the Rockschool Vocal RDE, you must record all components (exam pieces and technical exercises) in one continuous take. Please ensure each section is clearly performed in sequence. Refer to the RDE filming guide for full details: https://www.rslawards.com/graded-music-exams/recorded-digital-exams/

For the RDE format, Improvisation & Interpretation and Ear Test sections are not included — candidates perform their exam pieces and technical exercises. Kindly refer to the guidelines - https://www.rslawards.com/graded-music-exams/recorded-digital-exams/

For the RDE, candidates are expected to perform with a backing track where one is provided in the syllabus. However, if a backing track is not available for a particular piece, the candidate should include a count-in with their drumsticks. Please refer to the drums RDE guide:https://www.rslawards.com/graded-music-exams/recorded-digital-exams/

For the 2025 Piano syllabus, candidates are only required to perform from memory from grade 4 onwards. All groups are played without the metronome or click. Please refer to the syllabus guide for full technical requirements. https://www.rslawards.com/piano-grades/

For the Rockschool Piano (not Classical Piano) exam, exam pieces are performed with a backing track where provided. Using the backing track is expected as part of the performance. Please refer to the Piano syllabus guide for your grade: https://www.rslawards.com/piano-grades/

That is correct — RDE Graded requires 3 exam pieces plus all technical exercises; sight reading and ear test are not required.

If a student performs an exam piece in a transposed key, they will need to provide their own transposed backing track. For F2F exams, please bring the transposed backing track on a USB drive or device to pass to the examiner. For RDE, include the transposed backing track in the recording. Please notify us in advance if a transposition is involved.

The Rockschool Acoustic Guitar syllabus is designed for steel-string acoustic guitar. While a classical (nylon-string) guitar may be used, please note that the tonal and technical expectations are based on a steel-string instrument. We recommend checking with the examiner beforehand if in doubt.

For Rockschool Drums exams, each piece in the syllabus is designated as either with or without a click track (backing track). Candidates must follow the designation in the syllabus book for each piece — they cannot freely choose. Please refer to your grade syllabus for the specific requirements.

For Rockschool Graded Exams (both F2F and RDE), candidates are permitted to use their book during the exam. Memorisation is not required. However, the exam book must be the official Rockschool publication (not a photocopy).

For the Rockschool Acoustic Guitar exam, an amplifier is not required. The exam is performed on an unamplified acoustic guitar. However, for Electric Guitar exams, an amplifier is required. Please confirm the specific instrument and grade so we can advise correctly.

For the RDE, your video file should be named clearly with the candidate name, instrument, and grade (e.g., JohnTan_Piano_Grade3). Please also ensure that the candidate introduces themselves at the start of the video. Full labelling requirements are in the RDE submission guide:https://www.rslawards.com/graded-music-exams/recorded-digital-exams/

For the Ukulele RDE, the format is: 3 exam pieces + technical exercises (Group A, B, C as per grade).Sight reading,ear test and General Musicianship Questions (GMQ).are not required for RDE. Please refer to the Ukulele syllabus guide for your grade: https://www.rslawards.com/learn-ukulele/

For the Ukulele RDE, using a pickup (plugged-in) sound is acceptable as long as the audio quality is clear and balanced. Please ensure the recording audio is not distorted or clipping. Refer to the RDE filming guide for audio standards: https://www.rslawards.com/graded-music-exams/recorded-digital-exams/

For the Drum Grade 4 Performance Certificate, a maximum of 2 pieces may be selected from Rockschool Drums Classics. The remaining pieces should come from the Grade 4 Drums book. Please verify against the current syllabus guide: our website (rslawards.com).

Thank you for your interest in RSL Trumpet and Saxophone exams. These instruments are available under the RSL syllabus. To arrange exams in Malaysia, please contact us with your instrument, grade, and preferred sitting period so we can advise on availability.

A mirror-image video may cause confusion during the exam assessment, particularly for instruments where hand position is important (e.g., piano, guitar). We strongly recommend re-recording with the correct camera orientation to avoid any potential issues with the examiner.

For the Rockschool Vocal Grade 5 F2F Graded Exam, the required components are: 3 exam pieces, technical exercises (which include scales and other technical work), sight reading, improvisation & interpretation, ear test, and GMQ. Please refer to the Vocals syllabus guide for the full component list: https://www.rslawards.com/learn-vocals/

For Stageschool group performance: minimum 2 performers; performance duration varies by grade (please check the syllabus guide); there are no mandatory costume or specific lighting requirements, but candidates should present themselves appropriately. Full details: https://stageschool.io

Please follow these steps to upload your RDE submission: 1) Log into the candidate portal at the candidate portal. 2) Select your registered exam. 3) Click 'Upload Submission' and follow the on-screen instructions. 4) Ensure your file is in MP4 format and under the specified limit MB. 5) Click Submit and save your confirmation number.

RDE video submissions must be in MP4 format. Please ensure your video meets the minimum resolution and file size requirements as specified in the RDE guidelines: our website (rslawards.com).

We're sorry to hear that. Please try the following: 1) Check your internet connection. 2) Use a different browser (Chrome recommended). 3) Clear your browser cache. 4) Ensure the file size is under the limit. If the issue persists, please contact us with your registration number and we will assist you directly.

The submission deadline for the current sitting is the deadline stated for your current exam sitting. Late submissions will not be accepted. Please ensure your upload is completed and confirmed before the deadline.

Once a video is submitted, it cannot be replaced unless there is a verified technical error on our platform. Please review your recording carefully before submitting.

We apologise for the inconvenience. Please share the candidate's registration number and we will check the upload link status on our end. Upload links are typically activated within 7 working days of registration confirmation. We will look into this and update you promptly.

Go to https://www.rslawards.com/graded-music-exams/recorded-digital-exams/ section. It covers filming setup, audio requirements, video format, and submission steps. Please download and review it before recording.

Please try re-uploading your video in MP4 format (H.264 codec recommended). Ensure the file is not corrupted by playing it on your device before uploading. If the issue persists, please share your registration number and we will assist you directly.

Once a video has been submitted, resubmission is not automatically permitted. Please contact us immediately with your registration number and details of the issue. We will review your case and advise whether a resubmission can be arranged.

Submitted RDE videos are confidential and are used solely for examination purposes by the RSL examiner. Sharing the video with parents or third parties is not part of our standard process. Results and examiner feedback are available via the candidate portal after results are released.

Go to rslawards.com. Log in and go to " Access Resources & E-Books". Enter the access code printed inside your book to download the tracks.

Please send us your order reference or proof of purchase from rockschoolasia.com/shop and we will generate a new link for you.

Audio access is tied to the original purchase. If the access code has already been used, we are unable to provide a replacement at no cost. Please contact us with proof of purchase if you believe otherwise.

Please try the following: 1) Use a different audio player or browser. 2) Re-download the file. 3) Check if the file downloaded completely. If the issue continues, please let us know which track and device you are using.

Download links are for the registered purchaser only and should not be shared. Each student who needs access should obtain their own copy of the book.

There are no limits but should you have difficulty downloading them, kindly send proof of purchase and we will send the audio files to you.

Please send us a photo of the inside cover of your book of the access/download code, along with your proof of purchase. We will verify and assist with a replacement link.

Backing tracks for Wider Repertoire Free Choice Pieces are not provided by Rockschool — candidates are expected to source or arrange their own backing tracks for these pieces. Official backing tracks are only provided for pieces within the Rockschool exam book. Please confirm your grade so we can advise further.

Download links are tied to the registered purchase. If you have already downloaded the files, the link will no longer be active for a second user. We recommend that each student downloads their own files using their own access code.

You may buy the Rockschool books from our local online store rockschoolasia.com/shop

Rockschool books are currently published in English only. There is no Malay edition at this time. We will pass on this feedback to our team.

Sample pages for some Rockschool titles may be available on the official Rockschool website at www.rslawards.com.

We're sorry for the inconvenience. Please provide your order reference number and contact details so we can trace your order and update you on the delivery status.

The Rockschool 2018 BGD syllabus can still be used and there is no expiry date. For other instruments, please share the specific instrument and grade you are asking about so we can confirm the current validity status.

Rockschool Popular Music Theory past-year exam papers are not publicly available. However, Rockschool publishes workbooks and practice materials to help students prepare. These are available via our store or from authorised distributors.

Unfortunately photocopies of Rockschool books are not accepted for exams. Each candidate must present the official published book. If a replacement book is needed urgently, please contact us and we will do our best to assist with an emergency order.

Rockschool publishes syllabus guides and supporting materials for teachers. These are available via the RSL Awards website rslawards.com. Please share the specific instrument and grade so we can advise on what is available.

Digital books are licensed per individual. A single receipt does not cover multiple students. Each student who requires the digital book for their exam must purchase their own copy. Please contact us if you would like to discuss bulk ordering of physical books.

Students who purchase the digital (ebook) version of a Rockschool book may print selected pages for use during the exam. It is not necessary to print the entire book. However, please ensure the printed pages clearly show the official Rockschool publication details.

No. RSL currently offers an Alto Saxophone syllabus.

Yes. Since 2018 pieces have no expiry date you may mix pieces from GBD 2018 and GBD 2024.

We will announce any new syllabus launches via our official channels as soon as details are confirmed. Please follow our social media pages or contact us to be added to our mailing list for updates.