How your students’ repertoire pieces are marked

Each syllabus has a specifically designed mark sheet. NMEs’ Mark Sheet Report has been developed to help reduce the subjectivity of music-making assessment. Generally for graded exams repertoire pieces are marked out of 25. These 25 marks are sub-divided into 5 element marks. These elements are specific to the instrument/singing and that is being examined. These elements are specific to the instrument/singing and grade that is being examined.
For example: Ukulele Grade 1

Element	Maximum Element Mark
Timing	5
Tempo	5
Note Accuracy	5
Fingering	5
Touch/Tone	5

Additional component marks

Generally the maximum mark for additional components of a graded exam is 25.

For example: Contemporary Piano – Grade 1

	Maximum Mark
Keyboard Harmony OR Playing a Piece From Memory	15
Musical Knowledge	10

Overall, Graded exams are marked out of 100

Achievement bands:

	Mark
Pass With Distinction	90
Pass With Merit	80
Pass Mark	60
Below Pass Mark	59

How are Popular Songwriting exams marked?

Debut Level and Breakthrough Level

Part One

NME’s Level Mark Sheet has been developed to help reduce the subjectivity of music creation assessment. Each original composition carries 40 marks. These 40 marks are sub-divided into 4 element marks.
For example: Popular Songwriting Breakthrough Level

Element	Maximum Element Mark
Establishment of a hook	10
Effectiveness of lyrics	10
Structure with modulation	10
Conviction of presentation	10

Part Two

A maximum of 20 marks are awarded
For example: Popular Songwriting Debut Level

	Maximum Mark
The candidate will be required to discuss with the examiner how each song was composed providing rough, initial workings.	20

Overall, Level exams are marked out of 100

Achievement bands:

	Mark
Pass With Distinction	90
Pass With Merit	80
Pass Mark	60
Below Pass Mark	59

Artist Level

Part One

NME’s Level Mark Sheet has been developed to help reduce the subjectivity of music creation assessment. Each original composition carries 25 marks. These 25 marks are sub-divided into 5 element marks.
For example:Popular Songwriting Artist Level

Element	Maximum Element Mark
Use and selection of keys	5
Vocal harmony and instrumentation	5
Establishment of a hook and maintaining interest	5
Inventiveness and originality	5
Conviction of presentation	5

Part Two

A maximum of 25 marks are awarded
For example: Popular Songwriting Artist Level

	Maximum Mark
Transcription	10
Discussion with the examiner detailing candidates’ personal method of songwriting, providing initial working to illustrate	15

Overall, Level exams are marked out of 100

Achievement bands:

	Mark
Pass With Distinction	90
Pass With Merit	80
Pass Mark	60
Below Pass Mark	59