Use our Written Exam Day Checklist to help ensure you are prepared and ready to do your best in your written exam.
Print your Notice of Examination
AMEB (NSW) does not accept digital copies of the Notice of Examination. Bring a printed copy of the notice to the exam.
The enrolling person must give the Notice to the candidate before exam day. They can download Replacement Notices of Examination from AMEB Connect.
If you are sitting for a Musicianship or Music Craft, Grade 4 and above, exam you will have TWO Notices to bring to your exam:
- One for the aural component (usually held on a Tuesday)
- One for the written component (usually held on a Wednesday)
Read your Notice of Examination carefully
Check the:
- date
- time
- venue address and building level
of your exam. Your exam may be at a different venue from your previous exam.
Check for transport delays
Aim to arrive at the exam address at least 20 minutes before your exam time. Candidates who arrive after their scheduled time cannot expect to be admitted.
Check the Transport NSW website the day before and morning of your exam. Allow extra time for delays caused by traffic issues or trackwork on your train line.
If you are driving to your exam check for:
- special events or
- increased parking restrictions
that may cause travel delays.
Check Google Maps for information about your
- nearest train stations and
- parking
at your exam venue.
Remember your Candidate Number
You must write your candidate number on the:
- attendance slip and
- exam paper.
You must sign in to verify you attended the exam. Complete the attendance slip on arrival
Correct exam paper?
When you enter the exam room the exam supervisor will hand out the exam papers. Make sure you have the correct paper:
- WHITE: Theory of Music
- BLUE: Musicianship
- YELLOW: Music Craft
- GREEN: Speech and Drama Performance Theory
Students may be sitting different exams at the same time in the same venue so it is important to check you have been given the correct paper.
Use your reading and checking time
Reading time begins ten minutes BEFORE the scheduled exam time. The scheduled exam time appears on your Notice of Examination.
You may not write anything during this time.
Aural components of the:
- Musicianship and
- Music Craft
exams do not have reading time. After these exams candidates will have 10 minutes to check their work. Writing is permitted during checking time.
Bring the correct equipment
You may bring:
- pens
- pencils
- erasers and
- rulers
into the exam room.
You may not take
- mobile phones
- computers
into the exam room.
AMEB is not responsible for the loss of any items not allowed in the exam room.
No notes or rough paper
Students receive manuscript paper for rough working for all aural and written exams.
Paper products are not allowed except for:
- approved dictionaries (English or foreign language)
- required texts for Speech and Performance exams (Grade 6/7).
Approval for dictionaries
If English is not the candidates first language they may use foreign language to English dictionaries in AMEB exams. Candidates who wish to use a dictionary should email AMEB (NSW) when they enrol.
AMEB (NSW) will provide approved candidates with a letter of authorisation. This letter must be:
- printed out
- taken to the exam and
- given to the exam supervisor
before the exam begins. The supervisor will check the dictionary to confirm it:
- meets AMEB guidelines and
- does not contain any written material.
Be mindful of others
You must complete your exam in silence. Humming, singing or tapping is not allowed as it may distract other candidates.