• The AMEB tradition extends back to 1887. 
• In this time we have developed a comprehensive system of evaluation in all major areas of Music, as well as Speech and Drama. Today we provide the broadest range of support and assessment available. 
• Our syllabus designers and examiners are experts in their respective fields, and we are the only examination body with formal links to the major Australian Universities and Ministers for Education.
• When it comes to supporting teachers and nurturing achievement in students, the AMEB truly is the measure of excellence.  

Our Commitment to Quality

• The AMEB’s commitment to quality means that students who pass exams receive a qualification which is widely recognised and respected. 
• For students who plan to go on to tertiary studies, AMEB exams are recognised as the benchmark for entry into tertiary institutions Australia-wide. 
• Our awards are also recognised internationally by such prestigious institutions as Cambridge University Overseas Examination Board.

What does the Australian Music Examinations Board offer?

• A qualification that is widely recognised and respected.
• The only examination body with formal links to major Australian Universities and Ministers for Education.
• The most widely-used assessment system for Music, Speech and Drama in Australia. 
• Criteria and standards of performance which are understood nationally.
• Syllabuses across a wide range of musical instruments, from beginner level to tertiary entrance standard.  Singing syllabuses for classical and contemporary singers.
• Graded material for use in teaching, including recordings and other resources.
• Contemporary Popular Music courses with backing tracks.
• Speech and Drama Syllabuses.
• Teaching qualifications in Music, Speech and Drama.
• Theory and musicianship assessments.
• Highly-trained examiners who are specialists in their instrument.
• Detailed written reports for practical examinations.
• Fresh and accessible syllabuses developed in consultation with teachers, parents and students. 
• A wide range of repertoire available in the manual lists, in addition to AMEB publications. 
• Publications which have been designed and developed by leading  practitioners and deliver:
 o Exceptional value for money.
 o A convenient way of purchasing all the music you require for your exam in the one book. 
 o An excellent range of music specially selected for each grade.

About the AMEB

History

The Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) arose out of a programme of public examinations in music initiated in 1887 by the University of Adelaide.  Subsequently, the Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) emerged in 1918 as a national body with the purpose of providing graded assessments of the achievements of music students.  Later, examinations were also provided for students of speech and drama.

Purpose

The Board provides syllabuses across a wide range of musical instruments, as well as in singing, theory of music, musicianship, and speech and drama.  It has become the most widely-used assessment system in these fields of study in Australia.  The success and high regard for Australian musicians at an international level has been partly due to the encouragement of young performers in this country through their participation in AMEB activities. 

While one of the chief functions of the Board is to set examination standards of a high order,  it also strives to offer all students access to some of the best repertoire for study purposes, whether they subsequently sit for the examinations or not.  Through its publications, the Board strives for the highest editorial standards of presentation together with advice on interpretation from some of the leading practitioners in the country.  The Board has a commitment to including compositions by Australian and New Zealand composers in its publications and syllabuses.

Federal Board

Overall direction of these activities is the responsibility of a Federal Board consisting of representatives of educational institutions which are signatories to the AMEB constitution, namely the Universities of Melbourne, Adelaide and Western Australia, the Minister for Education and Training, New South Wales, the Minister for Education, Queensland, and the Minister for Education, Tasmania, through the University of Tasmania.

The success of the AMEB’s role in developing standards of performance and scholarship has been achieved though the support of teachers in all States.  A collaborative approach is used in the development of syllabuses, and views are sought from teachers in all areas of the Board’s work.  With the assistance of its examiners and specialist panels, the Board will continue to work in association with teachers to provide encouragement for students and the sense of achievement that is an outcome of participation in its syllabuses and examinations.  The Board believes that its activities ultimately lead to the enhancement of the cultural life of the community.

AMEB as a national benchmark

AMEB exams are recognised as the benchmark for entry into tertiary institutions throughout Australia. Links to these institutions are provided through the Universities of Melbourne, Western Australia, and Adelaide, along with the Ministries of Education in New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania.

AMEB sets criteria and standards of performance which are understood nationally.

Syllabuses and Assessment

Through its examination programme, AMEB is dedicated to the importance of developing artists' skills to the highest levels of proficiency. With this in mind, the syllabuses focus on technical proficiency (scales, etc.), stylistic understanding, musicianship and performance. AMEB exams are recognised as part of the process in a student's development, providing a focus in the course of study.

AMEB syllabuses are comprehensive and allow for some degree of flexibility in that teachers are able to tailor individual and challenging programmes of study relevant to different students at particular grade levels. To aid in this, each grade is provided with a wide range of pieces from which teachers and students can make their selections.

Each AMEB syllabus has been designed to encourage a student's understanding of the importance of developing technical standards. Alongside the learning of an internationally accepted repertoire, this is seen as being crucial to the development of a successful performing artist.

AMEB awards are the only awards which relate specifically to Australian standards in music (performance). At the same time, our awards are also recognised internationally by such prestigious institutions as Cambridge University, UK.

Material from baroque, classical, contemporary, and jazz repertoire features in AMEB syllabuses. This ensures students are able to make future repertoire choices from a position of practical knowledge.

Material written by composers in the Pacific/Asia region is actively included in the AMEB syllabuses.

All material in AMEB syllabuses is selected by eminent performing artists and teachers - each a recognized specialist in their field. Syllabuses include piano, electronic organ, violin, viola, cello, double bass, trumpet, french horn, trombone, tuba, flute, clarinet, saxophone, recorder, percussion, guitar, singing, popular voice, popular keyboard.

Specialist assessment in specialist instruments is offered wherever possible. For example, piano examiners for piano candidates, string examiners for string candidates.

A wide range of publications including grade books, theory analysis guides and past theory papers are available to teachers. Teacher handbooks provide further analysis of pieces, performance notes etc. Approximately 200 titles are currently available.

Candidates may progress from Preliminary to Grade 8 practical exams without pre-requisite requirements. From Grade 6, however, an additional examination is required. This additional requirement need not be completed before the practical examination, but, until both the principal examination and the additional requirement are passed, the examination is incomplete, and no certificate will be awarded.

For Grade 6, 7 and 8 candidates, a theoretical understanding of music is encouraged as an important addition to performance skills. Candidates are therefore required to achieve a Pass or Credit in Theory or Musicianship Grades 3-5 (as outlined in the Manual of Syllabuses) before receiving certificates for the respective practical grades.

AMEB offers two types of written exams: theory of music dealing with rudiments of music, and musicianship, which has a focus on the development of aural skills. An exciting new theory of music syllabus called Music Craft is about to be introduced in 2006. Initially it will cover Level 1, preliminary to fourth grade, and each grade includes an aural component in each grade

AMEB fees are very competitive.

Exam reports are comprehensive and fully reflect the given performance in traditional academic format.

Attractive, academic certificates are issued in the names of the signatory bodies: Universities of Melbourne, Western Australia, Adelaide, and the Ministries of Education in New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania.