Recently, some of my students took the remotely assessed MTB (Music Teachers’ Board) violin exams. Here is my take on different aspects of the MTB exam experience.
Why did we decide to go for MTB?
MTB offered a viable option, when the exam options were closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. MTB accredits the same UCAS points as other boards for Grade 6 – 8, and student could use pieces set for the other boards. These were reasons enough for students and I to give it a try!
How is the exam recorded?
MTB has an app that guides through the exam recording process. We didn’t realise at first that it was Audio recording only! For a better sound quality, I used a Blue Yeti USB microphone attached to an iPhone. In the height of the lockdown, I conduced the exam over Zoom while student’s mum recorded the exam at the other end. I also conducted and recorded a few exams at my house when the restrictions were lifted.
Preparation
Up to now, we used the 2019 syllabus for all exams (2020 syllabus is out now). MTB accepts pieces set by other exam boards under their free choice option, so most students chose to play 3 pieces form the ABRSM syllabus that they were working on. This fulfilled MTB’s recital requirement of 2 pieces and a technical study which could be replaced by another piece. Some students chose to play a non-syllabus piece at the required standard, and all I had to do was to email MTB to get their approval if I wasn’t sure. Scales coincide with ABRSM more of less, but MTB have a few more advanced scales. There is an alternative option to play scales with different rhythmic and bowing patterns from a sheet music. Short technical exercises did not take too long to learn, and reading the listening skills could all be pre-practised. On average, the extra preparation beyond what the students had done already for an ABRSM exam took between 2 – 4 weeks.
What I had in the Exam
-
Exam cover sheet which was emailed after submission
-
Syllabus with everything covered in the exam (and scales list, important!)
-
USB microphone and iPhone
-
Computer and speakers to play the backing tracks and reading/listening test audio
Piano accompaniment
MTB doesn’t require a piano accompaniment under the circumstances due to the pandemic. Some students played with backing tracks while other went solo. This didn’t seem to affect the marking at all. Nothing can beat having a piano accompanist in the exam, to bring out the live performance effect from the student, but it has been useful to have other options.
Results
The result came via email to me (teacher) in about one week, followed by a certificate in the post a few weeks later. In my first student’s case, it took much longer – perhaps due to the pandemic chaos? The comments were typed, positive and seemed to fit the marks awarded. There were references to articulation and dynamics as well, which I wondered may be difficult to assess on an audio recording. We couldn’t tell who marked the exam as there was no name given.
Parents’ and Students’ Feedback
“When I saw that the number of UCAS points/Ofqual was exactly the same as the ABRSM, this removed all my reservations about the MTB brand and credibility”
“MTB are very accessible if you have questions before or after the exam. I never had to stay on a call waiting line for 20 minutes (as in the case with other exam boards).”
“There’s no examiner watching you and you don’t need to worry about the reason why the examiner is either offering a blank expressing, growing or even worse, yawning….”
“The fact that you can re-record your performance is a big plus. The only gruelling decision to make is to delete the previous recording without any guarantee that the next one will be better!”
The Final Rundown
Students and I both have had positive experiences, and it’s a thumbs-up! It took a little time to get used to the process, as with anything new, but I am a lot more comfortable. I would definitely continue to use MTB exams along side face-to-face exams and will look at their 2020 syllabus in detail.
Pros
- Free choice of pieces – MTB accepts pieces set by other exam boards.
- Flexible – MTB can be entered and submitted whenever the recording is done, within 1 year of entry, so there is no time pressure. Also, for me it is easier to incorporate MTB exam in my lesson planning, because with face-to-face exams, it’s not always possible to get the exam date that we want.
- More relaxed exam environment – at home or in my house, with me conducting the exam.
- Reading and listening skills tests- good to have in an exam as they assess the student’s musicianship. Digital exams by other boards do not offer these skills tests.
- Positive and transparent marking – comments fitting the marks and marked by a specialist in the instrument.
Cons (or, things to consider…)
- No exam date – it would be a really good idea to decide on an exam recording date in advance, as otherwise the preparation could carry on with no clear target.
- Exam conducted by the teacher in a familiar environment – this can be positive / negative, depending on the student, because some may feel more adrenaline and perform better in a live session with an external examiner.
- Readily available reading & listening skills tests – all the exercises can be pre-practised. For a higher-level assessment, it would be good to have a surprise element, like being sent new listening / reading tests at the time of the recording.
- Anonymous marking – it would be nice to have the name of the examiner mentioned on the results sheet, for a personal touch especially because all comments are typed and not hand-written.
Visit the MTB Site for more info
Pingback: Thoughts on Parental Help - Sanae's Violin Studio
Pingback: Experience with ABRSM Performance Grade Exam - Sanae's Violin Studio