Live Exam FAQs

RIAM syllabi can all be found online, in a suitable format for download. To view them visit our Exams Syllabi page

RIAM Exam fees are relative the time taken in exam, with the higher the grade correlating to the longer time required. A full list of exam fees can be on the Exam Dates & Fees page.

Our online application system allows you to set up your own account, book your exam, and view your results all online. Payment for all exams must be completed online with card* payment only.

To visit the online applications portal follow this link: https://exams.riam.ie . Postal applications cannot be accepted.

* All major credit and debit cards are accepted. (Revolut and Paypal are currently not supported.)

Live exams
Once you’ve applied and fully paid for an application you will receive an email letting you know your application has been received. We will follow this up with the date/time/venue of the exam once it has been scheduled

Digital recorded exams
When applying for an exam, you will chose your preferred upload timeframe. Your confirmation email will contain the upload link and the upload timeframe dates.

Please note: You will not receive a subsequent email with your exam times, as you have will already selected this earlier. 

The RIAM grace period allows the current syllabus to be used for an extra exam session, for example, the 2022 Piano Albums may be used in the first session (Spring Exam) of 2023. You cannot combine syllabi from various years. 

For more information, visit our web page on the Exams Grace Period.

If you are unhappy with your exam result, you may wish to appeal the result. In order to appeal your result, you should fill out the appeal form, and contact our appointed personnel in charge of the process. 

More information about how to appeal the exams visit our appeals page here.

Yes, candidates should provide their own music stand.

(The RIAM cannot provide music stands in any other exam centres, except for exams conducted in the RIAM, 36-38 Westland Row, Dublin 2)

Pieces that require accompaniment must be accompanied in a live exam. Read the syllabus carefully for instruments and pieces that require accompaniment. Note that not all pieces are accompanied. Performing a piece with or without accompaniment where not appropriate, will mean a mark cannot be awarded for that piece.

Yes, candidates should supply their own accompanist.

Use of a recorded accompaniment or backing track is not permitted in a live exam, with the exception of Music Theatre, where candidates are permitted to perform one song with a backing track.

Yes, candidates should bring a copy of pieces for examiners for all instruments, including singing and music theatre. For piano, this applies only to pieces not in the piano albums for Grades VI– VIII and the Senior Certificate grade.

Unauthorized photocopying is illegal. Use of photocopied music in an exam is permissible only when the original music is also in the exam room. Failure to produce original music in any exam will result in disqualification.

Legally downloaded music can be used in exams. Candidates should bring proof of purchase for sheet music bought online in cases where ‘authorisation for use’ does not appear on the music.

Yes, candidates should bring their music even if they are playing from memory. Failure to produce original music in any exam will result in disqualification.

Results can be viewed online once they are processed. Certificates and result sheets will follow via post as soon as possible after this. 

In the unusual circumstance of a mistake on your certificate, please contact us immediately at examsoffice@riam.ie. We will ask you to return the certificate with error to avoid duplication, and we will send you the revised version immediately. 

Please contact the office at examsoffice@riam.ie if you require replacements. Please note there is an administration fee for replacement certificates.

RIAM stands for Royal Irish Academy of Music, Ireland’s oldest and leading music conservatoire. To find out more about RIAM, and look at the study options for students, please vist www.riam.ie

A list of many of our teacher supports and resources can be found on our Teacher Supports page. You’ll find a variety of teaching aids and guides to help you in your professional practice. 

We also have an Exam Supports page which provides helpful resources for the candidate. 

You can find RIAM Publications in music shops across the country. These are listed on our Exam Publications Retailers page.