Exams, Dates & Payment

All students entered for examinations are required to have completed at least 75% of their coursework prior to the exam. All assigned work must be finalized no later than three weeks before the examination date, enabling students to approach their exams with calmness, confidence, and enjoyment.

Students represent the school and its standards. Any student who does not engage seriously with the examination process will not be permitted to sit the exam, resulting in the forfeiture of the exam fee.

Please note that examination fees are paid directly to the respective music boards, not to Keenan School of Music. The school's role is strictly limited to administrative processing.

Examinations are conducted under the auspices of ABRSM, RIAM, LCM, Trinity, or Rockschool. Music Medals are offered through ABRSM, RIAM, and TCL.

Exam payments must be made promptly upon request from Keenan School of Music to ensure deadlines are met; the school does not cover examination fees.

When registering students for exams, Keenan School of Music, Castleknock assigns an examination week within the timeframe provided by the music boards, based on teacher workload, to ensure proper preparation and commitment.

Where feasible, teachers will utilize scheduled lessons prior to the examination. Teaching may conclude earlier in the second semester as a result.

The designated exam week is submitted to the music board four weeks in advance. Specific dates and times are communicated by the music board to Keenan School of Music three weeks prior to the examination.

Parents and students must recognize that examiners travel from the U.K. to conduct assessments. This entails significant planning and coordination. The privilege of hosting examiners at our school is not universal; therefore, it is not possible to alter the date, time, or location of the examination.

For candidates taking exams at alternate centres, the allocated date and time are final and cannot be changed to accommodate individual preferences.

Examination hours for ABRSM are Monday to Saturday, 9:00am - 6:00pm. RIAM and Rockschool also offer Sunday sessions.

Exam durations vary according to grade level, and last-minute exchanges are generally unfeasible unless the grades match exactly and the examiner approves the change.

Candidates withdrawing for personal reasons, such as conflicting commitments or insufficient readiness, are not eligible for refunds.

In the case of withdrawal due to illness and presentation of a valid medical certificate, partial or full refunds may be available, subject to the relevant music board’s refund policies. Please refer to the specific board’s rules and regulations for details.

As an officially registered music school with ABRSM, RIAM, LCM, TCM, and Rockschool, all examinations are processed under the school’s applicant number. All correspondence with the music boards must be conducted through Keenan School of Music; direct contact from candidates or parents is not permitted.

Examination results are sent directly to Keenan School of Music, Castleknock. Upon receipt, parents and guardians will be notified promptly.