About Self-grading

ACMS members grade themselves into five levels of competence from Grade 1 (highest) to Grade 5 (lowest).

You can work out your grade by using our interactive Self-Grader.

Before You Start

Remember that self-grading is not a hard and fast science. Everyone's interpretation of the questionnaire will be personal to some extent. You may like to consider the following explanations, which might help to clarify things for you.

Should I have practiced these pieces?

These are simply example pieces, typical of what you might encounter when playing your instrument in an appropriate chamber group. They are not "test pieces" in any sense.

What does "At Sight" mean?

It means that if someone put that piece or one of a similar standard in front of you, you would be able to play it as part of a group. You would not be expected to get all the notes right, but you would expect that the group would be able to play through without stopping.

What does "1 - 3 Days" mean?

It means that if someone asked you to play the piece or one of a similar standard, you would need a few days' notice so that you could have a look at it it, play it through a few times, go over some harder passages and work out how to play them. It does not expect that you would be note perfect, just that the group would be able to play through the piece without stopping. If some notes are dropped but the group stays together that is fine.

What does "Not within a week" mean?

Simply that you would need to do some serious work on the piece to be able to have a chance at playing it with a group.

My instrument is not listed, what should I do?

Is there a similar instrument listed, one that you are familiar with and can look at the examples given? How much experience do you have with your instrument and how do you see yourself in relation to others who play it?

I don't think I got my grading right, can I do it again?

Yes, of course you can. You can re-do the assessment any time you want and update your profile whenver you want.