AMEB Examinations
For the second year running our studio director, Anna Grace, was ranked in the top four most outstanding AMEB Speech and Drama teachers in the state of NSW.
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Nothing is more important than ensuring students have access to the most skilled and motivated mentors. At Grace Studios, all of our teachers are highly qualified tutors with recognised teaching accreditation from Australia's leading Speech, Drama and Music institutions– such as The Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB).
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What is AMEB
AMEB (NSW) has been inspiring excellence and supporting students' artistic achievements for over 100 years. AMEB (NSW) provides quality assessments in music and speech and drama, with more than 35,000 AMEB exams undertaken by students each year. AMEB is the most widely used assessment system in its fields of study in Australia and AMEB credentials are recognised professionally both in Australia and overseas. AMEB (NSW) is a constituted entity under the agency of the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA).
Why we teach it
A widely recognised qualification that can assist with entry into tertiary education
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The only examination body with formal links to major Australian universities and Ministers for Education
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The most widely-used assessment system for Music, Speech and Drama in Australia
Assessment from the preliminary to diploma level
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Highly-trained examiners who are specialists
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Detailed written reports for practical examinations
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Accessible syllabuses developed in consultation with teachers, parents and students
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What students learn
We teach a number of AMEB Speech and Drama syllabuses at the studio, including both practical and theoretical examinations in the solo grades for:
Drama and Performance
Voice and Communication
Musical Theatre
And practical examinations in the group grades for:
Drama and Communication
We provide an overview of our classes in the product description when you book, but you can also read about the different AMEB syllabuses by checking out an overview on the AMEB NSW webpage:
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Want more information on a specific grade? Consult your class teacher to confirm the syllabus and level (e.g. Drama and Performance Theory Grade 3) and search it here:
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About theory examinations
We encourage all students completing solo grades to prepare for theory exams. While theory is not available, or not compulsory, for some grades or syllabuses, it is a requirement to reach certificate and diploma level qualifications. Theory also greatly enhances student achievement in practical examinations which still require a theoretical knowledge, although it is not tested in a written exam.
“Speech and Performance Theory students learn how to master communicating in the English language. Students focus on the theory and analyse the functional framework of English communication. Students explore linguistic tools, vocal modulation, the use of phonetic tools and the study of theatre and communication theory.” - AMEB NSW
We know from experience that students who participate in theoretical examinations are better equipped to deal with exams in their high school and university years, are more likely to associate exams with achievement, are less likely to experience anxiety, and always develop important analytical, writing and creative skills that boost their academic performance across the board.
By working with students one-on-one we can teach in a way that is suited to their learning style, better map the student’s needs, and give them techniques for approaching exams and ‘exam conditions’ that help them to build confidence and be pragmatic.
How to enrol in an exam
Class teachers work closely with their students to set up a learning pathway tailored to the individual’s goals. Teachers will map the grades against the student’s age, experience and syllabus type, blending theory and practical examinations where appropriate.
Practical exam sessions are held twice a year, once at the beginning and once at the end, with a theory exam session in the middle of the year. We typically advise candidates to sit a total of 1-2 exams a year.
If a teacher feels that their student is ready to sit an exam, they will send a notification email to the student / parent one month prior to the exam enrolment date, and to the studio administration, notifying us of:
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The exam grade
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The exam cost
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The student’s details
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Request for any dates during the exam session for which the student has a prior commitment and could not sit the exam
Once received, the student / parent will need to respond with a confirmation of their intent to enrol and the studio administration will provide a follow up with payment details. The studio will notify the parent / student of the cutoff date for receiving payments and will process all payments one week before the enrolment deadline.
Please note, the studio does not profit from exam enrolments, we simply collect exam fees and process them with the AMEB on your behalf. This administrative work is covered in the cost of your tuition.
Following AMEB rules and regulations
Enrolment and exam dates are set by the AMEB.
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Practical exams are spread over a period of months– session one: April / May and session two Nov / Dec. Exam enrolments take place well before the exams commence.
For enrolled candidates, one month prior to the exam, the AMEB will notify us of which day in the session the exam has been scheduled. Students can not choose the day or time, but at the time of the enrolment they can notify the studio of a small number of specific days they can not attend an exam.
Theory exams are held on set dates in August and students will be made aware of the day and time of the exam when they enrol.
Late submissions incur a late fee of $60 from the AMEB + a $15 administrative fee for studio processing. Parents / students will be liable for this fee, except in the instance that the class teacher / studio failed to notify them of the exam enrolment requirements.
