Once you or your child has been learning piano for a while, a practical question tends to come up: if you want to take an exam, which board should you sit it with? In the UK the three names you will hear most often are ABRSM, Trinity College London and Rockschool. All three are recognised and respected, so the honest answer is that there is no single "best" board. There is only the board that best fits a particular learner's music, goals and temperament.
This guide walks through how the boards differ and gives you a simple way to choose. If you would first like a plain-English explanation of what grades actually are, start with our companion guide, piano grades explained, then come back here to make the decision.
Quick answer: Choose ABRSM for a traditional classical route with the widest recognition, Trinity for more repertoire freedom and flexible formats, and Rockschool if you want pop, rock, jazz or film music at the centre of your playing. All three run from an entry level up to Grade 8 and carry UCAS points at Grades 6 to 8. The best choice starts with the learner's musical goals, not the board's reputation.
Do you even need to pick a board?
It is worth saying clearly: exams are not compulsory. Plenty of learners, adults especially, never sit a single grade and still become confident, capable pianists. A good plan can be built around favourite pieces, technique, improvisation or simply the enjoyment of playing.
So the first question is not "which board" but "does an exam goal help this learner?" Some students thrive with a date, a grade and a certificate to aim for. Others feel pressured by it. If a formal goal would add motivation and structure, then choosing a board becomes worthwhile, and the rest of this guide will help.
The three boards at a glance
ABRSM
The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music is the oldest and most widely recognised board, founded in 1889 and linked to the UK's leading conservatoires. Its exams are known for a rigorous, all-round classical approach. A traditional practical exam combines three set pieces with scales and arpeggios, sight-reading and aural tests. If you want the most established classical credential, this is the default choice. You can see the current requirements on the ABRSM piano page.
Trinity College London
Trinity offers a more flexible take on the classical route. Candidates get more choice of repertoire, the option to include their own composition, and at lower grades even a duet. Trinity also publishes both face-to-face and digital formats, including a repertoire-only pathway for candidates who want to focus on performance rather than supporting tests. As a Trinity Laban alumnus (MA Distinction and the Director's Prize for education), it is an approach I know well from both sides of the exam table. The current syllabus is on the Trinity piano page.
Rockschool (RSL Awards)
Rockschool, run by the awarding body RSL Awards, takes a completely different direction, putting contemporary styles at the centre: pop, rock, jazz, funk, blues and film music. It runs from an entry-level grade up to Grade 8 and includes a performance-focused pathway with backing tracks and real-world band skills. For a learner whose heart is in modern music, it can turn practice from a chore into something they genuinely want to do. Details are on the RSL Rockschool piano page.
ABRSM vs Rockschool (RSL): classical or contemporary?
The clearest fork in the road is between ABRSM and Rockschool, because they represent two different musical worlds. Trinity sits closer to ABRSM on the classical side, so if you have already decided you want contemporary music, the real decision is usually ABRSM versus Rockschool. Here is how they compare.
| ABRSM | Rockschool (RSL) | |
|---|---|---|
| Musical world | Classical tradition: Baroque, Classical, Romantic and some contemporary classical. | Contemporary: pop, rock, jazz, funk, blues and film. |
| Typical exam | Three set pieces, scales and arpeggios, sight-reading and aural tests. | Pieces played to backing tracks, plus contemporary technical and ear-based tests, with a free-choice and performance route available. |
| The feel of it | A formal recital: solo playing, unaccompanied, in a traditional setting. | More like performing in a band: groove, feel and playing along to a track. |
| Recognition | The most established classical credential, strong for conservatoire and university routes. | Well recognised, carries UCAS points at Grades 6 to 8, respected in contemporary music education. |
| Grade 5 theory rule | Grade 5 theory (or an accepted equivalent) is required before Practical Grades 6 to 8. | No Grade 5 theory prerequisite for the higher grades. |
Two things are worth stressing. First, neither is "easier" than the other. A Grade 5 Rockschool exam is just as demanding as a Grade 5 ABRSM exam; the demands are simply different. Second, this is not a lifelong commitment. Many students build a classical technical foundation with ABRSM or Trinity and play contemporary repertoire alongside it, and some switch boards as their interests grow. A good teacher makes that transition feel coherent rather than disruptive.
So, in short: if the goal is classical playing, a conservatoire path, or the most traditional credential, lean ABRSM. If the learner lights up at pop, film and jazz and wants that to be the main event, lean Rockschool.
How to choose: four questions
Start with the learner, not the logo. These four questions usually lead to a sensible answer.
1. Do they enjoy classical repertoire?
A learner who is excited by sonatinas, Romantic miniatures or Baroque dances will usually enjoy an ABRSM or Trinity route. Both are classical, but the repertoire choices and assessment options differ, so it is worth looking through the current syllabus with a teacher before buying books or booking an exam. Syllabuses change, so rely on each board's current published requirements rather than old forum advice.
2. Do they want to play pop, jazz, film or contemporary music?
If contemporary styles are the draw, Rockschool is the natural fit, with a syllabus that spans pop ballads, film themes, jazz standards and more. That said, plenty of students combine a classical foundation with contemporary playing, so this is rarely an either-or for life.
3. Do they prefer a live exam or a digital submission?
The assessment experience matters. A face-to-face exam feels exciting and rewarding for one student, while another produces their best work through a carefully prepared video performance. ABRSM and Trinity both publish face-to-face and digital options for piano, though the detail varies by qualification. If exam nerves are a real factor, a digital route can be a kinder path.
4. Are they motivated by a formal goal?
Some students thrive with a date and a certificate to aim for. Others become tense or overly perfectionistic. Neither response is unusual. An honest conversation about motivation, practice time and wellbeing should come before committing to a timetable, whichever board you choose.
Do you need Grade 5 theory before higher grades?
This is one of the most common parent questions. For ABRSM Practical and Performance Grades at Grades 6 to 8, candidates must first have passed Grade 5 or above in an accepted music-theory, practical-musicianship or jazz qualification before they can book. That rule does not apply to every board or route, so always check the official regulations before planning an upper-grade entry. We cover the full detail, including the accepted alternatives to the theory paper, in do you need Grade 5 theory before Grade 6 piano?
Do piano grades give UCAS points?
Higher grades can carry UCAS tariff points, with the exact eligibility depending on the board, the level and current UCAS arrangements. ABRSM, Trinity and Rockschool all attract UCAS points at Grades 6 to 8. It is a helpful addition to a university application, but it should not be the only reason a young person takes an exam. The wider value, sustained effort, planning, performance skill and confidence, matters more.
Are online lessons good for exam preparation?
They can be, when the technology, instrument setup and teaching plan are right. Online work makes it straightforward to annotate music on screen, replay feedback and keep practice materials and lesson recordings in one place. At Keynote Lessons the teaching approach supports ABRSM, Trinity, Rockschool and LCM preparation, as well as non-exam learning. You can read more on the piano lessons page, or if you are local, see how piano lessons in Chester work.
Where should a beginner start?
If you or your child is a complete beginner, do not rush the board decision. The first priority is learning to sit comfortably, read simple patterns, keep a steady pulse and enjoy making music. If reading is the main barrier, short and regular practice beats occasional long sessions, and you can make note recognition more automatic with the free practice tools before bringing the skill back into real music. The right board tends to become obvious once those foundations are in place and the learner's tastes are clear.
A free 20-minute consultation is a simple place to start. We can talk through current experience, musical interests, whether an exam is useful, and which board or format is most likely to suit. Book a free consultation and we will map out a calm, realistic next step.
Frequently asked questions
Which piano exam board is easiest?
It is not helpful to think in terms of easy and hard. Each board sets a comparable standard at each grade; they just test different musical worlds. The board that suits the learner's interests will always feel the most achievable, because the music is one they actually want to play.
Can you change exam boards later?
Yes. Students often change board as their repertoire interests or assessment preferences shift. A teacher can identify any skills that need consolidating and make the move feel coherent rather than disruptive.
Is ABRSM better than Rockschool?
Neither is better; they serve different goals. ABRSM is the more traditional classical credential, while Rockschool is built for contemporary players. For a conservatoire or classical path, ABRSM makes sense. For pop, rock, jazz and film, Rockschool is the stronger fit.
Do you have to take the grades in order?
No. A learner can start at a suitable level and does not have to sit every grade. In practice a teacher will still build the underlying skills in a logical sequence, even if the student does not enter every exam.