Many people decide not to sit for their music exams out of fear or nerves, and while it’s true that the process can be rather nerve-wracking, it’s well worth it in the long run. Here are a few reasons why we recommend that you take them:

A good reason to practise
When you’re working towards something, it urges you to try harder, which means that you’ll be practising more and therefore improving faster. Sometimes laziness gets the better of us and we don’t practise as much as we should at home, but having an exam coming up will automatically push you to work harder.

Learn to control your nerves
Even the most relaxed people feel nervous before and during an exam, but the more you expose yourself to the pressure of performing, the more you’ll be able to control your nerves. This will come in handy not only in future exams and performances, but also in every-day situations that may cause anxiety.

They might come in handy
If you’re considering taking up music professionally, having even a few certificates could help. Whether you dream of becoming a music teacher, producer, conductor, performer, or even studying to become a music therapist or something of the sort, having sat for exams will definitely work in your favour.

A sense of achievement
Sitting for an exam can give you an idea of how good you are, which is a great confidence-booster, especially if you don’t think you’re doing very well. Focus on perfecting your technique and believing in yourself – you might be surprised at how well you do. If you don’t do so well, take it in your stride and work towards a better grade the next time round.

Know your instrument inside-out
Whether it’s an instrument or your singing voice, sitting for music exams helps you to ultimately improve your skills better. Through regular practice, patience, and determination, not only will you increase your chance of getting good grades, but you will also get to know your instrument inside-out, which will help you a great deal – especially if you wish to pursue a career in music.

So there you have it, 5 great reasons to sit for your music exams. Just try to focus on the experience rather than the grades themselves to take off a bit of pressure and make the experience more pleasant. Click here for some great tips on how to prepare yourself for an exam, and be sure to get in touch with the School of Popular Music if you’re interested in taking music lessons or sitting for an exam.

Found this helpful? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more!