Sep 8

How Long is the Grade 5 Music Theory Exam?

If you're planning to take the ABRSM Grade 5 music theory exam, here's the short answer: the exam lasts a maximum of 2 hours (120 minutes). It's taken online, on demand, at a time you choose, and it's marked out of 75. You need 50 marks to pass. 

However, if you're a parent booking for a child, or an adult learner planning your day around the exam itself, the useful answer is that the entire exam (including pre-exam setup and checks) is closer to 3 hours. Allow roughly 2hours 30minutes or 2hours 45 minutes in total, to include all these checks before the exam clock starts. 

The Exam at a Glance

Exam length Up to 2 hours
Format Online (taken at home)
Total Marks 75
Pass Mark 50 (60=Merit, 65=Distinction)
Booking Anytime of year, no fixed exam dates
Exam Window Taken anytime within 28 days of making the booking
Results Usually within 4 weeks

How Timing Works on the Day

The 2-hour timer starts once the exam itself begins. Before that, the exam software will take you through a setup process: checking your webcam and microphone, showing your photo ID, scanning the room, and photographing any rough paper you'll use to confirm it's blank.  ABRSM suggest to allow between 15-30 minutes for these checks. 

Once the exam itself starts, a countdown timer stays visible on every screen, so you always know how long you have left.

Can You Get Extra Time?

Yes! ABRSM offers additional time for candidates with a range of specific needs, including specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia. These must be selected when booking as they cannot be added afterwards.

Providing you have supporting evidence, for the online ABRSM Grade 5 exam the options are:

  • Standard additional time: 40 minutes extra. ABRSM suggests this option if the candidate normally receives 25% extra time at school

  • 50% additional time (3 hours in total) or 100% additioanl time (4 hours in total) if tha'ts the candidates usual way of working and they have supporting documentation. 

A Few Things to Note

  • You pick the time. There are no fixed exam dates for Grades 1-5 ABRSM Music Theory exams. You exam link appears in your ABRSM account within approx. 3 hours of booking, and you then have 28 days to sit the exam, at any time of day you choose.


  • Under 18s need an adult at the start. A responsible adult must be in the room to help with setup. They can stay for the whole exam but can't help with any answers


  • Check ABRSM's maintenance dates. The exam system closes for short maintenance widows every few weeks, so pick a slot that avoids them

How Long Should you Spend on Each Question?

With 75 marks available in 120 minutes, each mark is worth about 96 seconds on average. Don't stall on one hard question: flag it, move on, and come back. Two marks chased for ten minutes costs you marks elsewhere, and most lost marks at Grade 5 are slips rather than gaps in knowledge, so leave a few minutes at the end to check.

Ready to pass Grade 5 Theory First Time?

Get Grade 5 Theory is the only online learning platform which takes you through every topic on the syllabus, with interactive exercises, worked examples and mock exam questions which match the exam format. Register for a free account to acces the first two modules completely FREE!

Frequently asked questions

Can I finish the Grade 5 theory exam early?

Yes. You can submit whenever you're ready within your time limit. If you finish early, use the remaining time to check any flagged answers before submitting.

How long until I get my results?

Usually within about 4 weeks of taking the exam.

Is the Grade 5 theory exam hard?

It's the most demanding of the online grades, particularly transposition and irregular time signatures. The marking is forgiving, though: you can drop 25 of the 75 marks and still pass.
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