BSEH Secondary Music Instrumental exam-day guide
BSEH Secondary Music Instrumental · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original ID document in the name used on your registration. Confirm with the provider which forms of ID are accepted and whether a photocopy is permitted; do not assume a school ID will be accepted.
Admission or appointment confirmation
Print or download any confirmation email, candidate number, or scheduling notice the provider issues. Have it accessible on paper as well as on your phone in case device use is restricted in the testing area.
Instrument and personal accessories
Bring your primary instrument plus any items you normally rely on: reeds, strings, rosin, valve oil, sticks and mallets, neck strap, capo, tuner, metronome, and spare batteries. Confirm with the provider whether you must supply your own instrument or whether one is provided at the site.
Printed repertoire and score copies
Bring clean, legible copies of every piece you plan to perform, with your part clearly marked. Confirm with the provider whether an accompanist is provided, whether you must bring your own, and whether page-turn or photocopy rules apply.
Warm-up materials
Pack long tones, scales, arpeggios, and a short technical routine you can run quietly. Confirm with the provider whether a warm-up room or instrument is available before your slot.
Water and a light snack
Keep hydration modest before performing and avoid heavy food immediately before your slot. Confirm with the provider what is allowed inside the testing room, since some sites restrict food and drink.
Layered, professional clothing
Choose attire that allows full range of motion for your instrument and reads as professional. Avoid noisy jewelry, loose sleeves that catch on keys or strings, and heavy cologne or perfume.
Written plan of your program order
Write down the order of your pieces, keys, tempos, and any cuts. Confirm with the provider the maximum performance time and whether you may choose your own starting order.
Review the assessment criteria
Read the published scoring domains for the instrumental practical component and note which are weighted. Confirm with the provider the exact rubric, pass mark, and how the practical score combines with any written or portfolio component.
Plan the route and arrival buffer
Check travel time, parking, and building access in advance. Arrive early enough to register, unpack, and settle; confirm with the provider the reporting time and any late-arrival policy.
Emergency contacts and provider phone number
Save the provider's contact number and the site address on your phone and on paper. Confirm with the provider the procedure if you are delayed or unable to attend.
Leave prohibited items at home
Do not bring notes, phones, smart watches, or recording devices into the testing room unless the provider explicitly permits them. Confirm with the provider the full list of prohibited items and where bags are stored.
Plan the day
Run a full timed mock performance under exam conditions: same program order, same pauses, no stopping to fix mistakes. Record it if you can and listen back for tempo drift, intonation, and unclear articulation. Write down the three fixes that will give the largest score gain and rehearse only those.
Confirm logistics in writing: reporting time, site address, room number, instrument and accompanist arrangements, and ID requirements. Contact the provider if any answer is unclear rather than guessing.
Service your instrument: replace worn reeds or strings, check pads and corks, oil valves, tighten screws, and test stands and straps. A mechanical failure on the day is avoidable.
Protect your body and sleep. Reduce heavy playing volume, avoid new physical activity, hydrate, and keep practice sessions short and focused rather than long and fatiguing.
Do a light technical session only: slow scales, long tones, and the openings of each piece. Stop before fatigue. Do not attempt new repertoire or major interpretive changes at this stage.
Pack the instrument case completely and place it by the door. Lay out ID, confirmation, score copies, warm-up materials, water, and clothing. Charge your phone and set two alarms.
Rehearse your spoken introduction briefly: your name, candidate number, and the titles and composers of your pieces. Confirm with the provider whether a spoken introduction is expected.
Eat a normal, light meal and avoid excessive caffeine. Do a short warm-up of five to ten minutes on the instrument or mouthpiece, then rest your embouchure or hands before traveling.
Arrive with a buffer of at least thirty minutes before your reporting time. Register, locate the warm-up space and restrooms, and confirm the running order with the site staff.
Set up deliberately: check your stand, tuning, seat, and posture before beginning. Take one calm breath, establish the tempo in your head, and start only when settled.
If you make a mistake, keep going. Restarting repeatedly costs more in continuity and musical impression than a small slip. Recover rhythm first, then pitch and tone.
Follow examiner instructions exactly on sight-reading, aural tasks, technical exercises, or interview questions. If an instruction is unclear, ask for clarification before starting rather than after.
At the end, thank the examiners, pack your instrument carefully, and take all belongings. Confirm with the provider whether results, feedback, or a score sheet are released later and how you access them.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID that matches your registration name. If your name has changed or your documents differ, contact the provider before the exam date to confirm what evidence is acceptable.
Arrive at the reporting time stated by the provider. Late arrival may result in refusal of entry or reduced time; confirm with the provider the exact late-arrival and rescheduling policy rather than assuming a grace period.
Do not bring unauthorized notes, phones, smart watches, or recording devices into the testing room. Confirm with the provider where to store bags and whether any device may be kept for accompaniment or tuning.
Follow the examiner's instructions on program order, time limits, repeats, and cuts. If you are stopped partway through a piece, stop promptly and move on; this is normal time management, not a penalty.
Breaks are not guaranteed during a short practical slot. If you have a documented need for a rest break, an extended time allowance, or a separate room, request it through the provider's accommodations process well before the exam date.
Treat examiners and site staff professionally. Arguing about the rubric, the running order, or the room conditions during the exam will not change the outcome; raise concerns in writing with the provider afterward.
Scoring is based on the published assessment criteria for the instrumental practical. Confirm with the provider the exact domains, weightings, and pass requirement, and do not rely on secondhand claims about how marks are awarded.
Keep your instrument and accessories with you and secure at all times. The provider's responsibility for lost, stolen, or damaged instruments is usually limited; confirm with the provider before leaving valuables on site.