COVID-19 and AMEB SA & NT Exams

2 April 2020

We have a dedicated webpage explaining new exam formats we're offering as alternatives to in-person exams. Go to: Online Practical Exams

26 March 2020

Dear Teachers, Candidates and Parents,

I'm writing to advise that we have decided to halt AMEB in-person, practical exams for the next several months. The health and wellbeing of our staff and students are our priority, and we feel that holding practical exams at this time is not in the best interest of our SA and NT communities.

The University of Adelaide continues to monitor and remain responsive to the COVID-19 situation and AMEB SA & NT will continue to adapt to the changing landscape, but at this stage, we anticipate that these exams won’t be held in the same format until September or later. We have closed enrolments for May Session 2 and all sessions leading up to September.

Where possible, we will be moving our exams to an Online Exam Session! Unfortunately, given the speed at which the current situation has developed, we haven't yet been able to finalise all details, but we'll be posting these to our website and contacting you as soon as we have an update.

If you already have a candidate enrolled and would like to know what options are available, please refer to the below table. Online exam alternatives are explained in more detail below this table.

Scenario	Options	Action Required
For candidates already scheduled for an exam in March Session 1/April Session 1	1. Free transfer to our Online Exam session. There will be online exam formats available for Speech and Level 1 and 2 Music in April. We hope to be able to provide an online solution for Music Diploma exams, but cannot provide information on this at this stage. 2. Free exam change from Comprehensive to Repertoire (if applicable) and transfer to our Online Exam session: Online exams for Repertoire are entirely pre-recorded and involve no live component. If a candidate wishes to change their Comprehensive Exam to Repertoire, this would be done free-of-charge. It is worth noting that Grades 5 to 8 Repertoire exams are also recognised by SACE and can be counted towards community learning at Stage 1 and/or Stage 2. 3. Free medical transfer to a later in-person session (as well as the option to upgrade the exam) We will transfer your enrolment to the next suitable session (e.g. Rockschool July enrolments could be deferred to the Rockschool October/November session). There will be an option to upgrade the exam, if the difference between exam fees is paid. If you transfer to a later 2020 session and the COVID-19 situation is still unresolved, we will offer a free medical transfer to 2021.	Please notify the candidate of this change. We will unschedule your enrolment and await an email from you outlining how (based on the options outlined) you would like to proceed with the enrolment.
For candidates enrolled in April Session 2, May Session 1, Darwin May, Alice Springs May and Diploma July.	Please notify the candidate of this change. We will await an email from you outlining how you would like to proceed.
For candidates enrolled in May Session 2 or any other session that has not reached its closing date.	An email has been sent to you outlining options for your enrolment.	Please notify the candidate of this change. Please find and read the email “Important: AMEB SA & NT practical exams are moving online – this affects your enrolment”, and action accordingly.

Scenario

Options

Action Required

For candidates already scheduled for an exam in March Session 1/April Session 1

1. Free transfer to our Online Exam session. There will be online exam formats available for Speech and Level 1 and 2 Music in April. We hope to be able to provide an online solution for Music Diploma exams, but cannot provide information on this at this stage.

2. Free exam change from Comprehensive to Repertoire (if applicable) and transfer to our Online Exam session:
Online exams for Repertoire are entirely pre-recorded and involve no live component. If a candidate wishes to change their Comprehensive Exam to Repertoire, this would be done free-of-charge. It is worth noting that Grades 5 to 8 Repertoire exams are also recognised by SACE and can be counted towards community learning at Stage 1 and/or Stage 2.

3. Free medical transfer to a later in-person session (as well as the option to upgrade the exam)

We will transfer your enrolment to the next suitable session (e.g. Rockschool July enrolments could be deferred to the Rockschool October/November session).

There will be an option to upgrade the exam, if the difference between exam fees is paid.

If you transfer to a later 2020 session and the COVID-19 situation is still unresolved, we will offer a free medical transfer to 2021.

Please notify the candidate of this change.

We will unschedule your enrolment and await an email from you outlining how (based on the options outlined) you would like to proceed with the enrolment.

For candidates enrolled in April Session 2, May Session 1, Darwin May, Alice Springs May and Diploma July.

Please notify the candidate of this change.

We will await an email from you outlining how you would like to proceed.

For candidates enrolled in May Session 2 or any other session that has not reached its closing date.

An email has been sent to you outlining options for your enrolment.

Please notify the candidate of this change.

Please find and read the email “Important: AMEB SA & NT practical exams are moving online – this affects your enrolment”, and action accordingly.

The Online Exam Session

The Online Exam session is open for current and new enrolments until (at this stage) September. There will be no structured session dates or times, but we will work with the candidate/account holder (where applicable) and examiner availability to ensure exams are assessed in a timely manner. We anticipate that examining will commence in April.

We have provided as much information as possible below, but please feel free to defer any decision-making regarding exams (if you prefer) until you feel all your questions have been answered. We have unscheduled all practical exams where they were previously scheduled and we will wait until we hear from you (in writing) before actioning any transfer or exam change.

Online Exams for Practical Speech

These will be conducted live via Zoom. Enrolments will be accepted and examinable from now to September (at this stage). In the 'Scheduling Requests' section of the enrolment, please specify when the candidate/s will be ready for examination and list any unsuitable dates and times. There will be additional instruction provided soon.

This live, online format would be best suited to individual candidates or groups of 2, as social distancing may prevent larger groups from participating.

Online Exams for Practical Music

AMEB State Offices are currently working with the Federal AMEB on potential solutions for online exams and we will keep you updated of any developments. However, at this stage, we can confirm AMEB SA & NT will offer the following until further notice (from April):

Recorded Repertoire Exams

AMEB’s Repertoire Exam format has no technical work, aural tests, sight reading or general knowledge components that require communication between the candidate and examiner. The Repertoire Exam can therefore be offered in a recorded format; candidates can record and submit their pieces for assessment by an AMEB SA & NT Examiner. Instructions on how do to this will soon be available.

There will also be a 'For Leisure Repertoire' exam on offer, which will include pieces only. We will be able to offer this alternative as soon as it is released nationally.

Online Comprehensive and For Leisure Exams

AMEB SA & NT will be trialling these exams online. They will consist of a pre-recorded component (Sections I and II) and a live component (Section III). We will provide more information on this very soon, including how Aural, Sight-reading and General Knowledge will be tested in the live component.

Online Music Diploma Exams

At this stage, we hope to have an online format available for Diploma exams, but cannot confirm the availability of one as yet. We will keep you updated with any developements. Our complimentary Performance Evaluations will be available in a pre-recorded format.

A note about accompaniments

If the exam requires an accompanist, then the candidate will need to record with accompaniment. AMEB produces recorded accompaniments for most instrumental syllabuses from Preliminary to Grade 3 (Grade 4 for Percussion) and these are available for download from the AMEB Shop.

Where it is safe to do so (in line with current government restrictions and social distancing recommendations) any recorded components requiring accompaniment can be made with an accompanist.

There may be further advice on accompaniments in the coming weeks.

CHANGE TO AMEB SA & NT HOURS OF OPERATION

Our office is currently minimally staffed and we would appreciate any enquiries to be submitted via email where possible.

AMEB SA & NT's hours of business will change from the 30th March. Our office premises at the University will not be staffed, as all staff will be working remotely. We’ll be available by:

Email 9am-5pm Monday to Friday (except on Public Holidays), and
Phone (08 8313 8088) 9am-1pm on these days (if you receive a call from us, it may appear from a private number).

Please take care of each other and stay safe. And please feel free to contact us if you have any concerns or questions.

AMEB SA & NT

Authorised by:	Manager, AMEB
Maintained by:	Web Maintainer, AMEB