Internationally recognised music exams.
Music you actually want to play.
Rockschool and RSL Classical exam preparation in Riga for children and adults. From your first steps to Grade 8.
- RSL Awards
- Regulated qualifications in the United Kingdom
- Debut to Grade 8
- For children and adults
- Contemporary and classical music
- UCAS points from Grade 6 to Grade 8
What this is, and who it's for
Rockschool and RSL Classical are music examination qualifications, regulated in the United Kingdom, awarded by RSL Awards. The Rockschool route covers popular and contemporary music — piano, vocals, guitar, bass guitar, drums and other instruments. The RSL Classical route covers classical piano, violin and classical guitar. Both routes run from the beginner level, Debut, through to Grade 8, and can be taken by children and adults at any age and experience level. RPMS teachers assess your current level, recommend the right grade and route, and prepare you for every part of the exam — from repertoire to performance confidence.
Two routes. One international standard.
Both routes follow the same RSL Awards grade system — from Debut to Grade 8 — but lead through entirely different repertoire and experience.
Rockschool
A contemporary exam system for those who want to play the music they listen to outside the practice room too. Pop, rock, soul, funk, indie, jazz and other contemporary genres are combined with clear technical and musical progression.
- Piano
- Vocals
- Electric Guitar
- Acoustic Guitar
- Bass Guitar
- Drums
- Ukulele
RSL Classical
Classical music for the contemporary musician. A structured route for piano, violin and classical guitar, with a broad repertoire, technical development and an internationally regulated qualification system.
- Classical Piano
- Violin
- Classical Guitar
The path from Debut to Grade 8
Choose a grade to see what it means.
Grade 4
More demanding repertoire, sharper technique, deeper musicality.
Rockschool Piano additionally offers an introductory Premiere stage — even ahead of Debut — for those who want to start with the very first steps at the piano.
Do I have to start at Debut?
No. The right starting level depends on your, or your child's, current playing experience, not on age. An RPMS teacher will assess your existing skill level at the first meeting and recommend a grade to start with — that may well be Debut, but more experienced players are often better suited to a higher grade.
How does an RSL exam work?
Three routes to the same recognised grade — choose whichever best fits your goal. None of them is "easier" or "better" than the others — they simply place a different emphasis.
Grade Exam
The full format- 60% Performance pieces
- 15% Technical exercises
- 10% Sight reading, improvisation or Quick Study
- 10% Ear tests
- 5% General musicianship questions
The classic and most widely chosen exam format. Three prepared pieces make up the largest share of the mark, complemented by technical exercises, a sight reading or improvisation task (a Quick Study Piece at higher grades), an ear test and brief general musicianship questions.
Kam piemērots: Suited to anyone who wants a full, well-rounded assessment — of playing, technique and listening alike.
Exam books you actually want to open.
RSL's published exam books bring together repertoire, technical work, supplementary tests and professionally produced learning material in one place. Every grade is published as a carefully designed edition — not a set of scattered photocopies.
RiFF — RSL's digital learning technology
RSL's RiFF technology offers interactive digital learning tools alongside the printed books — interactive notation, looping a passage, changing the tempo, and video material. Shown below is an illustrative impression of the kind of digital workflow involved — RPMS does not itself provide or distribute these tools; they are part of RSL's own published material.
- The current Vocals syllabus includes 12 tracks per grade, and its RiFF resources additionally include individual instrument stem mixing.
- The current Acoustic Guitar syllabus includes nine tracks per grade, along with interactive notation and video playthrough material.
- The Piano syllabus is currently the 2025 edition.
Choose your instrument
Every instrument follows the same grade system — from your first steps to Grade 8.
Rockschool
RSL Classical
From your first lesson to exam day.
We assess your level
We evaluate current playing experience, skills and goals to understand where to start.
We build an exam plan
Your teacher recommends the right route, grade and repertoire for your, or your child's, goals.
We prepare every part of the exam
Lessons combine repertoire, technique, musicianship, listening and — where relevant — exam skills.
We prepare you for a confident performance
We use mock-exam formats and final preparation so exam day feels familiar rather than a surprise.
A qualification with international value.
RSL Awards is a British awarding organisation. Its qualifications operate within the United Kingdom's regulated qualifications system. In selected instrumental programmes, Grade 6 through Grade 8 additionally carry UCAS tariff points.
UCAS points are used within the United Kingdom's higher education application system. Individual universities set their own admissions requirements.
UCAS points by grade
| Pakāpe | UCAS punkti | |
|---|---|---|
| Grade 6 | 8–12 | |
| Grade 7 | 12–16 | |
| Grade 8 | 18–30 |
Exams aren't only for children.
Many adults want more than simply "playing a bit". RSL grades give a clear goal, measurable progress and a professionally assessed result. You can prepare for an exam at your own pace, choosing — together with your teacher — the level that suits your experience and musical interests.
Progress you can see and understand.
For a child, an exam grade is a concrete, achievable goal — not a vague "we'll keep having lessons". Every grade gives a clear, internationally understood mark of the level reached, and progress is visible from one grade to the next. Your teacher will keep you informed of your child's readiness and the right pace — never pressure to sit an exam sooner than they're ready.
Repertoire that sounds current.
Rockschool syllabuses are regularly refreshed with pop, rock, soul, funk and other contemporary genre pieces — music students actually listen to and want to play, not just textbook examples. RSL Classical syllabuses, meanwhile, offer a wide choice of classical repertoire at every grade.
Questions and answers
Frequently asked questions about Rockschool and RSL exams
What is Rockschool?+
Rockschool is RSL Awards' contemporary music exam system for popular and contemporary music — piano, vocals, guitar, bass guitar, drums and other instruments — with grades from Debut to Grade 8.
How is Rockschool different from traditional music exams?+
Rockschool's repertoire is drawn from pop, rock, soul, funk and other contemporary genres rather than classical repertoire alone, but the assessment structure — performance, technique, listening and musicianship — is just as thorough and structured as in traditional exams.
What is RSL Classical?+
RSL Classical is RSL Awards' classical music exam route for classical piano, violin and classical guitar, using the same grade system from Debut to Grade 8.
Can adults take RSL exams?+
Yes. There's no age limit on RSL exams — they're taken by children and adults alike, from complete beginners to experienced musicians.
Which grade should I start with?+
You don't have to start at Debut. The right starting grade is determined by current playing experience, not age — an RPMS teacher will assess this at your first meeting.
Which instruments are available?+
On the Rockschool route — piano, vocals, electric and acoustic guitar, bass guitar, drums, ukulele, saxophone, trumpet and trombone. On the RSL Classical route — classical piano, violin and classical guitar.
How does a Grade Exam work?+
A Grade Exam includes three prepared pieces (60% of the mark), technical exercises (15%), sight reading, improvisation or — at higher grades — a Quick Study Piece (10%), an ear test (10%) and five general musicianship questions (5%).
What is a Performance Certificate?+
A Performance Certificate is an exam format made up of five performance pieces, without a separate technical exercise or ear test component.
Does RSL Grade 8 carry UCAS points?+
Yes — in the relevant instrumental programmes, Grade 6, 7 and 8 carry UCAS tariff points (Grade 8: 18 to 30 points depending on the result). UCAS points are used within the United Kingdom's higher education application system, and individual universities set their own admissions requirements.
Can the exam be taken digitally?+
RSL offers several exam formats, including live-streamed and recorded digital exams, as well as face-to-face exams where available. An RPMS teacher will recommend the right format for your situation.
Is an exam compulsory for RPMS students?+
No. Exam preparation is an optional offer for students who want internationally recognised confirmation of the level they've reached.
Can I study at RPMS if I don't want to take an exam?+
Yes. Most RPMS students learn without an exam goal — exam preparation is an additional option for those who want it.
How do I find out which grade suits me or my child?+
Register your interest, and an RPMS teacher will assess your current playing level at the first meeting and recommend the right grade and route.
The exam fee depends on the grade and exam format chosen. Before you register, our team will confirm the current fee and the most suitable exam type.
Your next musical goal now has a clear path.
Whether you're preparing for your very first music exam or for Grade 8, our team will help you choose the right RSL route, teacher and preparation plan.