What You Need to Know About the ABRSM 2025–26 Piano Syllabus: A Parent’s Guide

If your child is learning piano, you’ve probably heard of the ABRSM piano exams — a worldwide benchmark for musical achievement. With the release of the 2025–26 syllabus, many parents are wondering what’s new and how they can best support their young pianists. Here’s a simple guide to help you understand what’s changed and how to help your child thrive!

🎵 What Is the ABRSM Piano Syllabus?

The ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) offers graded music exams from beginner level right through to advanced. Each syllabus outlines:

• Set pieces that your child can choose to perform

• Technical requirements (scales, arpeggios, broken chords)

• Sight-reading and aural tests to assess musicianship skills

🎼 What’s New in the 2025–26 Piano Syllabus?

Here’s a quick summary of what’s exciting about this new syllabus:

• Fresh Repertoire Choices:
  Each grade now includes even more music by underrepresented composers, including women and artists from diverse backgrounds. This means your child can explore a wider variety of musical styles and cultures.

• Flexible Exam Options:
  ABRSM continues to offer two types of exams:

  • Practical Grades: Traditional exams with performance, scales, sight-reading, and aural tests.

  • Performance Grades: Focused entirely on performance, ideal for children who love showcasing their playing without the pressure of sight-reading on the day.

• Updated Aural Test Material:
  The aural tests now include new listening exercises to help develop your child’s ear for music in a more intuitive way.

• Technical Exercises That Feel More Musical:
  Scales and arpeggios are still there, but teachers are encouraged to frame them in a more musical and playful way, making practice less of a chore!

How Can Parents Help?

• Encourage exploration: Listen to the new set pieces together. Ask your child which pieces they feel excited about.

• Understand the exam type: Discuss with your teacher whether a Practical or Performance Grade best suits your child’s personality.

• Celebrate small wins: Progress isn’t just about passing exams — praise their efforts at mastering a tricky scale or learning a few bars of a new piece.

• Support steady practice: Little and often is better than long, stressful sessions.

🎹 Final Thoughts

The new ABRSM 2025–26 piano syllabus opens exciting doors for young musicians to discover music they truly connect with. As a parent, your encouragement and understanding will make a huge difference, turning exams from a source of pressure into a celebration of their musical journey.