RIAM Exams: How to Prepare, Practise & Perform Your Best
Updated: Oct 6
A little preparation can go a long way – not only in helping you feel more confident, but also in making sure you can enjoy the experience and show the examiner what you’ve been working on.
Here are some of our top tips for preparing for your RIAM exam.
Know the Details
First things first: make sure you know where and when your exam is!
Double-check the date, time and location of your exam. It sounds simple, but you don't want to be worrying about directions or arrival times on the big day.
We also recommend packing everything you need the night before. Put your music, instrument, and any other resources you need together so you're not rushing around looking for things at the last minute.
Arrive Early
Give yourself plenty of time to get to the venue, especially if you're travelling through busy areas where traffic could cause delays.
Arriving early means you can:
Get comfortable in the environment
Warm up properly
Look over your music
Take a few deep breaths
Mentally prepare yourself for the exam
There is nothing worse than arriving with only a few minutes to spare and feeling flustered before you've even played a note!
If you already know the venue, try visualising yourself in the exam room beforehand. Imagine walking in, getting settled and performing your pieces.
Feeling nervous is completely normal – try to turn that nervous energy into positive energy and excitement.
Don't Forget Your Outfit!
Your exam outfit might seem like a small detail, but it can actually make a big difference.
We recommend practising in the outfit and shoes you plan to wear for your exam.
Playing piano? Make sure your shoes are comfortable and that you can use the pedals easily.
Playing a string instrument? Check that your top allows enough movement for your arms and bow.
Playing a woodwind instrument? Avoid anything too tight so that you can breathe comfortably.
The last thing you want is to discover on exam day that your outfit is restricting your movement!
Embrace the Practice Journal
One of our favourite practice tools is a practice journal.
Think of it as your musical checklist. Before you start practising, write down what you want to achieve based on the amount of time you have available.
For example:
Today I have 30 minutes. My goals are:
B Major Similar Motion: High finger exercise and build evenness through dotted rhythm practice (2mins).
B Major arpeggio: Work on wrist rotation and connection of sound (2mins).
Piece A (10mins)
Bar 5: Work on LH (left hand) chord changes – shadow practice.
Bar 1-16: Add in dynamics – 2 bars at a time.
Bar 6-8: Bring out melody in LH – hum along to the melody.
Piece B (10mins)
B1-4: Learn the notes through block chords practice. HS first
Then chord LH and play RH (right hand) as written
Then try HT (hands together) slowly – count out loud – use a metronome – no pedal
Finish with one complete performance of the scales and two pieces (6mins).
After practising, write down what went well and what you need to focus on next time.
And remember: there is a difference between practising and playing!
Perform for Your Friends & Family
One of the best ways to build confidence is to perform your pieces for other people.
Ask your family or friends to sit and listen while you play your pieces from beginning to end.
This helps you get used to:
Playing while someone is watching
Recovering from mistakes
Performing without stopping
Managing those pre-performance nerves
You might even want to ask them not to interrupt or give you feedback until you've finished, just as you would in an exam.
The more familiar you become with performing in front of others, the less intimidating and more enjoyable it can become.
Look After Yourself Before the Exam
Finally, remember that preparing for an exam isn't just about practising.
Think about what makes you feel comfortable and relaxed on the day.
What food works well for you before an exam? What helps you feel calm?
For example, I always liked having strawberries or some kind of fruit before an exam or going on stage because it helped me feel more relaxed.
Everyone is different, so try things out during your preparation rather than experimenting for the first time on exam day!
Most importantly, remember that nerves are completely normal. Your goal isn't necessarily to get rid of them – you can learn to use that energy to help you focus and perform.
You've Got This! 🌟
An RIAM exam is an opportunity to show how much you've learned and how far you've come. Don't aim for perfection – aim to be prepared, musical and confident.
Break your practice down into manageable goals, give yourself enough time, and remember to enjoy the music along the way.
And if you have any questions about RIAM exam preparation, get in touch with us! We'd also love to know what you'd like us to cover next.
Happy practising! 🎵
Comments