Audio and Video

MTB Exams are designed to be flexible and accessible. This means you can take your exam in a multitude of environments. There are some conditions to consider however:

• There should be minimal background noise. Recording an exam outside is not suitable.
• If you are using the MTB app to record and submit your exam please ensure that you always have the device recording the exam in the room with the candidate as they perform. The app should not be used to record in a different location i.e. not in the room with the teacher if they are conducting the exam remotely.
• Before starting the exam recording, make sure yourself or your teacher uses our video and audio (depending on your allocation) testing features, built into the MTB app, to ensure clear video lighting or audio levels. There should be no distortion (see our tips below).
• Ensure your device is fully charged and has an internet connection available for uploading.

Audio:

• Moving your device to a different location can help with audio distortion. Try adjusting the range from the instrument, moving a couple of feet away at a time until you find a balance of instrument clarity and volume.

Video:

• The exam venue you choose must be well lit and the examiner must be able to clearly see the whole of the candidate playing and their instrument. If the size of the room is limited then the examiner must see at least the hands, face and instrument.
• Candidates may stand or sit for their performance.
• There should be no obstructions between you and the camera.
• The candidate should not have their back to the camera.
• Tripods and stands will enable you to obtain the best viewing angles, but they are not compulsory. Good viewing angles can still be achieved by placing your device side on, on a stable surface facing the candidate.
• Both portrait and landscape mode are acceptable for submission.
• Consideration should be given to the placement of the music stand so that it does not obscure the performer.
• A third party is allowed to film the exam by holding the device, however the phone must be kept still, and the microphone must not be covered throughout the duration of the exam. This option is less suitable for the higher grades, as these are often quite lengthy exams. Footage that is shaky or consistently moves to such an extent that it is unable to be examined will not be accepted.

Piano & Keyboard:

• When recording a piano exam, the camera should be to the side, so that the keys and the candidates face, and hands are visible.

Drum kit & Percussion:

• Whilst sitting on your stool, the entire candidate should be visible. The camera should be placed at eye level to the side so that the hands and feet can be seen clearly. The device should be placed a reasonable distance from the drum kit to avoid sound distortion.

Brass, Woodwind, Strings & Guitar:

• The examiner must be able to clearly see the whole of the candidate playing and their instrument. If the size of the room is limited then the examiner must see at least the hands, face and instrument.

Singing:

• The examiner must be able to clearly see the whole of the candidate, if the size of the room is limited then the examiner must see at least the face of the candidate. Using a microphone is not permitted for Singing syllabus but is optional for Contemporary Singing syllabus.

When your recording has ended you will have an opportunity to review your exam. At this point, you can decide whether to keep the recording, or whether to restart. Once you have saved the recording you should:

• Take pictures of all sheet music and provide the piece names. This can be done when submitting on either the website or the app.
• If conducting a video exam, the candidates photo ID must be submitted. Again, this can be done when submitting on either the website or the app.
• Valid forms of ID include a passport, driver’s license or national identity card. If the candidate is unable to provide one of these forms of identification, you can download and complete the alternative verification form here.

Photo & ID Guidance

• If you are conducting this exam by yourself, either because you are a self-learner or your teacher is not present, you may have a third-party present during the recording. If it is a teacher conducted exam they are not classed as a third party.
• Third parties are permitted to assist you with a limited set of roles you will need to complete the exam. The third-party may:
  • Turn the pages on your sheet music
  • Provide accompaniment
  • Assist with the technology for the exam – either its recording or the playing of recorded accompaniments
  • Hold the device to record the examination
• The third-party is not allowed to give you any prompts, such as verbal or non-verbal cues regarding timing or tempo. If this occurs penalties may be applied, or the exam may be disqualified.

If taking a performance exam, please consider the following:

• A performance exam is designed to assess a recital, including your stage presence, fluidity of performance and verbal/non-verbal communication with your audience/examiner. Audiences are optional for performance grades and can comprise any number of people.
• As such, you may want to consider setting up a wider view-angle of the candidate. This can be between 1-5 metres distance from the camera, dependent on your venue (the higher end of 5 metres for use during a stage performance).
• The camera should be positioned from the perspective of the audience watching the performance where possible.

When submitting your exam through our website submission portal you may use several file types depending on the format of your exam.

For Audio:

• .mp3
• .wav
• .ogg
• .m4a

For Video:

• .mp4
• .mkv
• .mov

We will keep your exam media files for 12 months after the date of submission, at which point the exam media files will be deleted. We will archive and keep a record of your exam details and your results so that we can reissue certificates should they be needed after this point.*

* MTB may store a limited number of exam recordings and files for a longer period for training purposes for MTB authorised personnel & contractors.

It is the responsibility of the person entering or submitting an MTB exam with a candidate under the age of 18* to ensure that the parent/guardian is made aware that their children will be taking part in a video exam and that appropriate permission has been obtained before conducting the exam. We have produced a consent form which can be used if required here.

MTB offer audio exam routes for some exam types/grades which can be utilised by audio approved centres as an alternative to videoing an exam. UK centres are approved to offer audio exams upon registering, international centres can apply for audio exam status here.

How we mitigate risk for learners and MTB personnel:

• There is no direct contact between MTB examiners/staff and the candidate during MTB assessments.
• MTB securely store media files of exams for 12 months at which point they are automatically deleted.
• Video or audio exam files and ID’s are accessed and stored on MTB’s Exam Management System which is only accessible to MTB authorised personnel & contractors.

You can view our Video Safeguarding Policy here for more detailed advice on this area.

*You should always gain parental consent for children aged under 16. For young people aged 16 and 17, you should decide whether parental consent is necessary depending on the activity, your country’s laws and the young person’s circumstances. If you decide parental consent isn’t necessary, you should still consider whether parents or carers need to be informed that their child is taking part. In most circumstances, parents have a legal parental responsibility for their children up to the age of 18.