How I Passed ABRSM Piano Performance Grade 8 5x Faster Than Average (Part 1): My Journey

When I tell people I completed ABRSM Grades 5, 7, and 8 in just over a year, most assume I'm some kind of musical prodigy. The reality? I started piano in third grade, took plenty of breaks and didn't even know what ABRSM was until I was about to enter seventh grade.

The average student takes about 8 years to reach and pass Grade 8, doing one grade per year. My timeline from first ABRSM exam (Grade 5) to Grade 8? About 16 months. From when I first touched a piano to passing Grade 8? Under 5 years total.

This series breaks down exactly how I did it, what worked, what didn't, and whether I'd recommend this approach to others.

Summary

In this article, I share my complete ABRSM journey from starting piano in third grade to passing Grade 8 with Distinction in eighth grade. I break down my timeline: four years of foundational piano learning (using Faber and Suzuki methods), including self-teaching during COVID and breaks for travel, followed by 16 months of ABRSM preparation across three exams. I explain why I chose ABRSM, detail my preparation for each exam, and compare my accelerated timeline to the typical 8-year progression. I analyze the key factors that enabled my rapid progress, and honestly reflect on what this journey cost me. This is Part 1 of a 4-part series for students considering a similar accelerated path.

My Piano Journey: The Timeline

The Foundation Years: Third Grade to Seventh Grade

I started piano in third grade as a typical beginner, working through Faber and Suzuki method books, learning basic technique, playing simple classical pieces. But my journey wasn't linear. COVID hit, lessons went virtual, and I did a lot of self-teaching. We also traveled regularly, so I'd sometimes go weeks without serious practice.

That self-teaching period turned out to be crucial. Without weekly in-person lessons, I had to become an independent learner, figuring out interpretations, troubleshooting technical problems, finding resources online. These skills would later prove invaluable during my ABRSM sprint.

By summer before seventh grade, I had about four years of on-and-off piano experience. I could play classical pieces, had decent technique, but was wondering: How do I actually measure my progress?

That's when my teacher suggested ABRSM.

Why ABRSM?

I chose ABRSM for five practical reasons:

1. International Recognition - Having "ABRSM Grade 8 with Distinction" would be valuable for college applications, whether or not I pursued music.

2. Clear Structure - Each grade has specific requirements: four pieces (three from the syllabus plus one of your own choosing from their list). After years of just "playing piano" without structure, I wanted concrete benchmarks.

3. Challenging Repertoire - The ABRSM syllabus includes beautiful classical pieces across different periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic/Contemporary). I wanted to tackle real classical repertoire.

4. Teacher's Recommendation - My teacher had ABRSM experience and assessed that I could jump straight into Grade 5, saving me from starting at Grade 1.

The ABRSM Sprint: Grade 5 → 7 → 8

Grade 5: Summer Before Seventh Grade (Merit)

Preparation time: 7-8 months

Practice schedule: 2-3 hours daily

Score: Merit

Starting summer before seventh grade, I spent about 7-8 months preparing for my first ABRSM exam. We skipped Grades 1-4 entirely because I was already beyond that level.

I chose four pieces from different periods as required and I worked methodically: breaking pieces into sections, practicing hands separately, gradually bringing them to tempo.

What went well: Technical foundation was solid, so the learning curve wasn't that big.

What was challenging: Performance anxiety

I got a Merit—not a Distinction, but it proved I could handle ABRSM and gave me confidence to continue.

Grade 7: Seventh Grade School Year (Distinction)

Preparation time: 4-5 months

Practice schedule: 3-4 hours daily during school year

Score: Distinction

After Grade 5, my teacher suggested we skip Grade 6 and go straight to Grade 7, which is a bigger jump in difficulty.

The game-changer? I started listening to professional recordings obsessively. I'd listen to multiple interpretations on YouTube—Glenn Gould, Martha Argerich, whoever had recorded my pieces—and analyze their choices. How were they phrasing? Where did they add rubato? What dynamics?

This transformed my playing. Instead of just playing notes correctly, I started thinking more deeply about interpretation and making musical choices.

What went well: Understanding interpretation elevated my musicality, confidence grew

What was challenging: Balancing intensive practice with seventh grade schoolwork

I got the Distinction I was hoping for, which fueled my decision to tackle Grade 8 immediately.

Grade 8: Summer Before Eighth Grade (Distinction)

Preparation time: 2-3 months

Practice schedule: 5+ hours daily during summer

Score: Distinction

Here's what makes people's jaws drop: 2-3 months after passing Grade 7, during summer before eighth grade, I took and passed Grade 8 with Distinction, which is the highest performance grade.

Why this worked:

1. Momentum - I was already in "ABRSM mode" with sharp technique and mental preparation.

2. Summer Timing - Summer break meant I could practice 5+ hours daily without schoolwork competing for time.

3. Overlapping Preparation - I actually started learning my Grade 8 pieces while still preparing for Grade 7. Once confident with Grade 7 repertoire, I introduced Grade 8 pieces into practice, giving me a head start.

4. Intensive, Focused Practice - During the final push:

• Ultra-slow practice: Half tempo or slower on difficult passages

• Hands separately, then together: Entire sessions on one hand for tricky sections

• Recording myself: Critical listening to my own playing

• Mock exams: Full run-throughs with my teacher

5. Mental Preparation - Practiced performing under pressure, visualized success, developed strategies for managing nerves.

Why Did I Progress So Quickly?

After a lot of reflection, here are the key factors:

1. Intensive Practice (Especially for Grade 8)

5+ hours daily during summer preparation versus the typical 30-60 minutes most students do. But it was also about quality—every session had clear goals, targeting specific challenges.

2. Summer Advantage

Summer breaks gave me uninterrupted time to structure entire days around practice, enabling rapid progress impossible during the school year.

3. Learning from Professionals Online

YouTube became my music school. I obsessively listened to Glenn Gould, András Schiff, and others, analyzing interpretations and applying what I learned.

4. Self-Teaching Skills from COVID

Self-teaching during COVID taught me to diagnose and fix my own problems—invaluable for troubleshooting technical issues during intense prep.

5. Clear Goals and Deadlines

Concrete exam dates kept me motivated. I thrive on challenges and deadlines, and knowing I had an exam in a few months lit a fire under me.

6. Strategic Grade Skipping

Skipping five grades meant not wasting time on material I'd already mastered, saving years of unnecessary work.

7. Strong Foundation

By the time I started ABRSM, I had four years of experience. ABRSM was about formalizing and elevating what I'd already learned, not starting from zero.

8. Genuine Love for Music

I actually loved practicing. That intrinsic motivation carried me through difficult moments.

Was It Worth It?

What I gained:

• ABRSM Grade 8 with Distinction

• Rapid technical and musical growth

• Proof I could set audacious goals and achieve them

• Strong college application material

What it cost:

• 5+ hours daily of practice during peak periods

• Some social activities missed

• Stress and pressure before exams

Looking back: Yes, it was worth it for me. But this path isn't for everyone. You can be an excellent musician without ABRSM. You can progress slowly and achieve the same skills.

For someone ambitious, goal-oriented, and who thrives on intensity? This was the right choice. I learned about discipline, focus, and what I'm capable of when I truly commit.

What's Next

In Part 2, I'll dive deep into grade skipping: how ABRSM allows it, the decision-making behind which grades to skip, pros and cons, and concrete ways to know if you're ready. If you've wondered whether jumping ahead is right for you, or your teacher has suggested it and you're unsure, Part 2 will give you the framework to decide confidently.

About the Author: I'm Jophy Lin, a high school senior and researcher. I blog about a variety of topics, such as STEM research, competitions, shows, and my experiences in the scientific community. If you’re interested in research tips, competition insights, drama reviews, personal reflections on STEM opportunities, and other related topics, subscribe to my newsletter to stay updated!