ABRSM Viola books for Practical and Performance Grades

Start with two checks: your grade and whether you are taking a Practical Grade or Performance Grade. For most customers, the quickest route is to open Syllabus Finder, confirm your level, then shop the Viola collection.

If you are taking a Practical Grade, you will usually need the correct repertoire book or exam pack plus the matching technical and sight-reading support. If you are taking a Performance Grade, start with the repertoire source for your grade and then check whether you also need an own-choice score.

For ABRSM Viola Practical Grades, most customers should buy the books that match their route and level. That usually means the correct Viola Exam Pack or repertoire source for your grade, plus Viola Scales & Arpeggios, Viola Specimen Sight-Reading Tests and the correct Specimen Aural Tests book for your grade band.

For ABRSM Viola Performance Grades, start with the repertoire source for your grade so you can build a programme from current list pieces. You may also need to buy an additional own-choice score if your fourth piece is not already in a book you own.

Performance Grades do not use separate Scales, Sight-Reading or Aural books as assessed exam components.

That depends on your grade and what your teacher wants you to work on. Time Pieces and More Time Pieces are useful graded anthologies for extra repertoire and style coverage, while Viola Mix is often a helpful option when you want flexible, varied repertoire at the appropriate level.

The safest route is to confirm your grade in Syllabus Finder first, then choose the title that matches your current plan.

For Practical Grades, yes. Your repertoire book covers the pieces, but most candidates also buy the correct Viola Scales & Arpeggios book and Viola Specimen Sight-Reading Tests book so they can prepare the full assessment.

For Performance Grades, no. You normally focus on repertoire plus any own-choice music you need.

For Initial Grade, start with the Viola Exam Pack from 2024, Initial Grade. It is the clearest starting point if you want the current ABRSM book for that level and want to avoid guessing which repertoire source to buy first.

Most customers buy Viola technical books by grade band, not by one individual grade. That usually means choosing Viola Scales & Arpeggios, ABRSM Grades 1–5 or Viola Scales & Arpeggios, ABRSM Grades 6–8, then matching that with the correct Viola Specimen Sight-Reading Tests book for the same band.

Quick path:

• Open Syllabus Finder and select instrument + grade
• Check the latest bowed strings and exam guidance on ABRSM before you buy
• Buy route-matched titles in the Viola collection