Viola

Viola exam books and resources

Shop official ABRSM Viola exam books, exam pieces, and supporting resources in one place. Browse titles for each level/grade and choose books aligned with current ABRSM syllabus expectations.

Use the grade tabs to focus on the right level, then build a complete plan with exam pieces and supporting resources for lessons, home practice, and exam preparation. Need quick guidance before buying? Jump to the FAQs below.

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Best-selling Viola titles

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Viola Scales & Arpeggios, ABRSM Grades 1–5

£8.50

Viola Specimen Sight-Reading Tests, ABRSM Grades 1–5

£9.50

Time Pieces for Viola, Volume 1

£11.50

Viola Mix 2

£12.95

Viola Mix 1

£11.95

More Time Pieces for Viola, Volume 1

£11.50

Supporting resources - Viola

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Viola Scales & Arpeggios, ABRSM Grades 1–5

£8.50

Viola Specimen Sight-Reading Tests, ABRSM Grades 1–5

£9.50

Time Pieces for Viola, Volume 1

£11.50

Viola Mix 2

£12.95

Viola Mix 1

£11.95

More Time Pieces for Viola, Volume 1

£11.50

ABRSM Viola FAQs: Practical and Performance explained

What should I buy first for ABRSM Viola Practical Grades?

Short answer: buy by route and exact grade.

Viola Exam Pack/Exam Pieces (your grade, where listed)
Scales & Arpeggios (grade-matched)
Specimen Sight-Reading Tests (grade-matched)
Specimen Aural Tests (grade band)

Start with Syllabus Finder, then use the Viola collection.

What should I buy first for ABRSM Viola Performance Grades?

Short answer: plan a four-piece programme and include an own-choice score if needed.

Three list pieces (A, B, C)
One own-choice piece that meets published rules

Performance Grades do not include separate supporting tests.

What is the difference between Viola Practical and Performance Grades?

Practical: 3 pieces plus Scales and arpeggios, Sight-reading and Aural tests.

Performance: 4-piece continuous performance programme with no separate supporting tests.

How many pieces are required for ABRSM Viola in each route?

Practical Grades: 3 pieces, one from each of Lists A, B and C.

Performance Grades: 4 pieces in one continuous programme: at least one from each list plus one own-choice piece.

Are the current bowed strings syllabuses still valid?

Yes. Current bowed strings documentation shows validity from 2024 until further notice for both Practical and Performance repertoire sets.

Check overlap and updates before buying older editions: abrsm.org/overlap and abrsm.org/syllabusupdates.

What are the time limits for ABRSM Viola Practical and Performance routes?

Practical (approx exam length): Initial 12, Grade 1 12, Grades 2-3 14, Grades 4-5 17, Grade 6 20, Grade 7 25, Grade 8 30 minutes.

Performance (maximum programme time): 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25 minutes (Initial to Grade 8), plus minimum own-choice durations by grade.

What are duet and accompaniment rules for Viola Practical vs Performance?

Practical route: live accompaniment where required; recorded accompaniments are not allowed.

Performance route: accompaniment may be live or recorded under ABRSM performance guidance. Duet limits differ by grade and route, so check the relevant PDF before final programme submission.

Do I need Scales, Sight-reading and Aural books for both routes?

Practical route: yes, these are assessed components.

Performance route: no separate supporting tests are assessed.

Can I use a related instrument in ABRSM Viola Performance Grades?

Yes, at Grades 6-8 for own-choice only. Current bowed strings performance documentation lists Violin as the related instrument for Viola own-choice pieces at Grades 6 to 8.

How are ABRSM Viola Practical and Performance exams marked?

Practical: 30 + 30 + 30 (pieces), 21 (scales), 21 (sight-reading), 18 (aural) = 150.

Performance: 30 + 30 + 30 + 30 (pieces) + 30 (performance as a whole) = 150.

Result bands (both routes): Distinction 130-150, Merit 120-129, Pass 100-119, Below Pass 50-99.

Do bowed strings Practical and Performance share repertoire lists?

Yes. Current bowed strings documentation confirms that Practical and Performance routes draw from the same repertoire lists.

The two routes are still separate qualifications, with different assessment formats.

Where should I verify official Viola requirements before buying?

Quick path:

Open Syllabus Finder for instrument + grade
Check latest rules in ABRSM documentation: Bowed Strings, Exam Regulations, and Overlap
Buy route-matched titles in the Viola collection

Viola

Q: What should I buy first for ABRSM Viola Practical Grades?

Short answer: buy by route and exact grade.Viola Exam Pack/Exam Pieces (your grade, where listed)Scales & Arpeggios (grade-matched)Specimen Sight-Reading Tests (grade-matched)Specimen Aural Tests (grade band)Start with Syllabus Finder, then use the Viola collection.

Q: What should I buy first for ABRSM Viola Performance Grades?

Short answer: plan a four-piece programme and include an own-choice score if needed.Three list pieces (A, B, C)One own-choice piece that meets published rulesPerformance Grades do not include separate supporting tests.

Q: What is the difference between Viola Practical and Performance Grades?

Practical: 3 pieces plus Scales and arpeggios, Sight-reading and Aural tests.Performance: 4-piece continuous performance programme with no separate supporting tests.

Q: How many pieces are required for ABRSM Viola in each route?

Practical Grades: 3 pieces, one from each of Lists A, B and C.Performance Grades: 4 pieces in one continuous programme: at least one from each list plus one own-choice piece.

Q: Are the current bowed strings syllabuses still valid?

Yes. Current bowed strings documentation shows validity from 2024 until further notice for both Practical and Performance repertoire sets.Check overlap and updates before buying older editions: abrsm.org/overlap and abrsm.org/syllabusupdates.

Q: What are the time limits for ABRSM Viola Practical and Performance routes?

Practical (approx exam length): Initial 12, Grade 1 12, Grades 2-3 14, Grades 4-5 17, Grade 6 20, Grade 7 25, Grade 8 30 minutes.Performance (maximum programme time): 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25 minutes (Initial to Grade 8), plus minimum own-choice durations by grade.

Q: What are duet and accompaniment rules for Viola Practical vs Performance?

Practical route: live accompaniment where required; recorded accompaniments are not allowed.Performance route: accompaniment may be live or recorded under ABRSM performance guidance. Duet limits differ by grade and route, so check the relevant PDF before final programme submission.

Q: Do I need Scales, Sight-reading and Aural books for both routes?

Practical route: yes, these are assessed components.Performance route: no separate supporting tests are assessed.

Q: Can I use a related instrument in ABRSM Viola Performance Grades?

Yes, at Grades 6-8 for own-choice only. Current bowed strings performance documentation lists Violin as the related instrument for Viola own-choice pieces at Grades 6 to 8.

Q: How are ABRSM Viola Practical and Performance exams marked?

Practical: 30 + 30 + 30 (pieces), 21 (scales), 21 (sight-reading), 18 (aural) = 150.Performance: 30 + 30 + 30 + 30 (pieces) + 30 (performance as a whole) = 150.Result bands (both routes): Distinction 130-150, Merit 120-129, Pass 100-119, Below Pass 50-99.