: Comparison between different exam boards In Britain, many people learning instruments (especially classical ones) do grades in them. The most common organisation to do with grades with is ABRSM, but there are others, e.g.

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I've heard of the ABRSM and I know that their grades are equivalent to the US schools and Canadian schools. I live in Toronto, Canada, so we have the RCM (Royal Conversatory of Music). I will explain what the requirements are for the RCM and then you can compare and contrast that with your system. The following overview is from the perspective of the piano program, although many other instruments follow the same sort of organization.

Levels
10 grades in total. After you finish grade 10, there are two options; ARCT Teachers (if you plan on learning the pedagogy associated with becoming a teacher) and ARCT Performers. The latter is harder and requires the student to play 6 pieces. The exam usually takes around an hour, depending on the length of pieces selected. Pieces range from the Baroque up until 20th Century music. Each piece is from a different era (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, Modern).

Just as an example, grade 1 pieces involve a 2 to 3 octave range, but the note resolution does not go below 16th notes. Common time signatures are 4/4, 6/8 and 3/4. 32nd notes are generally seen as early as grade 6 or 7. Sonatas by Beethoven, Chopin, etc are common place by around grade 8. Moonlight Sonata is considered an ARCT level piece due to the complexity and speed of the 3rd movement for example.

Exam Sections
There are a few components to each exam. This does not apply to ARCT Performers, it's simply a performance exam. Grade 1 through 10 involve an increasing amount of technique (scales, triads, etc), ear training (intervals, chords) and sight reading/clapping. Grade 1 may include only a handful of keys (the easier ones like C major, G major, etc), whereas grade 10 involves all 12 keys for each exercise type. The addition of new keys gradually progresses from grade 1 through 10.

Marking
Grades 1 through 10 requires 60% to pass. If you plan on going for your ARCT, you need at least a 75% overall or 70% in each section (technique, ear training, pieces, etc).

Theory/History
In order to receive a certificate for grade 5 and above, the student will need to complete a certain combination of theory and history courses. The list can be found here. Obviously, grade 10 requires ALL theory and history courses to be completed before a certificate is awarded for the piano exam.

Length
In general, most people finish this program within 10 to 20 years. I started it when I was 5 and finished by the time I was 21, but I had several friends who took only about 12 years to complete it. Like anything, it depends on how much you practise.

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There's a direct comparison at these links between ABRSM, Trinity and London College specifications and marking criteria. They are excellent articles written by an ABRSM examiner who used to examine for Trinity:
serenademagazine.com/series/music-education/get-music-exam-distinction-part-2 https://serenademagazine.com/series/music-education/how-to-get-a-music-exam-distinction-part-3

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I don't have experience with RGT.
But I have taken both ABRSM and Trinity exams. Although ABRSM do require a Grade 5 pass before continuing any practical Grade 6-8, Trinity do have extra exercises required for the grade that ABRSM don't have. Therefore I would say they are around about the same in terms of difficulty up through the grades.

ABRSM exams require -

3 pieces played in full (with accompaniment if a solo instrument)
A selection of scales to be played from memory, legato and staccato in higher grades.
A short extract of music to be played at sight on exam day usually 2 grades lower than the grade you will be studying
An aural test, testing rhythm, note recollection etc

Trinity exams require -

3 pieces played in full (with accompaniment if a solo instrument)
3 exercises to be studied
A selection of scales played from memory (legato/staccato/loud/soft)
Sight reading A short extract of music to be played at sight on exam day usually 2 grades (optional choice in lower grades)
An aural test, testing rhythm, note recollection etc
Musical Knowledge (only available in lower grades
Improvisation : improvise to chords or melodic stimulus

I have also had experience with Rockschool (RSL) and generally the syllabus is the same although sight reading is slightly more difficult as it is to a specific tempo.

All syllabi/syllabuses are available online to view in PDF format:

Trinity
ABRSM
RSL

(it is down to the exam centre to provide suitable exam equipment and location not the exam board, an exam centre could be your local church or school for instance)