UK & Ireland policy for withdrawals, non-attendance and fee refunds
If a candidate is withdrawn from an exam or doesn't attend, the applicant (person who made the entry) is responsible for cancelling the exam using the online exam service. Exam fees will be returned to the applicant or organisation that made the payment.
Cancelling an exam using the online service
To cancel an exam, the person who made the entry must log in to their account using the online service and find the relevant booking. A bin icon is displayed to the right of the candidate’s entry in “Booking details”. Click the bin icon to cancel the exam, you will be prompted to further confirm this selection in a pop up window before continuing. Account Log in.
Public Venue exams
When booking an exam at a Public Venue, the entry may be cancelled within 14 days after the date of booking (the consumer and cancellation rights’ ‘cooling-off period’). Cancellations during the 14-day cooling-off period must be made by the applicant using the online exam service and payment will be refunded back to the payment card. Applicants will receive a credit confirmation by email.
If a booking at a Public Venue is cancelled outside of the ‘cooling-off period’ ABRSM will not offer any refund of the exam fee for the cancelled exam other than in the circumstances specified in paragraphs f, g, h or i of our Withdrawals, Non-attendance and Fee Refund Policy. In this instance the applicant must notify ABRSM in writing at [email protected] as soon as possible and no later than the day of the exam.
Deferred payment for Public Venue exams
For accounts authorised to use the ‘submit and pay later’ option for Public Venue exam bookings, the applicant will be able to cancel a booking up until the day the booking period closes. Cancellations during this period must be made by the applicant using the online exam service
Private Visit: Practical exams
When booking a practical exam at a Private Visit, either as the Visit Organiser or as a Permitted Applicant, the booking may be cancelled up to 28 days before (and not including) the first day of the Private Visit and receive a full refund. Cancellations made during this period must be made by the applicant using the online exam service. For payments made at the time of entry, refunds will be issued back to the payment card and applicants will receive a credit confirmation by email.
If a booking is cancelled less than 28 days before (and not including) the first day of the Private Visit, ABRSM will not offer any refund of the exam fee for the cancelled exam other than in the circumstances specified in paragraphs f, g, h or i of our Withdrawals, Non-attendance and Fee Refund Policy. In this instance the applicant must notify ABRSM in writing at [email protected] as soon as possible and no later than the day of the exam.
Private Visit: Theory exams
When booking a theory exam at a Private Visit, either as the Visit Organiser or as a Permitted Applicant, the booking may be cancelled up to 28 days before (and not including) the first day of the Private Visit and receive a full refund. Cancellations made during this period must be made by the applicant using the online exam service. For payments made at the time of entry, refunds will be issued back to the payment card and applicants will receive a credit confirmation by email.
If a booking is cancelled less than 28 days before (and not including) the first day of the Private Visit, ABRSM will not offer any refund of the exam fee for the cancelled exam other than in the circumstances specified in paragraphs f, g, h or i of our Withdrawals, Non-attendance and Fee Refund Policy. In this instance the applicant must notify ABRSM in writing at [email protected] as soon as possible and no later than the day of the exam.
Circumstances considered for Refund
A candidate who's withdrawn from an exam or doesn’t attend, may be eligible for a partial refund, but only under the circumstances specified in paragraphs f, g, h or i of our Withdrawals, Non-attendance and Fee Refund Policy. The applicant must notify ABRSM in writing at [email protected] as soon as possible and no later than the day of the exam. Notice given only to an examiner, honorary local representative, steward or invigilator isn't sufficient to qualify for a refund.
A candidate who's withdrawn from an exam may be re-entered in the next exam session. In such cases, a new entry and full payment must be made as entry details/payment cannot be transferred from one period to the next.
Illness or injury
A partial refund of up to 75% is given provided that the conditions above are met and that the written notification is supported by documentary evidence. This should normally be a letter from someone in authority, such as a head teacher, confirming the candidate’s indisposition or injury, or a medical certificate. The documentary evidence must be sent no later than four weeks after the exam date.
Exceptional personal circumstances
A discretionary refund may be given on compassionate grounds in cases such as bereavement, family crisis or personal trauma, provided that the conditions above are met and that the written notification is supported by full details substantiating the application.
Death or serious indisposition of teacher
A discretionary refund may be given to a candidate whose exam preparation is severely curtailed by the teacher’s death or long-term serious illness. In cases of occasional missed lessons due to the teacher’s minor or short-term illness, or cases of a dispute with the teacher leading to lessons being discontinued, no refund can be made.
Application for such a refund must be made in accordance with the conditions above although it may be made by someone other than the applicant. ABRSM may request details of an independent person who may be contacted by us to verify the application.
Circumstances beyond the candidate’s control
Where a candidate misses their exam owing to circumstances beyond their control (e.g. a major travel incident or damage to the candidate’s instrument immediately before the exam), a discretionary refund may be given provided that the conditions above are met and that the written notification is supported by full details substantiating the application.
A candidate in quarantine for any infection must be withdrawn. If exams are cancelled owing to quarantine, alternative appointments/fee refunds may be offered at ABRSM’s discretion.