I have my Grade 5 in 10 days... and can play my hands together scales (mostly). I thought I'd better check I can still play them hands separately in case I get asked them in the exam. Well.... my left hand only scales are appalling.
Why am I finding it so hard to play simple scales hands separately when I can play the scales hands together?

I discovered that somewhere around grade 5 (though not just before my exam).
After that I always practised obth hands together and separate.
Until you separate them it's hard to tell that one hand is leading the other.

I agree with sbhoa - the reason is that the stronger hand helps the weaker hand along - and also masks it so you can't hear the weaknesses when the hands are playing together. Hands separately practice is very important to reveal and work on any weakness in either hand.

First of all - don't panic Concentrate on playing SLOWLY, getting every note correct with correct fingering. Then gradually speed up. If you do this well you'll also find that your HT will improve.

Good luck.

If one hand leads the other, could one 'ghost' the hand that is not supposed to be playing, to assist the other hand? Just a thought...

That sounds even more difficult - must try it!

That could work - although I'm not sure whether the examiner may permit it. They'd probably comment on it if they saw it though.

To work on individual hand scales, play dotted rhythm, firstly beginning with a short note, and then repeat beginning with a long note. Practice in the alternate rhythms. Then work with a metronome to get the scale up to speed. I think mastery of one scale with the left hand may be sufficient, because in this case, I'm presuming the difficulty lies in finger independence in the left hand if the right hand is able to play the scale.

~Wobby~

you know what....I never thought about playing them hands separately and funny enough, I have not looked at the syllabus PROPERLY and it does say hands separate AND together!!! have been playing grade 2/3/4 scales only hands together, now that you mention this I also found out I am not as good at hands separately!!
so thanks to you I have now started practicing them hands separately AND together

My hands separately scales are getting better. I discovered left hand is weak in scales and right hand in arpeggios!!! Practicing hands separately is improving my hands together scales!!!!
hank you for the advice.