My teacher wants me to do an exam for Grade 7 violin in the autumn of 2004. However, I am doing the syllabus for 2001-2004. The new syllabus seems to be out and I haven't got long to do the exam. My pieces are rusty, my scales need improving, and I haven't started practising chromatics and arpeggios yet! We hardly do any sight reading or aural in the lessons which is really bad. My teacher wants me to do everything his way and doesn't really help me much! PLEASE HELP!
I want to do this exam in the autumn and what should I do? Can I still do it in the spring or should I do the new syllabus or what?

With reference to the exam syllabus - you can use the old one for the autumn '04, or the spring '05, so you won't have to learn the new pieces. As for taking the exam, why don't you work at the scales etc until the entry has to go in (assuming it's a few weeks away), and then make a decision. Also thought - you can always re-enter if you want ie do it both terms if you're not satisfied with the results. BUT- only enter if you feel 100% okay with the decision, if not you won't put your best effort into preperation as it was something you don't want to do. And make sure your teacher knows what your feelings are with regards to the exam.

Hope it all goes well. Please correct me if I have given wrong information about the syllabus.

Atari

but my violin teacher would probably not want me to re-take the exam. he'll want me to do as well as possible first time round. it's not long till the autumn!

If he wants you to do well then surely he will not enter you until you are ready?

I am in the same situation as you and have persuaded my teacher to let me wait and use the new syllabus!

maybe i should do that. ask my teacher to use the syllabus for 2004-2005. isn't it a bit short notice though, as the pieces are different?

not if you learn them quickly