For decades they have enjoyed pride of place on the family mantlepiece, celebrating the musical achievements of school children across the world.
But soon the certificates announcing whether youngsters have made the grade on their chosen instrument are going to come at a price, after the examination board decided to “go digital”.
On Tuesday, the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), which delivers over 650,000 music exams and assessments every year in 93 countries, announced it will soon start charging £3 for paper certificates in a bid to “further safeguard our certificates against fraud and maintain standards and confidence in our exams”.
It also said it had taken the decision to reduce “our transport and paper use” and “help us to achieve our sustainability goals”.
The new scheme will be rolled out between April and August allowing applicants to download a digital certificate through their ABRSM account – rather than relying on one being sent in the post.
Those still wanting a physical certificate will then have the option to order a paper copy for £3, or the equivalent in local currency. The new scheme will apply to performance grades, practical grades and music theory grades.
An email sent by ABRSM read: “As an awarding organisation we have a responsibility to ensure that results and certificates are valid and secure. Digital certificates will help us to further safeguard our certificates against fraud and maintain standards and confidence in our exams.
