Maximizing Productivity: Sequencing Graded Exam Work Based on the Academic Calendar
- Ashwin Prabhakaran
- Jan 16, 2024
- 2 min read

As Piano Teachers, we deal with a wide range of age-groups in our teaching life.
But majority of the students that we end up teaching are school going kids.
I believe that we as Piano Teachers must be fully aware of the forces that Academic Calendars put on our student's attendance and practice
Largely, the students that we teach in the Indian Metro cities follow either the Indian Academic Boards (ICSE, CBSE, State Boards) or International Boards (IGCSE, IB, etc).
Let me illustrate using Indian Boards Academic Calendars as an Example.
In India, the Academic Year runs from June to March, with the months of April and May usually being Summer Holidays (every city in India will slightly vary).
Now, the most popular Music Exam Session (irrespective of the Board) is the Winter Session which usually occurs between October-December.
Keeping in mind the above two points, we observe that a student who typically takes about 1 year to prepare for a Graded Exam and 1 year to go through the Academic Grade have two non-congruent Start and End Points in the Calendar Year
Students begin their Academic Cycles in June, while they begin their Music Exam Cycle in January
Students end their Academic Cycles in March, while their Music Exam Cycle ends in December
If a Teacher is not well planned, and doesn't sequence the the repertoire appropriately, often they end up taking a lot of extra classes closer to the exams which is frankly unnecessary and very stressful for everyone.
In the table below, I have tried to incorporate the above points to make a very generic Framework of the Calendar Year and what can be focused upon in the different months.
Month | Plan | Notes |
January | 1st Exam Piece | (1) Start with a Piece that is challenging or Fast. Speed is usually developed over time with continuous practice in the background (2) List A Pieces are a good choice at this point. (3) Student's Attendance and Practice is usually good in Jan and Feb, so getting done with a Challenging Piece makes sense here (4) Lower Grades may take 4-6 weeks to learn a Piece, and higher Grades may take 8-10 weeks to learn a challenging piece (5) Alternatively, if the student is independent or a quick learner, you can spend January preparing Recital pieces. |
February | ||
2nd Exam Piece | (1) Work on an Easier Exam Piece at this point as Students would have Annual Exams in their Academic Schools. (2) Student's Attendance and Practice would be low. (3) Choose a Piece that would be relatively easy to Practice with minimal effort. (4) List B Pieces may be a good Choice here in Lower Grades. (5) Keep Reviewing the First Piece also so that it stays in memory | |
March | ||
April | Recital Piece + Theory | (1) April and May will be School Vacation for students in Indian Boards. (2) Attendance and Practice will become random. (3) It is best not to plan to teach any NEW Exam Work in this period. (4) For students that are attending, you can work on a Recital Piece. (5) Since attendance will be scattered, you will have to adapt. (6) Theory can be covered in this period. (7) Continue to keep Playing the first Two Pieces so it stays in Memory |
May | ||
June | 3rd Exam Piece | (1) Students should back from Summer Holidays, Review what they remember. (2) Jazz/Contemporary Pieces can be approached at this point.The Groove and Flow is music is something not all students get instinctively, especially in Jazz/Contemporary Styles. |
July | ||
Sign Up for Practical Exams | (1) By now at least 60% Syllabus should be completed. (2) This is usually the period when exam fees have to be submitted. (3) Parents should be counselled by the Teacher on Practice and Attendance Expectations as one gets closed to Exams | |
August | Optional: 4th Piece | (1) For Slower students, this is the time to complete their 3 Pieces (2) Alternately, students can learn an extra Piece from Grade (3) Else, learn a Piece of similar Grade Level difficulty |
September | Exam Revision | (1) Usually this is the time when Academic Schools conduct their mid-term exams. (2) Right after that, students will have Dussehra/Diwali break. (3) Best to not Teach anything new at this point. (unless required) (4) Use this period for Revision. (5) Attendance and Practice will be erratic |
October | MOCK TESTS + Christmas Piece | (1) Students should be ready for Full Portion Mock Tests by October. (2) This is also a good time to start working on a Christmas themed Piece for Winter Recital. (3) Continue Refining |
November | PRACTICAL EXAM | (1) Exam Date and Time is usually announced 3-4 weeks before the actual Exam. (2) Train students on what to expect in the Exam Hall. (3) Train students on how to conduct themselves in the Exam Hall. (4) Students should Check their Name as it has to be printed on the Exam Certificate, and inform of correction as soon as they receive the Hall Ticket. (5) Students should update any conflict of Exam Time as soon as they receive the Hall Ticket |
December | ||
WINTER RECITAL | End the year with a Christmas Recital | |
WINTER BREAK |
SUMMARY
Sequence the year based on student's Academic Calendar
Sit with the parent and Discuss their Holiday plans through the year and also the amount of work that you need to cover through the year
Plan with the student's parents so that you'll are on the same page in terms of Learning Outcomes and Timelines
The above Point will also help make the parent understand how every lesson has a Goal and Practice requirement
Insert sufficient number of Buffer Lessons (at your own discretion) in order to account for unscheduled Travel Plans, Teacher/Student Falling ill, minimal Practice
Make a Calendar using the above pointers and share with student's parents, account for Public Holidays, and any leave that the you (the teacher) may need.. Also when you intend to take the Make Up Lessons so as to not lose income
If you are not doing an exam for a Particular Year, it is best to still put on paper an outline of Repertoire with Learning Outcomes and Timelines that you would be following, it helps the parent be on the same page
Follow the Timeline as closely as possible and keep updating the Parent on the progress every week/month to let them know if you are on Track or Behind Schedule, or if you need to deviate and make a new plan
You will have to adapt and individualize as you go through the year, but having a Calendar Framework helps keep things flow
In conclusion, I would like to add that if you need help in formulating Lesson Plans for your students do reach out!!
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Ashwin! This is super helpful . I do some bridge pieces between the grades in Jan and Feb!
But as you recommend mayb I shd try an exam piece in Jan!