As stated in the National Curriculum, assessment encompasses all efforts to evaluate the effectiveness of school activities and the extent to which established goals have been achieved. The primary purpose of educational assessment is to encourage students, support them in their learning, and stimulate self-evaluation. Assessment must be unbiased, honest, and fair. It must evaluate all aspects of learning, such as understanding, knowledge, skills, and progress. Furthermore, assessment should provide a clear and comprehensive picture of learning and teaching in the country’s schools.
The music education at the school is based on guidance learning. It involves the student and teacher setting goals together regarding specific projects that take into account the competency goals in the national curriculum. Milestones are marked in the process, which can take form in projects, concerts, or exams. The teacher and student agree on how to achieve the goals through organized practice at home. Feedback is provided regularly by the teacher, peers, or parents, especially when goals have been achieved or when goals need to be revised. Self-assessment is no less an important aspect of guided assessment and encourages the student to be an active and responsible participant in their own learning. New goals are based on guided assessment and feedback, as well as the interest of the student. Students receive a written assessment of their learning at least once a year in the spring.
The level exams (Icelandic: áfangapróf) were introduced in the 2020 National Curriculum for Music Schools. The studies are divided into basic level (grunnnám), intermediate level (miðnám), and advanced level (framhaldsnám). The basic level represents an equivalent ability to Grade 3, the intermediate level corresponds to Grade 5, and the advanced level to Grade 7. These level exams are designed to ensure consistency, structure, and minimum requirements in the curriculum. Specially trained external examiners travel between schools to evaluate and grade the level exams. For further details, see profanefnd.is.
The level exams differ slightly from the previous grading system. The sub-levels within the basic level are less extensive than the first grades of the older system. As before, the duration of study remains flexible, largely determined by the student’s age and maturity. At the basic level, it is expected that a student starting at 8 to 9 years of age can complete approximately one grade per year, or the full basic level exam in 4 to 5 years. Older students can be expected to progress more rapidly. At the intermediate and advanced levels, the scope of study increases, and the time required to complete each stage lengthens accordingly.
The Ministry of Education publishes curricula for individual instruments, which outline the reference repertoire and requirements for each level exam. Exam requirements are published under each instrument on the Government of Iceland website (stjornarradid.is). Most level exams are taken in May, though some take place at the end of November or March. When a student completes a level exam, they receive a report card that appears in the school management system Speedadmin. Formal diplomas are sent to the student’s home as soon as they have also completed the corresponding level exam in music theory.
Basic level studies are widely recognized as elective credits in elementary schools. Intermediate studies are evaluated for credits in most secondary schools (gymnasiums). An intermediate exam is commonly valued at 10 credits in secondary school, while an advanced exam can yield up to 20 credits, depending on the study track and the school. A comprehensive review of the National Curriculum for Music Schools is currently underway and is expected to be implemented in spring 2027.
