ABRSM exams

[sasuke_10]

I started playing piano before one-two years and I don't really get something - Why taking ABRSM exams?
1. I play the piano not because I want to be a professional pianist.
2. Well, that's all - is it for people who want to be professional pianists?

[sucom]

Thinking about why people take exams I can offer some reasons.

1.  Some students (and/or parents) tend to be exam orientated and believe that exams are a sure fire way to warrant paying out the costly expense of taking lessons from a professional teacher
2.  Some students believe that exams are a useful way to measure progress
3.  Exams offer the student an opportunity to see how an outsider views their piano playing without just taking their teacher's word for it!
4.  If a pianist wishes to go to music college or university, exam qualifications are generally required. Certainly when I went to music college, Grade 8 in a first subject and Grade 6 in a second subject were necessary requirements.

I'm sure members here may be able to think of other reasons.

Are exams necessary if you are learning for the enjoyment and not wishing to become professional?  No, not really.  When I first started and for many years after, it was taken for granted that exams would be taken.  These days, I have noticed a general trend away from exam taking - many of my students prefer not take them at all.  Some, especially adults, have taken a couple of exams and then said "Never again!!! I was too nervous!"