We’ve included answers to some common questions below. If you can’t find the answer you need, please get in touch with us.
Mountview Exams develop the imaginative range and technical skillset of Musical Theatre performers, growing confidence, celebrating creativity, developing skills and rewarding individuality.
We invite performers to have total creative agency over their work, with every choice made, if conscious and technically of a standard, a ‘right choice’. Our exams are also conducted in front of fellow performers to create an authentic audience experience, so you will be watching other performers on your exam day. This is a brilliant way to learn and develop as a performer.
Mountview is synonymous with exceptional Musical Theatre training, and we are proud to be bringing this high standard to our new exam board.
Mountview Exams has developed an innovative approach to performance examinations, aiming to recreate an authentic audience environment for performers. When taking a Solo exam with us, other performers who are also being examined that day will create an audience, allowing for the performer who is being assessed to respond and react to their presence. We find that this creates original and exciting performances during examination, and it also allows for the other performers who are watching to reflect upon the performance in front of them. Both as an examinee and as an audience member, the learning experience is heightened.
Performers can take any exam as long as they have the maturity to successfully meet the expectations of both the practical tasks of the exams, as well as any relevant Reflection/Redirection elements. We do recommend that the minimum age to be submitted for our Preview examination is 4 years of age, and there is no upper limit on any of our exams.
We offer multiple qualifications in Musical Theatre which suit the examination needs of individuals and groups alike. You can compare the qualifications that we offer by looking at About MX, with further details on the separate task requirements within our Solo syllabus and Group syllabus. Here you can also see the total qualification time for each of our exams, which is made up of a recommended number of guided learning hours and independent learning, research and rehearsal hours. See how our exams compare to one another and consider which would best suit your ability/need.
Each exam costs a different amount relative to the length of time the exam takes and the type of qualification chosen. You can find the current pricing for each exam by looking at our exam fees.
Mountview is currently in the process of seeking Ofqual recognition which will allow us to award UCAS points from Level Three (Grades 6, 7 and 8). You can still take Mountview Exams at all levels, and we will update on our website once our recognition is approved.
We are committed to making Mountview Exams accessible to all performers and have embedded flexibility and inclusivity into our syllabus. Please read through the information we have on Reasonable Adjustments or get in touch with us to discuss anything further.
Once you’ve chosen which exam you plan to take, you should prepare the relevant tasks detailed in the chosen syllabus – our Solo syllabus or Group syllabus. Make note of the different task options available in your chosen grade to demonstrate your ability in the best way. Mountview Exams encourage performers to be the originators of their own work, so there is no repertoire list which needs to be adhered to – as long as the task requirements of each grade are met, performers can prepare whatever material excites and motivates them.
You can take a Mountview Exam at our home in Peckham, London, or at centres in the UK and abroad. If you are a venue looking to host exams, you can register as a Centre and we will send an examiner to you. If this is of interest to you, please have a look at our information on how to Become a Centre.
If you are wanting to book an exam at our flagship facility, Mountview Peckham, you can do so by filling out our Solo booking form.
We do our best to make sure that all performers who join us at one of our Public Centres feel confident and engaged, ready to achieve their highest possible result. You can find out the full process of what happens on the day of a Public Centre exam by looking at our Public Centre page.
Ahead of your examination day for our Solo exams, you will have been given both your Block Time Slot and your Examination Time (which will sit within the Block Time Slot). For our Group exams, you will have received your Group Examination Time and, if relevant, your Reflection Time (which will follow your Group exam). Performers are given the opportunity to warm up prior to entering the examination room: at Preview, Level One and Level Two we recommend 15 minutes, and at Level Three we recommend 30 minutes. Please arrive in good time for your warm up to ensure you are suitably prepared for your exam:
| Level | Warm Up Time |
| Preview, Levels One & Two | 15 minutes ahead of your Block Time Slot/Group Examination Time |
| Level Three | 30 minutes ahead of your Block Time Slot/Group Examination Time |
Each of our Solo exams are conducted with other performers present. You will therefore have the opportunity to watch other performers whilst also having a small audience for your exam. The number of peers watching your performance will vary from grade to grade and by the size of your block. You will not be disadvantaged by having fewer or more audience members than other performers. For these exams you will be supported by the examiner, your facilitator/accompanist and the fellow performers in your block.
For our Group exams, unless you are taking a Full Production qualification, you will perform without an audience. You will therefore be supported by the examiner, your facilitator/accompanist and the other members of your group.
- Plain clothing without logos. We recommend a grey palette (white through grey to black) to help define the physical line when dancing
- Hair should be kept off the face
- No jewellery
- Minimal makeup
- Costume is not necessary, but if a particular style of practice skirt (for example) helps create the energy and line of the dance, then this is acceptable
- Appropriate footwear – performing in socks poses a risk of slipping but bare feet are acceptable
- A water bottle and any changes of clothing and/or footwear
- Backing tracks and audio for accompaniment or soundscapes
- Sheet music for accompanists (MX does not provide accompanists for your exam)
- Any props (if they are intrinsic to the performance)
- At Level Three, the scripts of any monologue and the scores for any sung music
We’re sorry to hear that you disagree with the result awarded to you by one of our trained examiners. If you are looking for details about how to contest a result, you can find out more information in our Complaints, Enquiries and Appeals Policy.
We aim to issue your results within 20 working days of taking your exam. If it has been longer than 20 working days and you are yet to receive your results, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
If you pass your exam, you will receive a digital certificate alongside your results. This is signed by our Principal, Sally Ann Gritton, and the President of Mountview, Dame Judi Dench.
Yes, of course! If you took your exam at a Private Centre, first reach out to them as they will be able to access your certificate via our online portal. If you took your exam at a Public Centre or your Private Centre cannot produce your certificate for whatever reason, please get in touch with the exams team by emailing directly or filling out the form to get in touch.
