Musical Theatre (Solo/Duo)
Qualification Suite
Musical Theatre (Solo/Duo)
Levels
Entry Level, Level 1, Level 2, Level 3
Regulatory Status
Ofqual, Qualifications Wales and CCEA Regulation
Assessment Format
Available in-person and online
About the exam
Combining acting, singing, and storytelling in one dynamic qualification, learners explore character, interpretation, and performance through songs from across the musical theatre repertoire. Building confidence and stagecraft along the way, they develop the skills to communicate meaningfully through music and performance.
As they progress through the grades, learners explore characterisation through monologues or duologues, which are performed in character and act as an introduction to their songs.
They will also deepen their understanding of the history of musical theatre by performing songs from a range of eras, as well as researching the work and influence of composers and lyricists.
Exam formats
Learners can take their exam in a solo or duologue format. For a larger number of learners, visit the Group Musical Theatre qualification to allow a group to take the exam together.
Type of exam:
Solo or Duologue
Time allowance:
Solo: 10 minutes
Duologue: 15 minutes
The exam involves:
- Performing one song of your own choice from memory
- Answering questions about your performance
For full details, use the Musical Theatre (Solo/Duo) Graded Exams Syllabus (published 2021 for exams taken up to 31 December 2026, or published 2026 for exams taken from 1 January 2027).
Type of exam:
Solo or Duologue
Time allowance:
Solo: 15 minutes
Duologue: 20 minutes
The exam involves:
- Performing two contrasting songs of your own choice from memory
- Answering questions related to your performances
For full details, use the Musical Theatre (Solo/Duo) Graded Exams Syllabus (published 2021 for exams taken up to 31 December 2026, or published 2026 for exams taken from 1 January 2027).
Type of exam:
Solo or Duologue
Time allowance:
Solo: 25 minutes
Duologue: 30 minutes
The exam involves:
- Performing two contrasting songs of your own choice from memory
- Performing from memory a short piece of published or devised text in character, leading naturally into each song
- Performing lyrics from a song of your own choice as a spoken monologue from memory
- Answering questions related to your performances
For full details, use the Musical Theatre (Solo/Duo) Graded Exams Syllabus (published 2021 for exams taken up to 31 December 2026, or published 2026 for exams taken from 1 January 2027).
Type of exam:
Solo or Duologue
Time allowance:
Grade 6: Solo: 35 minutes, Duologue: 40 minutes
Grades 7 and 8: Solo: 40 minutes, Duologue: 45 minutes
The exam involves:
- Performing from memory three songs from specified time periods
- Performing from memory a short piece of published or devised text in character, leading naturally into each song
- Answering questions related to your performances
For full details, use the Musical Theatre (Solo/Duo) Graded Exams Syllabus (published 2021 for exams taken up to 31 December 2026, or published 2026 for exams taken from 1 January 2027).
