Grade 1
Builds on Initial Grade.
At Grade 1 we bring in G major, F major and A minor, and 3/4 along with them. Hands still play on their own, but the five-finger position can sit anywhere. Expect the odd accidental in the minor keys, plus slurs, accents, mf and mp, and cresc./dim. hairpins.
The first 5 levels of this grade are on the free plan. The rest need Pro.
G Major
F Major
A Minor
Mixed Review
Grade certificates
SightReader is not affiliated with or endorsed by ABRSM.
Frequently asked questions
What do Grade 1 sight-reading exercises cover?
At Grade 1 we bring in G major, F major and A minor, and 3/4 along with them. Hands still play on their own, but the five-finger position can sit anywhere. Expect the odd accidental in the minor keys, plus slurs, accents, mf and mp, and cresc./dim. hairpins.
How many levels are in Grade 1?
Grade 1 has 40 levels. Each is a short exercise newly written to that grade’s parameters, and they run in order so every level builds on the one before it. Stars record how clean each run was, and your best score for a level is the one that sticks.
How do I know if I’m ready for Grade 1?
Try the placement check — three minutes, no account needed. As a rule your sight-reading grade sits a grade or two below the repertoire you play, so if you are learning Grade 5 pieces then Grade 3 reading is a realistic place to begin.
Are Grade 1 exercises the same as the real exam test?
No. Real exam tests use unseen, single-use music given to you on the day, and we are not affiliated with ABRSM or endorsed by them. Ours are newly written to the same published parameters — keys, time signatures, hand position, length — so the difficulty matches.
Is Grade 1 free?
The first five levels of every grade from Initial to Grade 5 are free to everyone. Beyond that — the later levels, and Grades 6, 7 and 8 in full — needs Pro at £5 a month. The free tier has no time limit and no card.
What happens when I finish Grade 1?
You get a certificate you can download as a PDF or share by link, and the next grade opens. Levels count as complete only on hands-together runs: practising one hand records your accuracy and timing, but does not tick the level off or advance the grade.