The examination board failed to retain assessment evidence in three separate incidents between 2024 and 2025
The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) has been fined £150,000 after Ofqual found serious failings in its assessment record-keeping.
ABRSM delivers regulated music qualifications through both face-to-face and digital assessments. Ofqual identified three separate incidents between 2024 and 2025 where ABRSM failed to retain assessment evidence. This meant that the information was unavailable when ABRSM needed it for marking reviews or malpractice investigations.
In the first incident, 8,539 audio recordings of learner assessments were not retained due to a software error. Of those, 20 candidates who requested a review of marking could not have their reviews conducted using all of the original assessment evidence.
In the second incident, assessment recordings and completed marking records of 16 candidates were deleted. The candidates were unable to fully challenge their marks because the assessment evidence was no longer available.
In the third incident, ABRSM identified potential malpractice involving a single tutor overseas who was responsible for entering 710 learners for assessments. However, 231 assessment recordings were no longer available, limiting ABRSM’s ability to fully investigate the extent of the suspected malpractice.
Ofqual also found that around 72,000 certificates had been issued with incorrect qualification titles. ABRSM later corrected the error, notified the learners and offered replacement certificates, but Ofqual found that it did not initially take all reasonable steps to address the problem.
Amanda Swann, executive director for delivery at Ofqual, said: ’Awarding organisations have a responsibility to retain assessment evidence and ensure it is available when needed, to protect learners and maintain confidence in qualifications.
‘Although ABRSM identified these issues and has taken action to improve its arrangements, weaknesses in its controls meant that important assessment evidence could not always be accessed when required. Given the seriousness of these failings, we have taken enforcement action.’
As part of the settlement ABRSM has agreed to pay the £150,000, contribute £10,000 towards Ofqual’s investigation and enforcement costs, and commission an independent audit of its assessment-record retention arrangements.
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