Viola Exam Pack 2020-2023 Initial Grade. As part of the 2020-2023 syllabus, ABRSM is introducing a new Initial Grade exam for Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass with first exams taking place from 1 January 2020. The Initial Grade is a pre-Grade 1 assessment, following the same structure, content and assessment criteria as ABRSM?s existing graded music exams (three pieces, scales, sight-reading …