Examination Centres & Examiners

All PDQB examinations (assessments) must be arranged through one of the four official PDQB Examination Centres and issue of PDQB Certificates can be arranged only by the Examination Centres.  It is also the responsibility of the Examination Centre to appoint Assessors to conduct PDQB examinations from the PDQB-approved list.  Applicants cannot arrange an examination direct with an Examiner.

The four PDQB-approved Examination Centres are:

    The College of Piping

    The National Piping Centre

    The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association

    The Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming

      (PDQB Examination Centre for Armed Forces Personnel only)
      Inchdrewer House
      299 Colinton Road
      Edinburgh
      EH13 0LA
      SCOTLAND
      Tel: 0131 310 5561

    Note: The Piobaireachd Society does not have the infrastructure to sustain its own Examination Centre and is content for its candidates to be examined through any of the official Examination Centres.

    Applicants can apply to take PDQB examinations directly if they feel that they have the relevant knowledge, understanding and practical ability.  Alternatively they can apply to undertake training programmes run by the partner organisations. Guidance will be provided by the Examination Centres.

    Assessments for all PDQB Certificates involve both Theory and Performance (practical) examinations.  With the exception of the Performer’s Certificate, candidates must obtain a pass in both the Theory and Performance sections before the full qualification can be awarded (although in the case of the SQA National Progression Awards and Professional Development Awards, the Theory and Performance Units can be certificated separately). Full details are available from the Examination Centres.

    Under no circumstances can PDQB Tutors or Teachers, who are also approved PDQB Assessors, conduct assessments for candidates they have taught.

Possible Additional SQA Centres

It may be possible for other educational organisations to apply to the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) for approval to deliver the National Progression Awards in Scottish Bagpipes and/or Scottish Pipe Band Drumming, and the Professional Development Awards in Scottish Bagpipes. Any organisation interested in applying to SQA for approval to become a new Centre for these qualifications will first require to obtain a Letter of Support from the PDQB, and will also require to meet the following criteria:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the Piping and Drumming Qualifications Board (PDQB) qualifications structure and syllabi.
  2. Provide details of the planned teaching/instruction arrangements; number of Assessors and Internal Verifiers to be used; and the qualifications and experience of these Assessors and Internal Verifiers.
  3. Confirm that only approved PDQB Assessors and Internal Verifiers with knowledge and experience of PDQB qualifications will be used.

The relevant application form to PDQB for the required Letter of Support can be downloaded by clicking here.

Examiners

PDQB-approved Assessors are currently based in the following countries:

  • United Kingdom
  • Australia
  • Canada
  • Ireland
  • New Zealand
  • Northern Ireland
  • Oman
  • United States of America

It is possible to arrange PDQB examinations virtually anywhere in the world but the initial approach must be made to one of the four official PDQB Examination Centres listed above.  The PDQB may from time to time consider the appointment of additional approved Examiners should the need arise.

 
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