^ Pretty much this.
Before I started my music degree, the only exam I'd ever taken with ABRSM was Grade 5 theory. I didn't do well as they like concise answers, and apparently claiming that a plagal cadence gives the effect of "sounding cautiously optimistic" isn't what they're looking for. ;-)

OP: Strangely enough I was always the one who asked "why" during theory lessons, meaning I always got awful marks... but I now tend to get better marks at a higher level because I never just accept things. It works especially well when you start learning about Schenker and Agawu. ;-) Having an enquiring mind is something that should be encouraged in all topics IMHO. Music theory is a static field; once you start questioning its application it gets fascinating.

EDIT: Why would having power feel different if other people are equivalently qualified? Is knowledge of someone else's hard work somehow detrimental? Because if it's a competition of mad music skillz then Empress would win. ;-)
(Sivvus trolley collision in the fruit aisle led to a jam, Tue 13 Jul 2010, 19:47, Reply)