The GCSE music exam's getting a revamp and it spells good news for all you DJs.

Soon you won't just have to do your best Brian May impression on guitar or impersonate Beethoven on piano, as you'll be able to show examiners how the likes of Sven Väth, Carl Cox and The Martinez Brothers get down. If exams regulator Ofqual gives it the all clear, that is.

Scratching's one of the skills that'll be examined, as well as the preparation for a gig, and students will have the choice of spinning vinyl or playing on CDJs and a laptop.

The new AQA syllabus also means songs from The Beatles' 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' album will be studied, with AQA's Seb Ross saying the inclusion's down to its impact on "popular music".

If given the green light, it'll come into place in September next year.

Wonder if any of the examiners will actually know their way around a pair of decks and a mixer, though.

[Via: the Independent]