Academic Resources and Policies

All repertoire must be performed with piano accompaniment where required, unless otherwise specified.

• For Preparatory to Level 4, students may use a recorded accompaniment (and must provide the device on which it is to be played). Students must provide their own collaborative pianist or recording.
• For Levels 5 and up, recorded accompaniment is not permitted; students must provide their own collaborative pianist.

For information regarding collaborative pianist requirements, see the Syllabus for each discipline.

Effective 1 February 2024, examinations that do not follow the accompaniment policy may be subject to a deduction of up to 10 marks.

Voice

• All Levels (Preparatory, 1–10, Associate Diploma): Collaborative pianist required.
• All selections requiring accompaniment must be performed with piano accompaniment only. No other instruments are permitted.
• Students must provide their own collaborative pianist for the examination to proceed. Collaborative pianists are permitted in the examination room only while they are playing accompaniments.
• Students will begin the examination (with their collaborative pianist) by singing their choice of repertoire, vocalises, or recitatives. The collaborative pianist will then leave the room, and the student will continue with technical requirements.
• Recorded Accompaniment:
  • For Preparatory to Level 4, students may use a recorded accompaniment. If a recording is used, students must provide the device on which the accompaniment is to be played.
  • For Levels 5 and up, recorded accompaniment is not permitted.

Strings, Brass, and Woodwind instruments

• All Levels (Preparatory, 1–10, Associate Diploma)*: Collaborative pianist required.
• All selections requiring accompaniment must be performed with piano accompaniment only. No other instruments are permitted.
• Students must provide their own collaborative pianist for the examination to proceed. Collaborative pianists are permitted in the examination room only while they are playing accompaniments.
• Exceptions:
  • Level 1 Trombone and Euphonium students may perform their repertoire selections without accompaniment.
• Recorded Accompaniment:
  • For Preparatory to Level 4, students may use a recorded accompaniment. If a recording is used, students must provide the device on which the accompaniment is to be played.
  • For Levels 5 and up, recorded accompaniment is not permitted.

Recorder

• All Levels (Preparatory, 1–10, Associate Diploma)*: Accompanist required.
• All selections requiring accompaniment must be performed with accompaniment. 
• Students must provide their own accompanist for the examination to proceed. Accompanists are permitted in the examination room only while they are playing accompaniments.
• Instrumental Accompaniment:
  • A piano will be provided for Recorder examinations.
  • Recorder examinations may be accompanied by instruments other than piano; for example, harpsichord or electronic equivalents.
  • Students who wish to bring and use their own harpsichord or an electronic equivalent must inform the Center Representative at least two weeks prior to the start of the examination session. The student is responsible for ensuring the instrument is in place before the start of the day’s examinations and removed either during the lunch break or after all examinations have finished. All instrument moves will take place at the discretion of the Center Representative.
  • Repertoire selections designated [+BC] (basso continuo) in the Syllabus may be accompanied by a solo continuo instrument playing the bass line (for example, cello, bass viola da gamba, bassoon, lute, guitar) instead of a keyboard instrument. Accompanists must supply their own instruments. No other repertoire selections may be accompanied in this manner.
• Recorded Accompaniment:
  • For Levels 1 to 4, students may use a recorded accompaniment. If a recording is used, students must provide the device on which the accompaniment is to be played.
  • For Levels 5 and up, recorded accompaniment is not permitted.

Percussion

• Levels 1–10: Collaborative pianist not required (for most repertoire selections). 
• All selections requiring accompaniment must be performed with piano accompaniment only.  
• Students must provide their own collaborative pianist for the examination to proceed. Collaborative pianists are permitted in the examination room only while they are playing accompaniments.
• Recorded Accompaniment: 
  • For Levels 1 to 4, students may use a recorded accompaniment. If a recording is used, students must provide the device on which the accompaniment is to be played. 
  • For Levels 5 and up, recorded accompaniment is not permitted. 

Guitar

• Preparatory–Level 10: Collaborative pianist not required.
• Associate Diploma (ARCT) in Guitar, Performer programs require a collaborative pianist for the List E Concerto movement(s).
• Students must provide their own collaborative pianist for the examination to proceed. Collaborative pianists are permitted in the examination room only while they are playing accompaniments. 
• Recorded Accompaniment: 
  • For the Associate Diploma, recorded accompaniment is not permitted. 

Piano

• Preparatory–Associate Diploma: Collaborative pianist not required.
• Licentiate Diploma (LRCM) in Piano, Performer programs with a complete concerto require a collaborative pianist. If a concerto is indicated on the program form, a second piano will be provided for an in-person examination.
• Students must provide their own collaborative pianist for the examination to proceed. Collaborative pianists are permitted in the examination room only while they are playing accompaniments.
• Recorded Accompaniment:
  • For the Licentiate Diploma, recorded accompaniment is not permitted.

Harp, Accordion, Organ, and Harpsichord

• Accompaniment is not required for any level.  

*Note: Examinations are not available at all levels for all instruments.
 

 

For ARCT and LRCM Diploma Requirements, please refer to this page.

Effective Date: September 1, 2002

Piano examination candidates are no longer exempted from playing octave scales and solid four-note chords on the basis of having small hands.

Candidates will be required to prepare all Technical Tests as described in the Piano Syllabus, 2015 Edition for their grade. For all four-note tonic chords and octave scale s, candidates may choose one of the options outlined below. The chosen option need not be indicated in advance to the examiner and will be evaluated on the same merit as all other technical tests for that grade. No prior approval is required from RCM Examinations.

Solid four-note chords:

• Chords may be played in a rapidly rolled manner (must be quite distinct from the additional requirement of evenly broken chords in sixteenths) OR
• The lowest note of the chord may be played alone followed very quickly by the upper three notes in solid form (played like a grace note to the upper three notes played in solid form) OR
• The lower three notes of the chord in solid form may be played as a "grace chord" to the single upper octave note (the reverse of the above second option).

In all cases, use of pedal may be applied to enhance the "solid" effect. Regular four-note chord fingering should be used in all cases.

Solid octaves:

• Solid octaves may be substituted with broken octaves beginning on the lower note, either in even sixteenths, or with the lower note played as a rapid grace note to the upper octave note.

For Levels 1 - 10
Classification	Range of Marks
First Class Honors with Distinction	90 - 100
First Class Honors	80 - 89
Honors	70 - 79
Pass	60 - 69
Grade 10 ARCT Pre-requisite	75 Overall OR 70% in each section

For Performer's and Teacher's ARCT
Classification	Range of Marks
First Class Honors with Distinction	90 - 100
First Class Honors	80 - 89
Honors	70 - 79
Pass (Performers)	minimum 70
Pass (Teacher's Non-Piano)	75 Overall OR 70% in each section

For Piano Pedagogy Certificate Program
Classification	Range of Marks
First Class Honors with Distinction	90 - 100
First Class Honors	80 - 89
Honors	70 - 79
Pass (Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced Viva Voce)	Minimum 70
Pass (Advanced Practical)	70% in each section

View National Averages

The Royal Conservatory endeavours to offer examinations as scheduled, however, we urge candidates and their families to use their own discretion and judgement before venturing out in inclement weather. We encourage candidates to check with their centre representative in severe weather situations to ensure that the centre is operating.

Marks for Practical Examinations
All students may access their complete, official results (including examiner’s comments) online after the examination has taken place. The examiner’s report provides feedback on the performance to support the official marks that were awarded with information that highlights the strengths of the performance and indicates areas for improvement. The official mark reflects the examiner’s evaluation of the student’s performance during the examination. It does not factor in previous awards and accomplishments.

Please note that the examiner’s marks are final.

Marks for Theory Examinations
Students and teachers can access examination marks for written theory examinations online following the examination period. Access to complete examination results, with comments and marks, will follow.

Students may request a re-calculation or re-evaluation of the mark awarded on a theory examination for the following reasons only:

• Re-calculation of marks due to errors in the tabulation of marks or an unmarked question, or
• Re-evaluation of marks to address Inconsistency in marking or to provide clarification of marks received.

Visit the Forms and Services page to request a re-calculation or re-evaluation of a theory examination. Please note that there is a fee for these services.

For online theory exams, please see Terms and Conditions. Note that all online theory examination results are final.

Procedural Irregularities
A student may report a serious procedural irregularity if it negatively affected their exam experience and potentially the outcome of the exam.

Procedural irregularities are limited to the following categories:
Practical Examinations (remote or in-person)

• Delivery of the examination does not reflect syllabus requirements
• Interruptions or disturbances during the examination
• Medical emergencies
• Approved accommodation not provided

Theory Examinations

• Interruptions or disturbances during the examination
• Medical emergencies

Deadline for Reporting Procedural Irregularities
Procedural irregularities should be reported to Candidate Services within 48 hours of the exam so that issues that may affect other students can be corrected in a timely manner. Procedural irregularities reported after a student’s mark has been released will not be considered. This feedback must be provided to the RCM before marks are received by the student.

Splitting the Grade 10 Piano Examination

Effective Date: September 2010

Candidates may choose to perform their Grade 10 piano examination in two separate sittings:

• one consisting entirely of the candidate's repertoire;
• one consisting of technical requirements, studies, ear tests, and sight reading. Although the division of material in split examinations cannot be altered, candidates will be able to schedule the two sittings in either order.

Please note the following regulations concerning Grade 10 piano that will apply to the split- examination option:

• Candidates for the complete Grade 10 piano examination and the split Grade 10 examination must finish their practical examination requirements within two years of the first successful complete or partial Grade 10 examination.

• Candidates for the split Grade 10 piano examination may schedule their sittings within the same examination session or in different sessions, but both portions of the Grade 10 piano examination and any supplemental examinations must be completed within the two-year period.

• Grade 10 candidates who complete their examination in two sittings must complete both parts, with a minimum total mark of 65 percent, before registering for any supplemental examinations.

• All theoretical co-requisites must be completed within five years of the first successful complete or partial Grade 10 piano examination.

• Candidates in Grade 10 may repeat, as a supplemental examination, any two sections of a practical examination, including repertoire.

• Candidates must complete the Grade 10 piano examination in one sitting in order to be eligible to receive a gold medal.

• The Grade 10 split examination option is currently available to piano candidates only.

Photocopied (or scanned) music is not permitted in the examination room unless prior approval has been granted by the publisher. Composers, artists, editors, and publishers rely on sales revenues to contribute to their livelihood. Photocopying music deprives the creators of due compensation.
 
Students must provide the examiner with a published edition of each piece of music to be performed at the examination. If you only have one published edition of a selection and you have not memorized it (and/or your collaborative pianist will be using it), you will need to purchase or borrow another copy. Photocopying complete works to avoid or replace the legal purchase of a published edition is not acceptable.
 
Students may photocopy pages to facilitate a page turn only after they have received permission from the publisher. The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited grants permission to examination participants to photocopy one to two pages from their copyrighted works to facilitate a page turn. Please print this public notice and bring it with you to your examination.

Candidates and their families are not permitted to record the online component of their practical examination as this compromises the academic integrity of the Program. Recording this exam may result in the Certificate being annulled and cancellation of the candidate’s future participation in the RCM Certificate Program.

Candidates who have a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) may be eligible to use these funds to support private studies in music at the Level 9, Level 10, and ARCT levels. Please consult your RESP provider for more information.

View Syllabi

View theory marking key

View syllabus and crossover plan

Candidates working towards the Level10 certificate or ARCT diploma must complete their theory co-requisites before or within 5 years of their practical examination. Candidates who, due to extenuating circumstances, are unable to complete their theory co-requisites within the 5 year time limit, may submit a request for a time extension in writing to RCM Examinations. Such requests will be considered on an individual basis.