Detailed information on examination requirements and policies can be found in a current syllabus. The following general information covers commonly asked questions.
Accompanists
Orchestral Instrument and Voice candidates are required to provide their own accompanists. Taped accompaniments are not permitted. Examinations will not be conducted unless an accompanist is present at the examination. All selections requiring accompaniment, must be performed with piano accompaniment only. No other instruments are permitted.
Accompaniment Policy
In order to provide the most consistent approach and ensure a satisfactory experience for our candidates, please be advised of the following policy statements:
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All selections requiring accompaniment must be performed with piano accompaniment only. No other instruments are permitted. Recorded accompaniment is not permitted.
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Candidates must provide their own collaborative pianist. Collaborative pianists are permitted in the examination room only during the accompanied portion of the examination.
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Candidates who do not provide a collaborative pianist will not be examined.
The Royal Conservatory Syllabi outline the most current guidelines and policies on accompaniment requirements. You can also read more about the Accompaniment Policy here.
ARCT and LRCM Diploma Requirements
| Diplomas | Examinations Required |
|
ARCT Performer's** |
ARCT Performer's Any two of:
|
|
ARCT Teacher's** |
ARCT Teacher's (Non-Piano) Any two of:
|
|
ARCT in Piano Pedagogy** |
Advanced Piano Pedagogy Any two of:
|
|
ARCT in Composition and/or Theory |
Renaissance Counterpoint |
|
LRCM in Piano Performance |
LRCM in Piano Performance |
**Candidates who complete all three senior-level harmony stream courses (Advanced Harmony or Advanced Keyboard Harmony, Counterpoint, and Analysis) will receive the special Advanced Certificate: History and Theory.
Candidate Standings
The following table summarizes the percentage of candidates across Canada who achieved standings at the Honors, First Class Honors, and First Class Honors with Distinction levels each academic year.
Teachers, students and parents may find it useful to gauge how students' results compare to candidates from the rest of the country.
| Range of Marks | 70 - 79 | 80 - 89 | 90 - 100 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical | |||
| Level 1 | 28% | 63% | 5% |
| Level 2 | 38% | 52% | 4% |
| Level 3 | 47% | 38% | 2% |
| Level 4 | 46% | 38% | 2% |
| Level 5 | 48% | 33% | 1% |
| Level 6 | 48% | 32% | 2% |
| Level 7 | 48% | 31% | 2% |
| Level 8 | 44% | 28% | 2% |
| Level 9 | 45% | 32% | 3% |
| Level 10 | 40% | 23% | 3% |
| ARCT Performers | 41% | 29% | 7% |
| Theory | |||
| Basic Rudiments | 12% | 29% | 51% |
| Inermediate Rudiments | 18% | 33% | 36% |
| Advanced Rudiments | 18% | 32% | 36% |
| Basic Harmony | 37% | 39% | 6% |
| Intermediate Harmony | 37% | 16% | 1% |
| Counterpoint | 40% | 20% | 3% |
| Advanced Harmony | 34% | 18% | 1% |
| Analysis | 28% | 35% | 13% |
| History 1: An Overview | 29% | 31% | 11% |
| History 2: Middle Ages to Classical | 28% | 28% | 11% |
| History 3: 19th Century to Present | 27% | 28% | 14% |
Candidates with Small Hands
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
Classification of Marks
| 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 |
Examination National Averages (Canada only)
Grade 10 Piano Candidates
Splitting the Grade 10 Piano Examination
Effective Date: September 2010
Beginning with the January 2011 examination session, 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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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All theoretical co-requisites must be completed within five years of the first successful complete or partial Grade 10 piano examination.
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Candidates in Grade 10 may repeat, as a supplemental examination, any two sections of a practical examination, including repertoire.
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Candidates must complete the Grade 10 piano examination in one sitting in order to be eligible to receive a gold medal.
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The Grade 10 split examination option is currently available to piano candidates only.
Inclement Weather
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.
Photocopies
Composers, artists, editors, and publishers rely on sales revenues to contribute to their livelihood. Photocopying music deprives the creators of due compensation.
Candidates should bring all music to be performed to the examination. Candidates who wish to photocopy one page of a selection for the purpose of facilitating a page turn may do so with permission from the publisher. The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited is pleased to grant permission to festival, recital, and examination participants to photocopy one page from Frederick Harris Music publications for the purpose of facilitating a page turn. The student should be prepared to bring an original copy of the music for the examiner, another original copy for the accompanist, and an additional copy for themselves, if the pieces are not memorized.
Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) Eligibility
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.
Syllabi
Theory Marking Key
Theory Syllabus 2016 and Crossover Plan
Time Extensions
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.
Photo courtesy of Marie Janssen