The Royal Conservatory of Music Certificate Program

Who takes these exams

Students of piano, other instruments and voice take the practical levels. Teachers in Canada and the US use the program as a shared standard. Exam centers operate in all Canadian provinces and territories.

What the levels cover

• Practical levels run from Preparatory through Levels 1 to 10. The Associate Diploma (ARCT) and the Licentiate (LRCM) sit above them.
• Theory exams begin at Level 5. They cover keys, intervals, chords, melody writing, analysis and history.

What the levels lead to

• From Level 5, a full certificate needs two passes. Students pass the practical exam and the theory exam of the same level. Level 5 practical pairs with Level 5 Theory. The same pairing holds at each level up to Level 8.
• Levels 9 and 10 and the ARCT need further exams in harmony, history and other subjects.
• In Canada, RCM certificates can earn secondary school credit in each province. In the US, each school board decides.

How it compares with other boards

The RCM ties theory to each practical level from Level 5. ABRSM asks for one theory pass at Grade 5. Trinity asks for none.

Practice on The Music Stem

• RCM theory practice covers Level 5, Level 6, Level 7 and Level 8.
• Ear tests and sight-reading support the practical levels.