How to choose RCM exam pieces from Lists A, B, and C

A Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) piano exam asks for one piece from each list. The lists sort music by era, so a student plays more than one style. This page explains the lists, the rules for swapping a piece, and a way to choose.

The rules come from the RCM Piano Syllabus, 2022 Edition. The teacher makes the final call on every piece.

What the lists mean at each level

Level	List A	List B	List C	List D	List E
Levels 1 and 2	Baroque and Classical	Romantic, 20th century, and 21st century	Inventions
Levels 3 to 7	Baroque	Classical and Classical-style	Romantic, 20th century, and 21st century
Levels 8 and 9	Baroque	Classical	Romantic	Post-Romantic, 20th century, and 21st century
Level 10	Works by J.S. Bach	Classical	Romantic	Post-Romantic, Impressionist, and early 20th century	20th and 21st century

Preparatory A and B have no lettered lists. The student plays three contrasting pieces.

An invention is a short piece in which the two hands trade the same tune. For the eras, read the music history timeline.

How many pieces to prepare

Level	Pieces	Etudes
Preparatory A and B	3	None
Levels 1 and 2	3, one from each list	1
Levels 3 to 7	3, one from each list	2
Levels 8 and 9	4, one from each list	2
Level 10	5, one from each list	2

How the pieces are marked

At Levels 1 to 7, the pieces are worth 56 marks out of 100. List A is worth 16, List B is worth 18, List C is worth 16, and memory is worth 6. Levels 8 to 10 split the marks across more lists. Each level page on this site has its table.

Memory. Up to Level 8, playing from memory earns marks. The pieces carry 6 memory marks in total. In Levels 9 and 10, the student loses 1 mark for each piece played with the music. Etudes do not have to be memorized.

Repeats. The syllabus says repeat signs are skipped in the exam, unless the syllabus or the RCM book marks a repeat to be played. Da capo signs are followed.

The swap rules

The syllabus allows a few swaps without asking RCM.

One piece from the next level up. In Levels 1 to 10, a student may play one piece from the same list of the next level. The same goes for one etude. The examiner marks it at the higher level’s standard. This swap is not allowed for List C at Level 2.

One Teacher’s Choice piece. A student may play one piece that is not in the syllabus. It has to match the level in length, difficulty, and quality. It is allowed in these lists only.

Level	Lists that allow a Teacher’s Choice piece
Levels 1 and 2	List B
Levels 3 to 7	List C
Levels 8 and 9	List C or List D
Level 10	List C, List D, or List E

One popular piece in place of an etude. In Levels 1 to 10, a student may replace one etude with a piece from RCM’s Popular Selection List. The piece comes from the student’s level or the level above.

Any other swap needs RCM’s substitute piece request form. It is due before the registration deadline. RCM’s Canadian fee list shows $32 for the request.

A way to choose with your child

1. Hear the choices. The RCM repertoire book comes with recordings. Play the pieces for each list in the car or at dinner. Ask your child to star the ones they like.

2. Let the teacher narrow it. The teacher knows which pieces fit your child’s hands and skills. Bring the starred list to the lesson.

3. Look for contrast. The syllabus encourages a balanced program with a mix of styles and keys. Three pieces in the same key and speed show less of what a student can do. Aim for one fast piece, one slow piece, and one with a different mood.

4. Pick one piece that shows a strength. A child with quick fingers can pick a bright Baroque piece. A child with a singing tone can pick a slow Romantic piece.

5. Limit the stretch. One hard piece is plenty. An exam program built of three hard pieces leaves no room for a bad day.

6. Check the size of the hands. Some pieces need a full octave reach. A small hand can choose a piece without wide chords.

7. Think about memory. Pieces with clear sections and repeating patterns are easier to memorize than pieces that wander.

8. Start the longest piece first. It needs the most weeks.

When to choose

Choose the pieces before you pick the exam session. The teacher decides when your child is far enough along to register. For the timeline, read how to prepare for an RCM practical exam, week by week and RCM exam dates and deadlines.

The pieces at each level

Each level page lists sample pieces for every list.

• RCM Level 1 piano
• RCM Level 2 piano
• RCM Level 3 piano
• RCM Level 4 piano
• RCM Level 5 piano
• RCM Level 6 piano
• RCM Level 7 piano
• RCM Level 8 piano
• RCM Level 9 piano
• RCM Level 10 piano

For the books that hold the pieces, read RCM piano books explained.

Sources

Checked in November 2026.

• The Royal Conservatory. Piano Syllabus, 2022 Edition.
• The Royal Conservatory. Piano sampler, 2022. Hosted by the Music Teachers National Association.
• The Royal Conservatory. Examination and other service fees, Canada.