On the day of an RCM practical exam, arrive 15 minutes early with original copies of all the music and any program form RCM asks for. The student goes into the room alone and plays for one examiner. Parents wait in the waiting area. The marks and the examiner’s comments are posted online within six weeks.
These points come from the exam day checklists that The Royal Conservatory publishes for students.
What to bring
Original music. Bring original copies of every piece being performed. Photocopied music is not allowed unless the publisher has given permission.
Marked pages. Mark the first page of each piece with a paper clip or a sticky note, so the examiner can find it.
The program form. Fill in the examination program form ahead of time.
Photo ID. RCM says a student may be asked for photo ID before going into the room.
Shoes that work. For piano, RCM reminds students to wear proper shoes, because some shoes make pedaling hard.
What to leave outside
Phones, books, notes, bags, and coats stay in the area the exam staff point out. Recording devices are not allowed in the exam room.
When to arrive
Plan to arrive 15 minutes early. That leaves time to find the room, use the washroom, and settle.
RCM notes that there are no warm-up rooms for piano students. Warm up at home before you leave. Students who play with an accompanist arrange for the accompanist to arrive early too.
Where parents wait
Parents, family, friends, and teachers wait in the waiting area. RCM does not allow anyone to stand and listen outside the exam room door.
Say goodbye in the waiting area, keep it light, and let your child walk in alone.
What happens in the room
There is one examiner, a desk, and the instrument. RCM tells students to expect a friendly and professional atmosphere and the examiner’s full attention.
The examiner hears each part of the exam: the pieces, the etudes, the technical tests, the ear tests, and the sight reading. The examiner writes notes while the student plays. This is normal. It does not mean something went wrong.
The examiner may stop a piece early. RCM states that an examiner may interrupt a performance once an assessment has been reached, and that an interruption does not mean the performance was poor.
Mistakes happen. A student who slips keeps going. Examiners expect small slips.
How long it takes
The length depends on the level. Early levels are short, and higher levels take longer. The exam schedule from RCM shows the time slot.
After the exam
Marks and comments are posted to the student’s online RCM account. RCM says the written evaluation is available within six weeks. The comments come as a file to download.
On the day, skip the questions about mistakes. Ask what part went best, and go and do something fun.
When the report arrives, read RCM exam marks explained to make sense of the numbers.
Remote exams
RCM also offers practical exams by video call. The setup is different. Read RCM remote exams: how they work at home, and ask the teacher which format your child is booked for.
A calm morning
- Eat a normal breakfast
- Play each piece once at home, and no more
- Pack the bag the night before
- Leave early enough that traffic does not matter
- Bring a snack and a book for the wait
The week before
The last week is for light, steady practice. How to prepare for an RCM practical exam sets out the weeks before. For the whole system, read music exams for kids.
Sources: the RCM piano practical exam day checklist and non-piano practical exam day checklist, checked in November 2026. Rules can change, so confirm the details with the teacher.
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Use it with your kids
Print a listening page, a practice chart, or a composer fact sheet. Or try a tool, such as the composer timeline or the piece picker.