RCM Level 3 piano: what the exam asks for

The RCM Level 3 piano exam asks for three pieces, two etudes, scales played hands together, triads, ear tests, and sight reading. Two things change from Level 2. The three lists of pieces are now sorted by period, and the student plays two etudes. No theory exam is required. The pass mark is 60 out of 100.

The marks

Part of the exam	Marks
Repertoire: List A	16
Repertoire: List B	18
Repertoire: List C	16
Repertoire: memory	6
Etudes	12
Technical tests	12
Ear tests	10
Sight reading	10
Total	100

A mark of 60 passes, 70 earns Honors, and 80 earns First Class Honors. See RCM exam marks explained.

The pieces

The student plays three pieces, one from each list. Here are a few of the choices.

List A: Baroque

• Bach (attributed), Musette in D Major, BWV Anh. 126
• Handel, Gavotte in G Major
• Purcell, “A New Irish Tune”

List B: Classical and Classical-style

• Clementi, Sonatina in C Major, Op. 36, No. 1, first movement
• Beethoven (attributed), Sonatina in G Major

List C: Romantic, 20th-century, and 21st-century

• Kabalevsky, “At Night on the River”
• Bartók, “Play”
• Anne Crosby Gaudet, “The Stormy Sea”

List B holds the sonatinas. A sonatina is a short sonata, and many students play their first one at this level.

Each piece played from memory earns 2 marks, for a total of 6.

Canadian composers on the Level 3 lists include Alexina Louie, Ann Southam, Nancy Telfer, and Linda Niamath.

RCM prints a repertoire book and an etudes book for each level in its Celebration Series. The syllabus marks the pieces that are in those books and lists others that a teacher may choose.

The etudes

Two etudes that train different skills. Examples on the list are “Arabesque” by Burgmüller and “Trumpet March” by Gedike. A student may replace one etude with a piece from RCM’s Popular Selection List.

The technical tests

The examiner asks for a selection of these, from memory.

• Scales in D, F, and B-flat major and in B, D, and G minor, hands together, two octaves. Minor scales are played in harmonic and melodic forms.
• A formula pattern in D major, hands together.
• A chromatic scale starting on D, hands separately.
• Triads in the six scale keys, hands separately, now over two octaves, broken and solid.

The syllabus sets a metronome speed for each pattern. Ask the teacher for the speeds.

The ear tests

• Clapback. A tune of three or four measures.
• Intervals. A minor 3rd, a major 3rd, a perfect 4th, or a perfect 5th.
• Chords. The student names a triad as major or minor. The examiner also plays one note of the triad, and the student says whether it is the root, the third, or the fifth.
• Playback. A tune of five or six notes.

The 10 marks are split like this: clapback 2, intervals 2, chords 2, playback 4. See RCM ear tests explained.

Sight reading

• Rhythm. A four-measure rhythm.
• Playing. A four-measure passage, hands together.

Rhythm is worth 3 marks, and playing is worth 7. See how to practice sight reading at home.

Theory

None is required.

What is new since Level 2

• Lists sorted into Baroque, Classical, and Romantic or modern
• A sonatina movement
• Two etudes
• Scales hands together
• Sight reading hands together

How a parent can help

• Help plan practice so that both etudes and all three pieces get time each week
• Listen to a recording of the sonatina together
• Ask for one scale, hands together, at the start of each practice
• Track the weeks on a 30-day practice chart

Before you register

RCM can change its requirements. Confirm the pieces, the keys, and the dates with your child’s teacher. For the weeks before the exam, read how to prepare for an RCM practical exam. For the day itself, read RCM exam day: what to expect.

Other levels

Read about Level 2 and Level 4. For the whole ladder, see RCM levels explained and the RCM certificate requirements tool.

Sources

Checked in November 2026.

• The Royal Conservatory. Piano Syllabus, 2022 Edition.
• Joy Morin, Color in My Piano. Technical requirements charts for the 2022 syllabus, used to cross-check the keys.