RCM Level 5 piano: what the exam asks for

The RCM Level 5 piano exam asks for three pieces, two etudes, a larger set of scales and chords, ear tests, and sight reading. It is the first of the intermediate levels and the first with a theory exam. A student who passes the practical exam and Level 5 Theory earns the comprehensive certificate. The pass mark for each 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, Little Prelude in C Major, BWV 939
• Scarlatti, Sonata in D Minor, K. 34

List B: Classical and Classical-style

• Clementi, Sonatina in C Major, Op. 36, No. 3
• Beethoven, Minuet in G Major
• Haydn, Sonata in G Major, Hob. XVI:8

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

• Schumann, “Hunting Song”
• Tchaikovsky, “Sweet Dreams”
• Grieg, Waltz

Bach wrote his Little Preludes as teaching pieces. Read Bach for kids.

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

Canadian composers on the Level 5 lists include Alexina Louie, Jean Coulthard, Stephen Chatman, and Vincent Ho.

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 “Harmony of the Angels” by Burgmüller and the Prelude, Op. 39, No. 19, by Kabalevsky. 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 A, E, F, and A-flat major and in A, E, and F minor, hands together, two octaves.
• Formula patterns in A major and A minor.
• Chromatic scales, hands together, one octave.
• Triads in the scale keys, broken and solid, ending with a short chord pattern.
• Dominant 7th chords, hands separately, one octave. This is a four-note chord built on the fifth note of the key.
• Arpeggios, hands separately, two octaves.

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

The ear tests

• Intervals. Minor and major 3rds, perfect 4ths and 5ths, minor and major 6ths, and the octave.
• Chords. Major triads, minor triads, and the dominant 7th chord.
• Chord progressions. The examiner plays three chords in a major key, and the student names them as I, IV, I or as I, V, I.
• Playback. A tune of up to eight notes. The examiner plays it three times. The student claps or sings it after the second time and plays it after the third. A student may choose to improvise an answer to a given phrase.

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

Sight reading

• Rhythm. A four-measure rhythm.
• Playing. An eight-measure passage, about as hard as a Level 2 piece, with up to two sharps or flats. A student may choose to play from a lead sheet, which gives a tune and chord symbols.

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

Theory

Level 5 Theory, for the comprehensive certificate. It is a written exam with its own date and its own mark. See RCM theory requirements by level.

What is new since Level 4

• A theory exam for the comprehensive certificate
• Dominant 7th chords
• Chord progressions in the ear tests
• No clapback as a separate test
• Sight reading of eight measures
• Options to improvise and to read a lead sheet

How a parent can help

• Ask the teacher when to book the theory exam
• Set aside one practice a week for written theory
• Sing the intervals with songs. See intervals explained
• Let your child run the practice, and check the list at the end

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 4 and Level 6. 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.