The RCM Level 7 piano exam asks for three pieces, two etudes, scales and chords played hands together in ten keys, ear tests, and sight reading. Bach’s two-part inventions and Beethoven’s “Für Elise” are on the Level 7 lists. The comprehensive certificate also needs Level 7 Theory. 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, Invention No. 1 in C Major
- Bach, Invention No. 4 in D Minor
- Scarlatti, Sonata in A Major, K. 208
List B: Classical and Classical-style
- Beethoven, “Für Elise”
- Beethoven, Bagatelle in G Minor, Op. 119, No. 1
- Haydn, Sonata in C Major, Hob. XVI:1
List C: Romantic, 20th-century, and 21st-century
- Chopin, Prelude in E Minor, Op. 28, No. 4
- Grieg, “Album Leaf,” Op. 12, No. 7
- Mendelssohn, “Consolation,” Op. 30, No. 3
In a two-part invention, each hand plays its own tune, and the two tunes answer each other all the way through.
Each piece played from memory earns 2 marks, for a total of 6.
Canadian composers on the Level 7 lists include Christine Donkin, Alexina Louie, Barbara Pentland, and Barbara Assiginaak.
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 the Etude in C-sharp Minor, Op. 125, No. 19, by Heller and “Lullaby” by Burgmüller. 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 C, D, F, A-flat, and G-flat major and in C, D, F, G-sharp, and F-sharp minor, hands together, two octaves.
- Formula patterns, hands together.
- Chromatic scales, hands together.
- Four-note chords, broken, hands together, ending with a short chord progression. A four-note chord is a triad with its bottom note repeated at the top.
- Dominant 7th and diminished 7th chords, now hands together.
- Arpeggios, hands together, two octaves. Tonic arpeggios are played in root position and in inversions.
The syllabus sets a metronome speed for each pattern. Ask the teacher for the speeds.
The ear tests
- Intervals. All of the Level 6 intervals, plus minor and major 7ths.
- Chords. Major, minor, and augmented triads, the dominant 7th, and the diminished 7th.
- Chord progressions. Three chords in a major or a minor key, now with I, IV, V as a choice.
- Playback. A tune of up to ten notes.
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. A passage of eight to twelve measures, about as hard as a Level 4 piece.
Rhythm is worth 3 marks, and playing is worth 7. See how to practice sight reading at home.
Theory
Level 7 Theory, for the comprehensive certificate.
What is new since Level 6
- Bach’s two-part inventions
- Four-note chords
- All chords and arpeggios hands together
- Augmented triads and 7ths in the ear tests
- Sight reading of up to twelve measures
How a parent can help
- Listen to two recordings of the same invention and compare them
- Ask your child to play one hand of the invention while you follow the other hand in the score
- Ask the teacher which session suits the theory exam
- Ask which technical tests to practice each day
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 6 and Level 8. 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.
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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.