Preparatory A and Preparatory B are the two RCM piano levels that come before Level 1. They are for children in their first years of lessons. In each exam, the student plays three pieces and a few technical tests, and does short ear tests and sight reading. The pieces carry 66 of the 100 marks. A mark of 60 is a pass. There is no theory exam to write.
Both exams are optional. A student can skip them and begin with Level 1.
How the marks are split
The split is the same for Preparatory A and Preparatory B in the RCM Piano Syllabus, 2022 Edition.
| Part | Marks |
|---|---|
| Repertoire: three pieces at 20 marks each, plus 6 for memory | 66 |
| Technical tests | 14 |
| Ear tests: clapback 4, chords 2, playback 4 | 10 |
| Sight reading: rhythm 5, playing 5 | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
There are no etudes at these two levels. Etudes begin at Level 1.
The pieces
The student plays three contrasting pieces chosen from the list in the syllabus. Two marks are given for each piece played from memory.
The syllabus allows some swaps. A Preparatory A student may replace one piece with a piece from the Preparatory B list. A Preparatory B student may replace one piece with a piece from Level 1. At both levels, one piece may be a teacher’s choice that is not on the list, as long as it is close in length and difficulty.
The technical tests
Preparatory A. Five-finger patterns, played hands separately, in C, G, and D major and A minor. Each one ends with a chord. There is also a set of triads in C major, played broken and then solid.
Preparatory B. Five-finger patterns in more keys. One-octave scales in C major, G major, and A minor, hands separately. A C major scale in contrary motion, with the two hands moving in opposite directions. Broken triads in C major, G major, and A minor.
The syllabus gives a metronome speed for each. The metronome for kids helps a child keep them even.
The ear tests
Clapback. The examiner plays a short melody, and the child claps its rhythm.
Chords. The examiner plays a chord, and the child says if it is major or minor.
Playback. The examiner plays a four-note melody built from the first three notes of a scale. The child plays it back.
RCM ear tests explained has games for each one.
The sight reading
Rhythm. The child taps a steady beat and performs a rhythm two measures long.
Playing. In Preparatory A, the child plays two four-note melodies, one with each hand. The notes move by step in one direction. In Preparatory B, the child plays a short melody that passes from one hand to the other.
RCM sight reading has a daily routine.
Who these exams suit
A Preparatory exam is a gentle first exam. The pieces are short, and so is the exam.
It suits a child who likes a goal and would enjoy playing for a new listener. It gives a child and a parent a first look at how exams work.
It may not suit a child who is anxious, or a family in a busy season. Nothing is lost by waiting. Level 1 does not require the Preparatory levels.
How to prepare
Give it three months. Learn the pieces first. Add the technical tests a few at a time. Do one ear test and one sight-reading line each day. Hold a pretend exam at home two or three times. How to prepare for an RCM practical exam lays out the weeks, and RCM exam day covers the day itself.
Where these levels sit
The full ladder is in RCM levels explained, from Preparatory to ARCT. To make sense of the result, read RCM exam marks explained.
Source: RCM Piano Syllabus, 2022 Edition, pages 8 to 15, checked in November 2026. Confirm the current requirements 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.