RCM certificate requirements by level
Choose an RCM level, from Preparatory A to ARCT, and see which practical and theory exams a student needs for that certificate. Checked against RCM in November 2026.
Elementary
Preparatory A (piano)
Practical exam: Preparatory A Practical
Theory exams: none required for this certificate
Piano only. A first exam for a student who is leaving the beginner method books.
Elementary
Preparatory B (piano)
Practical exam: Preparatory B Practical
Theory exams: none required for this certificate
Piano only. The step between Preparatory A and Level 1.
Elementary
Introductory or Preparatory (other instruments)
Practical exam: Introductory or Preparatory Practical
Theory exams: none required for this certificate
The starting level for instruments other than piano. The name depends on the instrument.
Elementary
Level 1
Practical exam: Level 1 Practical
Theory exams: none required for this certificate
No written exam is required. Students still learn theory with their teacher.
Elementary
Level 2
Practical exam: Level 2 Practical
Theory exams: none required for this certificate
No written exam is required.
Elementary
Level 3
Practical exam: Level 3 Practical
Theory exams: none required for this certificate
No written exam is required.
Elementary
Level 4
Practical exam: Level 4 Practical
Theory exams: none required for this certificate
No written exam is required. Level 5 Theory comes next, so many students start preparing for it now.
Intermediate
Level 5
Practical exam: Level 5 Practical
Theory exams for the comprehensive certificate:
- Level 5 Theory
The first level with a required theory exam.
Intermediate
Level 6
Practical exam: Level 6 Practical
Theory exams for the comprehensive certificate:
- Level 6 Theory
Intermediate
Level 7
Practical exam: Level 7 Practical
Theory exams for the comprehensive certificate:
- Level 7 Theory
Intermediate
Level 8
Practical exam: Level 8 Practical
Theory exams for the comprehensive certificate:
- Level 8 Theory
Advanced
Level 9
Practical exam: Level 9 Practical
Theory exams for the comprehensive certificate:
- Level 8 Theory
- Level 9 History
- Level 9 Harmony, or Level 9 Keyboard Harmony
Three written exams sit beside the practical exam.
Advanced
Level 10
Practical exam: Level 10 Practical
Theory exams for the comprehensive certificate:
- Level 8 Theory
- Level 9 History
- Level 9 Harmony, or Level 9 Keyboard Harmony
- Level 10 History
- Level 10 Harmony and Counterpoint, or Level 10 Keyboard Harmony
The exams from Level 9 carry forward, and two more are added.
Diploma
ARCT diploma
Practical exam: ARCT exam in performance or teaching
Theory exams for the comprehensive certificate:
- ARCT History
- ARCT Harmony and Counterpoint, or ARCT Keyboard Harmony
- ARCT Analysis
For the performance diploma, a student first needs the Level 10 comprehensive certificate in the same instrument, with a practical mark of at least 75 overall or at least 70 in every section. Check RCM's ARCT page for the full rules for each diploma.
Checked against RCM's published requirements in November 2026. RCM sets the rules and can change them. Confirm with your teacher or at rcmusic.com before you register.
Every level at a glance
| Level | Stage | Practical exam | Theory exams needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preparatory A (piano) | Elementary | Preparatory A Practical | None |
| Preparatory B (piano) | Elementary | Preparatory B Practical | None |
| Introductory or Preparatory (other instruments) | Elementary | Introductory or Preparatory Practical | None |
| Level 1 | Elementary | Level 1 Practical | None |
| Level 2 | Elementary | Level 2 Practical | None |
| Level 3 | Elementary | Level 3 Practical | None |
| Level 4 | Elementary | Level 4 Practical | None |
| Level 5 | Intermediate | Level 5 Practical | Level 5 Theory |
| Level 6 | Intermediate | Level 6 Practical | Level 6 Theory |
| Level 7 | Intermediate | Level 7 Practical | Level 7 Theory |
| Level 8 | Intermediate | Level 8 Practical | Level 8 Theory |
| Level 9 | Advanced | Level 9 Practical | Level 8 Theory. Level 9 History. Level 9 Harmony, or Level 9 Keyboard Harmony |
| Level 10 | Advanced | Level 10 Practical | Level 8 Theory. Level 9 History. Level 9 Harmony, or Level 9 Keyboard Harmony. Level 10 History. Level 10 Harmony and Counterpoint, or Level 10 Keyboard Harmony |
| ARCT diploma | Diploma | ARCT exam in performance or teaching | ARCT History. ARCT Harmony and Counterpoint, or ARCT Keyboard Harmony. ARCT Analysis |
What the marks mean
| Standing | Mark out of 100 |
|---|---|
| First Class Honors with Distinction | 90 to 100 |
| First Class Honors | 80 to 89 |
| Honors | 70 to 79 |
| Pass | 60 to 69 |
How to read the result
RCM stands for The Royal Conservatory of Music, based in Toronto. Its certificate program has a practical exam at every level. The student plays for an examiner. From Level 5 up, a student also writes theory exams.
A student who passes only the practical exam at Levels 5 to 10 earns a practical certificate. A student who also passes the listed theory exams earns the comprehensive certificate for that level. Students do not have to take the practical and theory exams in the same session.
Three things parents often miss
Theory starts to count at Level 5. Below Level 5 there is no required written exam. A student who has skipped theory until then has four levels to catch up on.
Level 9 and Level 10 share exams. Level 8 Theory, Level 9 History, and Level 9 Harmony all count toward both certificates.
Students can skip levels. RCM does not make a student take every exam in order. Some teachers enter a student for an exam every second level. The performance ARCT is the exception, because it needs the Level 10 certificate first.
For the full picture, read RCM levels explained.
Goes well with
- RCM levels explained, from Preparatory to ARCT
- RCM theory requirements by level
- RCM exam marks explained
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