Accompanists
Orchestral Instrument and Voice candidates are required to provide their own accompanists. Taped accompaniments are not permitted. Examinations will not be conducted unless an accompanist is present at the examination. All selections requiring accompaniment, must be performed with piano accompaniment only. No other instruments are permitted.
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Candidate Standings
The following table summarizes the percentage of candidates across Canada who achieved standings at the Honours, First Class Honours, and First Class Honours with Distinction levels each academic year.
Teachers, students and parents may find it useful to gauge how students’ results compare to candidates from the rest of the country.
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Grade 1 |
28%
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63%
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5%
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Grade 2 |
38%
|
52%
|
4%
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Grade 3 |
47%
|
38%
|
2%
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Grade 4 |
46%
|
38%
|
2%
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Grade 5 |
48%
|
33%
|
1%
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Grade 6 |
48%
|
32%
|
2%
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Grade 7 |
48%
|
31%
|
2%
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Grade 8 |
44%
|
28%
|
2%
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Grade 9 |
45%
|
32%
|
3%
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Grade 10 |
40%
|
23%
|
3%
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ARCT Performers |
41%
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29%
|
7%
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Basic Rudiments (Preliminary Rudiments) |
12%
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29%
|
51%
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Intermediate Rudiments (Grade 1 Rudiments) |
18%
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33%
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36%
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Advanced Rudiments (Grade 2 Rudiments) |
18%
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32%
|
36%
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Basic Harmony (Grade 3 Harmony)
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37%
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39%
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6%
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Intermediate Harmony (Grade 4 Harmony) |
37%
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16%
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1%
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Counterpoint (Grade 4 Counterpoint) |
40%
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20%
|
3%
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Advanced Harmony
(Grade 5 Harmony & Counterpoint) |
34%
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18%
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1%
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Analysis (Grade 5 Analysis) |
28%
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35%
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13%
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History 1: An Overview (Grade 3 History) |
29%
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31%
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11%
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History 2: Middle Ages to Classical
(Grade 4 History) |
28%
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28%
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11%
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History 3: 19th Century to Present
(
Grade 5 History) |
27%
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28%
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14%
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Candidates with Special Needs
Candidates who have special needs may submit a written request to RCM Examinations for special accommodations to be made. Such requests must be made by the registration deadline for the respective session each time a candidate applies for an examination. RCM Examinations will consider each case individually. Click here to download the Special Needs Request Form.
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Certificate Requirements
Certificates are mailed in October and April of each year to students who successfully complete all of the requirements for their grade. For Grades 5 through ARCT, students must also complete theory examinations before the practical examination certificate is issued. Please speak with your music teacher or consult the appropriate syllabus for complete details on certificate requirements.
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Introductory Practical |
Introductory Practical |
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Grade 1 Practical |
Grade 1 Practical |
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Grade 2 Practical |
Grade 2 Practical |
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Grade 3 Practical |
Grade 3 Practical |
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Grade 4 Practical |
Grade 4 Practical |
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Grade 5 Practical and Basic Rudiments |
Grade 5 Practical |
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Grade 6 Practical and Intermediate Rudiments |
Grade 6 Practical |
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Grade 7 Practical and Advanced Rudiments |
Grade 7 Practical |
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Grade 8 Practical and Advanced Rudiments |
Grade 8 Practical |
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Grade 9 Practical, Basic Harmony, History 1: An Overview and Advanced Rudiments |
Grade 9 Practical |
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Grade 10 Practical, Intermediate Harmony, History 2: Middle Ages to Classical, History 1: An Overview, and Advanced Rudiments |
Grade 10 Practical |
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Basic Rudiments |
Preliminary Rudiments |
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Intermediate Rudiments |
Grade 1 Rudiments |
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Advanced Rudiments |
Grade 2 Rudiments |
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Basic Harmony and History 1: An Overview |
Grade 3 Theory |
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Intermediate Harmony, History 2: Middle Ages to Classical, and Counterpoint |
Grade 4 Theory |
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Advanced Harmony, History 3: 19th Century to Present and Analysis |
Grade 5 Theory |
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Classification of Marks
Detailed information on the classification of marks can be found in current syllabi.
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| First Class Honours with Distinction |
90 – 100 |
| First Class Honours |
80 – 89 |
| Honours |
70 – 79 |
| Pass |
60 – 69 |
| Grade 10 ARCT prerequisite |
75 overall or 70% in each section |
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| First Class Honours with Distinction |
90 – 100 |
| First Class Honours |
80 – 89 |
| Honours |
70 – 79 |
| Pass (Performer’s) |
minimum 70 |
| Pass (Teacher’s) |
75 overall or 70% in each section |
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Fee Extensions and Refund Policies
• Applications may not be withdrawn once submitted to RCM Examinations
• No refunds or Fee Extensions (i.e., credit for the examination fee) are granted to candidates who fail to
appear for their scheduled examination. There are no academic penalties for missed examinations.
• No refunds or Fee Extensions are given for amounts under $10.
• No refunds or Fee Extensions are granted if RCM Examinations is unable to accommodate a special
request (other than religious restrictions).
Fee Extensions or refunds will not be granted except under the two specific conditions described below. In either case, candidates must apply in writing within two weeks following the examination date and submit the following supporting documentation:
• Candidates who are unable to take an examination for medical reasons must submit a doctor’s letter.
The doctor's letter must be on the official letterhead of the doctor's office, and be signed and dated
by the doctor.
• Candidates who are unable to taken an examination because of a direct time conflict with a school
examination must submit a letter from the school. The letter must be on official school letterhead, signed
and dated by a school official, and must specify the date of the school examination
that directly conflicts with the candidate's music examination (i.e., general dates of school examinations
will not be accepted).
• Candidates who are unable to take an examination for medical reasons or because of a direct time
conflict with a school examination are eligible to request either a Fee Extension for the full amount of the
examination fee or a refund of 50 percent of their examination fee.
Fee Extensions are valid for one year from the date of the missed examination and can be used towards payment of another examination. Candidates must use their Fee Extension within this period. Fee Extensions are not transferable and may not be extended further. To redeem a Fee Extension, candidates may apply for their next examination online where the credit will automatically be applied.
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Photocopies
Composers, artists, editors, and publishers rely on sales revenues to contribute to their livelihood. Photocopying music deprives the creators of due compensation.
Please note that photocopied music will not be permitted in the examination room. Candidates who bring unauthorized photocopies to the examination will not be examined.
Candidates should bring all music to be performed to the examination. Candidates who wish to photocopy one page of a selection for the purpose of facilitating a page turn may do so with permission from the publisher. The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited is pleased to grant permission to festival, recital, and examination participants to photocopy one page from Frederick Harris Music publications for the purpose of facilitating a page turn.
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Re-Evaluations / Re-Calculations of Theory Examinations
Candidates may appeal the mark awarded on a theory examination only for the following reasons:
• an error in the tabulation of marks
• a substantial error or inconsistency in marking
• a clarification of the reasons for the mark received
All enquiries concerning re-calculation or re-evaluation of marks must be addressed in writing to RCM Examinations. Candidates should submit all documentation and fees as outlined below. Please allow four weeks for a reply.
Important: Any re-evaluation or re-calculation of marks may lead not only to an increase to the mark, but also to a lowering of the mark or to a confirmation of the existing mark.
Re-Calculation of Marks
Candidates who find either an obvious error in the tabulation of marks on an examination paper or a question that has not been marked, may request a re-calculation of marks from RCM Examinations.
The candidate
must submit:
• the original examination paper(s)
• a letter detailing the problem
• the requisite fee for re-calculations
In the event that a calculation or clerical error in the examination marks is found to be in the candidate’s favour, then the mark will be adjusted accordingly and the administrative fee will be refunded.
Re-Evaluation of Theory Papers
Candidates who believe there has been a substantial error or inconsistency in the marking of questions on an examination paper may request a re-evaluation of the entire examination paper.
The candidate must submit:
• the original examination paper(s)
• a letter demonstrating why the candidate’s given answer has been marked incorrectly,
citing specific instances
• the requisite fee for re-evaluations
The examination paper will be returned to the candidate, along with a written critique for each question from a member of the RCM Examinations College of Examiners. If the re-evaluation results in a higher mark, then the re-evaluation fee will be refunded.
| March 1 |
for Theory Examinations written in the Winter Session |
| September 1 |
for Theory Examinations written in the Spring Session |
| November 1 |
for Theory Examinations written in the Summer Session |
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Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) Eligibility
Candidates who have a Registered Education Savings
Plan (RESP) may be eligible to use these funds to
support private studies in music at the Grade 9,
Grade 10, and ARCT levels. Please consult your RESP
provider for more information.
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Time Extensions
Candidates working towards the Grade 10 certificate or ARCT diploma must complete their theory co-requisites before or within 5 years of their practical examination. Candidates who, due to extenuating circumstances, are unable to complete their theory co-requisites within the 5 year time limit, may submit a request for a time extension in writing to RCM Examinations. Such requests will be considered on an individual basis.
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Transfer of Theory Credits
Detailed information on transfer of theory credits can be found in the Theory Syllabus, 2002 edition.
In general:
• Candidates who hold certificates or diplomas
in theoretical subjects from other recognized
Examination
Systems may apply to transfer these credits.
• To view a list of accepted theory examination equivalents, click here.
• To apply for a transfer of theory credit,
click
here to download a request form
• Candidates for practical ARCT diplomas who
hold degrees or diplomas from other music institutions
may be exempted from RCM Theory examinations
by writing the Comprehensive Theory Examination
(for detailed information on this examination,
please consult the Theory Syllabus, 2002
edition).
• To apply for permission to write the Comprehensive
Theory Examination, click
here to download
a request form.
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