Introduction
If you are a violin student planning to do your RCM practical exams and want to know precisely what you will be graded on – this is the page for you! This guide will tell you exactly what each section of the exam is worth to help you decide how to allocate your prep time for optimal results! We created our “Ultimate RCM Violin Exam Mark Guide” with you – the student – in mind!
Note: information contained in this guide is current as of July 2021 and is based on the latest (2021) edition of “The Royal Conservatory Violin Syllabus”.
RCM VIOLIN EXAM REQUIREMENTS FOR: ELEMENTARY LEVELS (Preparatory - Level 4)
Preparatory Violin
Repertoire: students are required to perform a total of 2 pieces and can earn 3 extra marks per piece if they have it memorized. This section is worth 56 marks.
Technical Requirements: consists of 1 etude and technical tests. A maximum of 24 marks are given for this section.
Musicianship: includes Ear Tests and Sight Reading components, each worth 10 marks, for a combined total of 20.
The exam is out of 100, with 60 being the passing grade.
Level 1 Violin
Repertoire: students are required to perform a total of 2 pieces and can earn 3 extra marks per piece if they have it memorized. This section is worth 56 marks.
Technical Requirements: includes 1 etude and technical tests. Note that no memory marks are given for the etude, which means students can have their sheet music in front of them while playing if they wish. A maximum of 24 marks are given for this section.
Musicianship: includes Ear Tests and Sight Reading components, each worth 10 marks, for a combined total of 20.
The exam is out of 100, with 60 being the passing grade.
Level 2 Violin
Repertoire: students are required to perform a total of 2 pieces and can earn 3 extra marks per piece if they have it memorized. This section is worth 56 marks.
Technical Requirements: includes 1 etude and technical tests. Note that no memory marks are given for the etude, which means students can have their sheet music in front of them while playing if they wish. A maximum of 24 marks are given for this section.
Musicianship: includes Ear Tests and Sight Reading components, each worth 10 marks, for a combined total of 20.
The exam is out of 100, with 60 being the passing grade.
Level 3 Violin
Repertoire: students are required to perform a total of 3 pieces and can earn 2 extra marks per piece if they have it memorized. This section is worth 60 marks.
Technical Requirements: includes 2 etudes and technical tests. Note that no memory marks are given for the etudes, which means students can have their sheet music in front of them while playing if they wish. A maximum of 20 marks are given for this section.
Musicianship: includes Ear Tests and Sight Reading components, each worth 10 marks, for a combined total of 20.
The exam is out of 100, with 60 being the passing grade.
Level 4 Violin
Repertoire: students are required to perform a total of 3 pieces and can earn 2 extra marks per piece if they have it memorized. This section is worth 60 marks.
Technical Requirements: includes 2 etudes and technical tests. Note that no memory marks are given for the etudes, which means students can have their sheet music in front of them while playing if they wish. A maximum of 20 marks are given for this section.
Musicianship: includes Ear Tests and Sight Reading components, each worth 10 marks, for a combined total of 20.
The exam is out of 100, with 60 being the passing grade.
RCM VIOLIN EXAM REQUIREMENTS FOR: INTERMEDIATE LEVELS (Level 5 - Level 8)
Level 5 Violin
Repertoire: students are required to perform a total of 3 pieces and can earn 3 extra marks for List A and C pieces if they have them memorized. This section is worth 60 marks.
Technical Requirements: includes 2 etudes and technical tests. Note that no memory marks are given for the etudes, which means students can have their sheet music in front of them while playing if they wish. A maximum of 20 marks are given for this section.
Musicianship: includes Ear Tests and Sight Reading components, each worth 10 marks, for a combined total of 20.
The exam is out of 100, with 60 being the passing grade.
Starting at level 5, students must also write a co-requisite theory exam if they wish to earn a Comprehensive Certificate for their particular level. For level 5, the co-requisite theory exam is “Level 5 Theory”.
Level 6 Violin
Repertoire: students are required to perform a total of 3 pieces and can earn 3 extra marks for List A and C pieces if they have them memorized. This section is worth 60 marks.
Technical Requirements: includes 2 etudes and technical tests. Note that no memory marks are given for the etudes, which means students can have their sheet music in front of them while playing if they wish. A maximum of 20 marks are given for this section.
Musicianship: includes Ear Tests and Sight Reading components, each worth 10 marks, for a combined total of 20.
The exam is out of 100, with 60 being the passing grade.
Students must also write a co-requisite theory exam (“Level 6 Theory”) if they wish to earn a Comprehensive Certificate for this level.
Level 7 Violin
Repertoire: students are required to perform a total of 3 pieces and can earn 3 extra marks for List A and C pieces if they have them memorized. This section is worth 50 marks.
Orchestral Excerpts: this new component is introduced to the exam starting at this level and is worth 10 marks.
Technical Requirements: includes 1 etude and technical tests. Note that no memory marks are given for the etude, which means students can have their sheet music in front of them while playing if they wish. A maximum of 20 marks are given for this section.
Musicianship: includes Ear Tests and Sight Reading components, each worth 10 marks, for a combined total of 20.
The exam is out of 100, with 60 being the passing grade.
Students must also write the co-requisite “Level 7 Theory” exam if they wish to earn a Comprehensive Certificate for this level.
Level 8 Violin
Repertoire: students are required to perform a total of 4 pieces and can earn 2 extra marks for List A, C and D pieces if they have them memorized. This section is worth 50 marks.
Orchestral Excerpts: 2 excerpts are now required for this component, for a total of 10 marks.
Technical Requirements: includes 1 etude and technical tests. Note that no memory marks are given for the etude, which means students can have their sheet music in front of them while playing if they wish. A maximum of 20 marks are given for this section.
Musicianship: includes Ear Tests and Sight Reading components, each worth 10 marks, for a combined total of 20.
The exam is out of 100, with 60 being the passing grade.
Students must also write the co-requisite “Level 8 Theory” exam if they wish to earn a Comprehensive Certificate for this level.
RCM VIOLIN EXAM REQUIREMENTS FOR: ADVANCED LEVELS (Level 9 - Level 10)
Level 9 Violin
Repertoire: students are required to perform a total of 4 pieces for Level 9 Repertoire. A number of marks (see parentheses) will be deducted for not having memorized the indicated pieces. A maximum of 50 marks can be earned for this section.
Orchestral Excerpts: 2 excerpts must be performed, for a total of 10 marks.
Technical Requirements: includes 1 etude and technical tests. Note that no memory marks are given for the etude, which means students can have their sheet music in front of them while playing if they wish. A maximum of 20 marks are given for this section.
Musicianship: includes Ear Tests and Sight Reading components, each worth 10 marks, for a combined total of 20.
The exam is out of 100, with 60 being the passing grade.
Students must also write the co-requisite “Level 8 Theory”, “Level 9 History”, and “Level 9 Harmony” (or “Keyboard Harmony”) exams if they wish to earn a Comprehensive Certificate for this level.
Level 10 Violin
Repertoire: students are required to perform a total of 4 pieces for Level 10 Repertoire. A number of marks (see parentheses) will be deducted for not having memorized the indicated pieces. A maximum of 50 marks can be earned for this section.
Orchestral Excerpts: 2 excerpts must be performed, for a total of 10 marks.
Technical Requirements: includes 1 etude and technical tests. Note that no memory marks are given for the etude, which means students can have their sheet music in front of them while playing if they wish. A maximum of 20 marks are given for this section.
Musicianship: includes Ear Tests and Sight Reading components, each worth 10 marks, for a combined total of 20.
The exam is out of 100, with 70 being the passing grade.
Students must also write the co-requisite “Level 8 Theory”, “Level 9 History”, “Level 9 Harmony” (or “Keyboard Harmony”), “Level 10 History”, and “Level 10 Harmony & Counterpoint” (or “Keyboard Harmony”) exams if they wish to earn a Comprehensive Certificate for this level..
Students who plan to pursue an ARCT (Associate of the Royal Conservatory) Diploma after Level 10 must receive either an overall mark of 75 or a minimum of 70% in each section of this exam. The numbers in bold parentheses indicate the minimum number of marks required to receive 70% for each section.
- Learn everything you need to know about RCM exams with “RCM Exams: Your Complete Guide”
- See exactly how RCM Piano Exams are graded with “The Ultimate RCM Piano Exam Mark Guide”
- Get the most out of your practice sessions with our “5 Best Practice Tips for Music Students”
Just fill out our quick trial lesson form and wait to hear from us within 1-2 business days. If you like your trial lesson, you can sign up for regular lessons with us! Our lessons are available online (Zoom or Skype) as well as in-person if you live close to our location. Start learning your favorite instrument with one of our amazing teachers today!
