Remote Practical Exams FAQ

If something goes wrong at the start of the exam or during the exam, please submit this form and a team member will get back to you within 1 business day (Monday to Friday). 

Your Program Form is available in your MyRCM account. Please click on the link to complete and submit the Program Form online as soon as possible, but no later than 24 hours prior to your exam. 

This page outlines the specific conditions for remote exams in each discipline. If you are unable to meet these conditions, please register for an in-person examination during the next available session. 

A second examiner may be present during your examination for quality assurance and training purposes. Your exam will still be evaluated by your assigned examiner. 

The collaborative pianist requirement varies depending upon your discipline and/or level. Please review the Accompaniment Policy.

Effective 1 February 2024, examinations that do not follow the accompaniment policy may be subject to a deduction of up to 10 marks.

For Levels Prep to 4 only, there are two accompaniment options:

1. On-site Collaborative pianist
2. Recorded accompaniment

Students must provide their own collaborative pianist or the device on which the accompaniment is to be played. For Levels 5 and up, recorded accompaniment is not permitted; students must provide their own collaborative pianist.

No: If you have questions or concerns about the format of your remote exam, please contact Candidate Services. 
 

Please follow these steps to ensure that your mail provider is not blocking email from The RCM. Most information being emailed is also online, except for voucher notices and exam date/time confirmations.  

1. Check your Spam or Junk Mail Folder; sometimes emails from The Royal Conservatory and/or The RCM Certificate Program end up there due to filter settings by email providers. 
2. Add noreply@rcmusic.ca to your safe-sender list.  
3. Verify that the email addresses for yourself and the student are correct: 

• Login to MyRCM 
• To review your email address, select  “My Account Details” and confirm that your email is correct. If it is not, update the email address to receive relevant communications from The RCM. 
• To review the student’s email address, select “My Family” and the student’s name to confirm that their email address is correct. If it is not, update the email address to receive relevant communications from The RCM. 

The Candidate/Account Services team may sometimes experience a high volume of calls and emails. If your situation is urgent and cannot be resolved by reviewing the information on this webpage, please call us. 

A tuned acoustic piano is preferred for a remote piano exam, but a weighted-touch (touch-sensitive) keyboard (preferably 88 keys, but a minimum of 76 keys) is permitted for Preparatory to Level 8 piano exams only.  

Weighted keys are a feature of some electronic keyboards to imitate the feel and action of an acoustic piano. If you are unsure if your keyboard has weighted keys, search online for the brand/model of your keyboard and review the manufacturer’s description. 

No: Students (or other individuals) are not permitted to record the online component of their practical examination as this compromises the academic integrity of the program. Recording this exam may result in the Certificate being annulled and cancellation of the candidate's future participation in The RCM Certificate Program. All remote exams are recorded by The RCM Certificate Program for quality assurance and safety reasons. These videos will remain confidential and will not be published. By registering for an exam, students consent to this recording.  

Please check your MyRCM account to see if your exam has been scheduled. If so, your Program Form and your Prepared Sight Reading will be available in your MyRCM account. The confirmation email is a courtesy to inform you of your scheduled exam date/time. You can also check your Spam/Junk folder, check the email address associated with your account for typos, and add noreply@rcmusic.ca to your safe-sender list. 

Your Program Form is available in your MyRCM account. Please click on the link, complete the Program Form, and submit it online no later than 24 hours prior to your exam. 

Your Prepared Sight Reading will be available in your MyRCM account no later than 22 hours before your exam. If your exam is in less than 20 hours and you still have not received your Prepared Sight Reading, call us or use the live-chat function. 

Practical examination results, which include a copy of the examination form, are generally available 4 to 6 weeks after the examination has taken place. 

Review instructions for finding your mark in your MyRCM account here. 

If you have accessibility or accommodation requests, please complete this form.