ABRSM Performance Grade Exam

RCM Remote Practical Exam

Headquarter Location

<aside> <img src="/icons/chess-queen_red.svg" alt="/icons/chess-queen_red.svg" width="40px" /> ABRSM London, United Kingdom

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<aside> <img src="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/245849f7-ee5c-4d7d-a529-aab299a421dc/1a747451-d2f2-4826-a5f6-b75e4f0bfa6b/card-default-logo.png" alt="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/245849f7-ee5c-4d7d-a529-aab299a421dc/1a747451-d2f2-4826-a5f6-b75e4f0bfa6b/card-default-logo.png" width="40px" /> RCM Toronto, Canada

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Curriculum & Repertoire

<aside> <img src="/icons/chess-queen_red.svg" alt="/icons/chess-queen_red.svg" width="40px" /> ABRSM

Levels available
- Initial, Grade 1 ~ 8, ARSM
  - ARSM is equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance.
Syllabus updated every 2 years.
- 39 pieces available per grade, divided equally between lists A, B, and C.
- The official repertoire book from ABRSM offers nine pieces from their syllabus, three from each of Lists A, B, and C.
Each level may be slightly more challenging than those of the RCM. </aside>

Levels available
- Prep A and B, Levels 1 ~ 10, ARCT, Licentiate
  - ARCT is equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance.
  - Licentiate is equivalent to a Master’s degree in Piano Performance.
Syllabus updated every 7 years.
- Over 60 pieces available per grade, with around 30 in each of the lists A, B, and C.
- The official repertoire book from RCM offers more than 30 pieces from their syllabus. </aside>

Requirements

<aside> <img src="/icons/chess-queen_red.svg" alt="/icons/chess-queen_red.svg" width="40px" /> ABRSM

A video recording of a performance of four pieces presented as a continuous program without the examiner in the room.

Exam Requirements
Prerequisite for Performance Grade 6 and above:
Memorization is not required. Whether the pieces were played from memory will not affect the score. </aside>

A live audition via a Zoom call with the examiner.
Exam Requirements

RCM Exam Requirements
Corequisite Exams
Memorization is required for a perfect score. </aside>

How they’re graded

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There are 150 marks available in total. You need:

100 marks for a Pass
120 marks for a Merit
130 marks for a Distinction

Each piece or song is marked out of 30, and there are 30 additional marks available for the performance as a whole.

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There are 100 marks available in total.

Repertoire: 56 total
Technical Requirements: 24 total
Ear test: 10 total
Sight reading: 10 total

Passing score: 60

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Testing Dates and Location

<aside> <img src="/icons/chess-queen_red.svg" alt="/icons/chess-queen_red.svg" width="40px" /> ABRSM

You can choose when and where to record your exam performance. The location can be anywhere with appropriate space and instruments available.

Once you’ve booked an exam, you have 28 days to submit the exam video. You will be marked absent if you fail to do so within the given time window.

Absent candidates may be eligible for a partial refund under certain circumstances. For details, see ABRSM’s Withdrawals, Non-attendance, and Fee Refund Policy.

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