RCM vs. ABRSM: What Parents Should Know Before Choosing

When comparing RCM and ABRSM, consider your child’s current playing, learning goals, and preferred exam format. For piano and violin students, the differences affect repertoire, technical preparation, theory requirements and how the exam is taken.

RCM practical exams and ABRSM Practical Grades combine prepared music with technical, reading and listening tests. ABRSM Performance Grades focus on a recorded programme. Choose a route that suits your child's readiness, the teacher's experience and the arrangements your family can manage.

RCM vs ABRSM: What the Exams Assess

RCM stands for The Royal Conservatory of Music; ABRSM is the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.

For either instrument, a polished piece is one part of readiness for a practical exam. Your child's practice plan also needs room for technical work, reading unfamiliar music and listening tasks. For violin, include any required orchestral excerpts and time to rehearse with accompaniment.

In an ABRSM Performance Grade, the examiner considers both the individual pieces and the performance as a whole. This route may suit a student who wants to focus their exam preparation on delivering a complete programme in one continuous performance. Keep reading, listening, and technical work in the lesson plan even when they are not separate exam tests.

Exam formats also affect preparation. RCM practical exams can be taken in person or live online with an examiner via Zoom. ABRSM Practical Grades are taken in person, while Performance Grades are assessed through a submitted recording made in one continuous take.

How Do Piano and Violin Levels Compare?

Both boards allow children to enter at a suitable graded level without taking every earlier practical exam. ABRSM's entry conditions for Grades 6–8 still apply.

The same level or grade number does not mean the same repertoire, technical requirements, or assessment criteria. For either instrument, a teacher can compare your child's current pieces, technical work, reading, and listening with the target syllabus. These skills may be at different stages, so consider them together when choosing a level.

Piano Levels

The RCM piano levels begin with Preparatory A and Preparatory B, followed by Levels 1–10. RCM groups Preparatory through Level 4 as elementary, Levels 5–8 as intermediate, and Levels 9–10 as advanced. Diploma study, including ARCT, follows the numbered levels.

ABRSM piano has Initial Grade followed by Grades 1–8. Its diploma route continues beyond Grade 8 through ARSM, LRSM and FRSM.

Violin Levels

RCM violin begins with one Preparatory level, then Levels 1–10, followed by diploma study including ARCT and LRCM. Its elementary, intermediate and advanced groupings use the same level ranges described above. ABRSM violin offers Initial Grade and Grades 1–8 in both Practical and Performance Grades, with ARSM, LRSM and FRSM diploma options beyond them.

The workload matters as much as the sequence. RCM violin includes études from Preparatory and adds orchestral excerpts at Levels 7–10. ABRSM violin uses the three-piece Practical or four-piece Performance format shown above. When considering a switch, compare the prescribed scales and bowings, studies, excerpts, and supporting tests with what your child has studied.

When Does Theory Become Required?

For both piano and violin, RCM requires theory for a comprehensive certificate at Levels 5–10. ABRSM requires a qualifying theory or alternative result before entry to Grades 6–8. These rules affect when your child needs to complete theory study.

For RCM, the main planning points are:

• Preparatory through Level 4: no separate theory examination is required for the practical certificate.
• Levels 5–8: the comprehensive certificate requires the corresponding Theory level as well as the practical exam.
• Levels 9–10: the certificate requirements expand to include harmony and music history, with specified subject combinations.

The Royal Conservatory's Canadian certificate requirements show the complete combinations. Theory co-requisites may be completed before or within five years after the original practical examination. A student can therefore take the practical exam first, but passing it alone does not complete a Level 5–10 comprehensive certificate.

For both ABRSM Practical and Performance Grades 6–8, the student needs a qualifying pass before entry. The listed ABRSM qualifications are Grade 5 or higher Music Theory, Grade 5 or higher Practical Musicianship, or Grade 5 in a solo Jazz Practical subject. ABRSM also specifies accepted alternatives. Its Performance Grades qualification specification sets out the prerequisites on page 6.

Planning an Exam in Canada

Choose an exam date that leaves time to prepare the required pieces and any supporting tests, and to meet the entry requirements. Use the syllabus valid for that date.

RCM: Follow the official registration guide to create or access an account and select Register for Exams. In-person exams use published sessions; remote practical registration is ongoing. Before registering, check the official Canadian RCM schedule for current exam dates and registration deadlines.

ABRSM: Start with ABRSM's Canada booking guide for the face-to-face or digital route and its dates-and-fees information. For Performance Grades, the Canadian digital-exam instructions allow booking at any time. Submit the video when you book or within the following 28 days; your account shows the exact deadline.

Piano preparation: For RCM remote exams, a weighted-touch keyboard with 76 or 88 keys is permitted through Level 8; Levels 9–10 require a tuned acoustic piano. Check the full remote instrument and technology conditions before choosing your exam location.

Violin preparation: Identify which pieces need accompaniment and arrange it for the chosen route:

• RCM: For repertoire requiring piano accompaniment, Preparatory–Level 4 permits your own pianist or a recording with your own playback device. At Levels 5–10, you must provide your own pianist; for a remote exam, the pianist must be on site.
• ABRSM Practical Grades: Required accompaniment must be live, using piano or a string option listed in the syllabus. Provide your own accompanist; recordings aren't allowed.
• ABRSM Performance Grades: Required accompaniment may be live or recorded, following the syllabus rules for the selected pieces.

Arrange rehearsal time before exam or recording day so your child can practise entries, tempo and endings with the accompaniment. For more help planning practice, see our RCM violin preparation guide.

Choosing a Path Your Child Can Grow With

Choose the route that fits the work your child is ready to do and the preparation your family can support:

• Your child is progressing well in one system. Staying with it is a sensible starting point if the teacher, repertoire and exam format still suit their goals. If you're considering a switch, compare current pieces and exam reports with the new syllabus for their instrument. Allow time for any new technical work, supporting tests, violin études or orchestral excerpts before setting an exam date.
• A higher-grade exam is next. For ABRSM Grades 6–8, check whether your child's existing theory or alternative qualification meets the entry rule before booking. If it doesn't, complete a qualifying exam first. For RCM Levels 5–10, plan the outstanding theory subjects around when you want the comprehensive certificate, even if the practical exam comes first.
• Your family prefers recording at home. ABRSM Performance Grades can suit a pianist or violinist ready to play all four pieces in one take. Rehearse the full programme, test the camera and sound, and include the required violin accompaniment in that setup. Set aside quiet recording time before the submission deadline. If your child still needs frequent stops and restarts, allow more preparation time before booking. You can also record the programme before booking, provided it meets the applicable syllabus and recording requirements.

Families in Richmond considering the RCM pathway can explore C&K Music Studio's piano and violin lessons alongside our RCM music theory courses. Bring your child's current pieces and exam history when you enquire to discuss suitable lessons and theory study.