RCM Preparatory Level Piano: A Parent’s Complete Guide
Table of Contents
Before your child takes their first formal RCM examination, there’s a stage many parents don’t know about — the Preparatory levels. These are the gateway to the Royal Conservatory of Music’s graded examination system, and they exist for a reason that matters more than most parents realize.
The RCM Preparatory levels (Preparatory A and Preparatory B) are designed for young or beginning piano students who aren’t yet ready for Level 1 but would benefit from the structure, motivation, and goal-setting that a formal assessment provides. Think of them as the on-ramp to the RCM highway — a chance for your child to experience the examination process in a low-pressure, confidence-building way before the stakes increase at Level 1 and beyond.
This guide explains what the Preparatory levels involve, who they’re for, and how they fit into your child’s broader musical development.
What Are the RCM Preparatory Levels?
The Royal Conservatory of Music organizes its piano curriculum into a progressive series of levels. Before the numbered levels (1 through 10 and ARCT), there are two Preparatory levels: Preparatory A and Preparatory B. These are optional — no student is required to complete them before moving to Level 1 — but they serve a valuable purpose for many young pianists.
Preparatory A is the earliest formal assessment point. It’s designed for students who have been taking piano lessons for roughly six months to a year and have developed basic reading skills, simple hand coordination, and the ability to play short pieces with both hands.
Preparatory B follows Preparatory A and represents a step closer to Level 1 readiness. Students at this stage play slightly longer and more complex pieces, demonstrate more developed technique, and show greater independence between the right and left hands.
Both levels are assessed through a format similar to the higher-level examinations, but with age-appropriate expectations and a deliberately supportive evaluation style. The goal is to introduce young students to the concept of performing prepared music for an evaluator while building positive associations with the assessment process.
Who Should Consider the Preparatory Levels?
Not every piano student needs to complete the Preparatory levels. Some students progress quickly enough that their teacher recommends moving directly to Level 1 preparation. Others benefit significantly from the stepping-stone approach that Preparatory A and B provide.
The Preparatory levels are particularly well-suited for young beginners — children aged five to seven who have started piano but aren’t yet developmentally ready for the demands of Level 1. At this age, the attention span, hand size, and reading ability required for Level 1 repertoire may not be fully developed, but the child can still benefit from having a concrete goal to work toward.
They’re also valuable for children who are naturally anxious about evaluation. The Preparatory levels introduce the examination experience gradually. A child who sits a Preparatory A exam and receives encouraging feedback from an examiner enters Level 1 preparation with confidence rather than fear. That psychological foundation is worth more than any technical advantage.
At Muzart Music and Art School in Etobicoke, our piano teachers assess each student individually and recommend whether the Preparatory levels would benefit their development or whether they’re ready to prepare for Level 1 directly. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer — it depends on the child.
What Does Preparatory A Require?
Preparatory A is designed to be achievable and encouraging for young beginners. The requirements are modest but meaningful.
Repertoire
Students prepare two or three short pieces from the RCM-approved repertoire list. These are very simple works — often just eight to sixteen measures long — that use basic note values, simple hand positions, and melodies that stay within a narrow range. The emphasis is on playing the correct notes and rhythms while maintaining a steady beat.
Your child’s teacher will select pieces that match the student’s current ability level and musical interests. At this stage, the goal isn’t technical virtuosity — it’s demonstrating that the student can learn, memorize (or read accurately), and perform a piece from start to finish with reasonable musical control.
Technical Requirements
The technical component at Preparatory A includes very basic scale patterns and simple five-finger exercises. These are short, straightforward, and designed to show that the student has begun developing finger independence and basic keyboard geography.
Unlike the higher levels, where technical requirements become increasingly demanding, the Preparatory A technical component is genuinely introductory. A student who has been practising their teacher’s assigned exercises regularly should find this section comfortable.
Ear Training and Sight Reading
Even at the Preparatory level, students are introduced to ear training and sight reading in simplified forms. Ear training might involve clapping back a short rhythm the examiner plays, or identifying whether a melody goes up or down. Sight reading involves playing a very short, simple passage the student hasn’t seen before.
These components may seem minor, but they begin developing skills that become increasingly important at higher levels. Students who are introduced to ear training and sight reading early develop stronger musical instincts over time.
What Does Preparatory B Require?
Preparatory B builds on everything established in Preparatory A, with slightly increased expectations across all areas.
Repertoire
Students prepare pieces that are somewhat longer and more complex than those at Preparatory A. The music may include wider hand positions, more varied rhythms, and basic dynamic markings (playing loud and soft). Two hands working together becomes more prominent, though the coordination demands remain gentle.
Technical Requirements
Scales and exercises at Preparatory B cover more keys and may include both hands playing together in simple patterns. The technical work at this level builds the coordination and finger strength that Level 1 will demand more rigorously.
Ear Training and Sight Reading
These components expand slightly from Preparatory A. Rhythmic clap-back patterns become a bit longer, melodic identification becomes slightly more nuanced, and sight reading passages introduce a few more musical elements. The progression is gradual and designed to stretch the student gently without overwhelming them.
How Long Does It Take to Prepare for Each Level?
For students taking consistent weekly lessons and practising regularly at home, Preparatory A typically requires three to four months of focused preparation once the teacher determines the student is ready. Preparatory B usually requires a similar timeframe.
However, it’s important to understand that “preparation time” doesn’t mean the student starts from zero at that point. Much of the skill development happens naturally throughout regular lessons in the months preceding formal examination preparation. By the time a teacher announces that a student is ready to start working on Preparatory A material, the student has already been building the necessary skills through their regular lesson content.
Daily practice of ten to fifteen minutes is usually sufficient for students at the Preparatory levels. Short, focused sessions are more effective than longer ones for young children, and your teacher will provide clear guidance on what to practise each week.
Monthly piano lessons at Muzart are $155, including weekly private instruction and all learning materials. Our RCM examination preparation is integrated naturally into the lesson program, so there’s no additional cost for exam-focused instruction.
The Examination Experience at the Preparatory Level
For many children, a Preparatory level exam is their first experience performing for someone outside their teacher and family. Understanding what happens can help both parent and child feel prepared.
Before the Examination
Your child’s teacher will conduct practice run-throughs in the weeks leading up to the exam. These simulate the examination environment — the student plays their repertoire, performs their technical requirements, and completes ear training and sight reading exercises as if they were in front of an examiner. This rehearsal reduces anxiety and helps the student know exactly what to expect.
During the Examination
The student enters the examination room (parents wait outside) and plays for a single examiner. At the Preparatory levels, examiners are especially warm and encouraging. They understand they’re working with young children who may be experiencing formal evaluation for the first time. The atmosphere is supportive, not intimidating.
The entire examination takes approximately fifteen to twenty minutes. The student performs their pieces, completes the technical and ear training components, and then they’re done. Most children leave feeling proud and accomplished.
After the Examination
Results arrive by mail several weeks later, including written comments from the examiner on each section. For Preparatory level students, these comments tend to be encouraging and constructive. Even if there are areas to improve, the feedback is framed positively and gives both the teacher and parents clear direction for continued development.
Why the Preparatory Levels Matter for Long-Term Success
Some parents view the Preparatory levels as unnecessary — why not just wait until the child is ready for Level 1? It’s a fair question, and as mentioned, some students do skip straight to Level 1 without any issues. But for many young pianists, the Preparatory levels provide benefits that pay dividends throughout their entire RCM journey.
The biggest benefit is psychological. A child who has experienced an examination — walked into the room, performed for an evaluator, received feedback, and earned a result — approaches Level 1 knowing what to expect. The format isn’t frightening because it’s familiar. The stakes feel manageable because they’ve been through it before. This comfort with the evaluation process often translates into better performance and higher scores at Level 1 and beyond.
There’s also the motivational benefit of tangible milestones. Young children respond powerfully to concrete achievements. Receiving a Preparatory A certificate, seeing the examiner’s written praise, and hearing their teacher acknowledge their accomplishment creates a cycle of effort and reward that sustains motivation through the more demanding levels ahead.
Finally, the Preparatory levels give teachers and parents an early, objective assessment of the student’s progress. The examiner’s comments can reveal strengths and areas for improvement that might not be apparent in the lesson room. This external perspective helps teachers fine-tune their instruction and helps parents understand where their child stands in their musical development.
How the Preparatory Levels Connect to the Broader RCM Pathway
The RCM system is designed as a progressive journey. Each level builds on the one before, and the skills developed at the Preparatory stages form the bedrock of everything that follows.
At Preparatory A and B, students establish basic reading fluency, simple hand coordination, elementary ear training, and comfort with performance evaluation. At Level 1, these foundations deepen significantly. By Level 5, students are handling complex repertoire, advanced scales, and sophisticated musicality. By Level 8 — often considered the intermediate milestone — students are performing at a level that can earn Ontario secondary school credits.
The point is that every level matters, and the earliest levels matter most in terms of establishing habits. A student who develops solid practice habits, good hand technique, and a positive relationship with musical evaluation at the Preparatory level carries those advantages through every subsequent stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is My Child Too Young for the RCM Preparatory Level?
Most children can attempt Preparatory A after six months to a year of consistent piano lessons, typically around ages five to seven. However, readiness depends more on the individual child’s development than on age. Your piano teacher at Muzart will assess whether your child is prepared and will recommend the right timing. A trial piano lesson in Etobicokeis just $35 if you’d like to explore the program.
Can My Child Skip the Preparatory Levels and Go Straight to Level 1?
Yes. The Preparatory levels are optional, and students who progress quickly or start lessons at an older age often move directly to Level 1 preparation. Your teacher will recommend the best path based on your child’s skill level and readiness for formal evaluation. Neither path is inherently better — it depends on the individual student.
How Much Does an RCM Preparatory Examination Cost?
Examination fees are set by the Royal Conservatory and vary by level. Preparatory level fees are among the lowest in the system. Check the RCM website for current pricing. The primary ongoing investment is in consistent weekly lessons — at Muzart, music lessons are $155 per month, covering all instruction and materials.
What If My Child Doesn’t Do Well on the Preparatory Exam?
At the Preparatory levels, the assessment is designed to be encouraging. Most well-prepared students receive positive results. If the marks are lower than expected, the examiner’s comments provide specific, constructive feedback that your teacher can use to adjust the student’s learning plan. A less-than-perfect result at the Preparatory level is not a setback — it’s information that helps guide better preparation for the levels ahead.
Do Preparatory Level Results Appear on Any Official Transcript?
Yes. All completed RCM examinations, including the Preparatory levels, are recorded on the student’s official RCM transcript. While Preparatory results don’t carry the academic credit implications of higher levels, they document the beginning of the student’s formal musical journey and are a source of pride for young musicians and their families.
Starting the Journey Right
The RCM Preparatory levels aren’t just about passing a test — they’re about building the habits, confidence, and musical foundation that carry a young pianist through years of growth. When a child is well prepared and positively supported, these early assessments become celebrations of progress that motivate everything that comes next.
At Muzart Music and Art School in Etobicoke near Cloverdale Mall, our piano instructors guide students through every stage of the RCM pathway, from Preparatory A through the most advanced levels. Whether your child is just beginning or already working toward their first examination, every lesson builds the skills and confidence they need.
Book a trial piano lesson for $35 or request more information about our programs to take the first step.