VCM Exams

Victoria Conservatory of Music exams may be taken by VCM students in good standing as well as by external students. VCM exams are based on the VCM Syllabus of each department.

NOTE: Exams are optional in most courses.

Exam Forms for Download:
Assessment Application 2012
Examination/Assessment Piece List
2012 Examination Application (External Students*)
Irregular Piece List 2012
2012 Practical Examination Application (VCM Student*)
Theory Examination Application 2012

Exams take place in May (theory exams) and June (instrument and voice exams). Exam fees are not included in course fees. Students wishing to take exams must apply and pay the exam fees by April 1. Late applicants will be charged a $10 late fee, and no applications will be received after April 8.

Exam application forms can also be picked up at the VCM office about a month before the application deadline.
Applications must be completed in full (including obtaining the instructor’s signature), and returned to the VCM office with full payment by April 1.

Exam schedules will be available in mid-May for the May-June session. Other Theory exam times will be available in mid-January and mid-July. Students are responsible for confirming their exam time with their instructor(s). Exam results are mailed in mid-July.

Assessments are also available, at the instructor’s discretion, as an alternate to examinations. No mark is assigned; the candidate instead receives the examiner’s adjudication. Assessments are not available for Composition and Theory courses.

Non-VCM Exams

Students may prepare for exams of the Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto), which are regularly conducted in Victoria. Students are responsible for advising the instructor at the beginning of the year of their intent to take RCM exams to ensure proper preparation. It is the student’s responsibility to apply to RCM Examinations by the appropriate deadlines. It may also be possible for students to prepare for exams from other institutions. Please discuss well in advance with the instructor.

Auditing

For many courses, exams are optional. For courses that include exams, tests, performances, or assignments, auditing may be an option. Those who wish to do so can under the following conditions:

  • They must have the instructor’s written permission to audit the course
  • They must pay the full tuition fees and resource fees for the course (VCM refund policies apply)
  • They cannot use the audit course as a prerequisite for other courses or as a course credit; and,
  • They will be expected to attend class regularly, however no assignments are expected, no exams are written, and no grades are assigned.

Certificates

Certificates at the VCM are available in the following:

Associate of the Victoria Conservatory of Music (AVCM)
Students may apply to become an Associate of the Victoria Conservatory of Music (AVCM) and receive a certificate with one of the following designations: AVCM (instrument) Teaching; AVCM (instrument) Performance; or AVCM Collaborative Piano. Certificates are presented at Awards Day.

To be eligible students must successfully complete:

  • VCM Pedagogy and Literature Course including all prerequisites and co-requisites for the discipline (AVCM in Teaching)
  • Grade 11 Performance examination in instrument or voice, including all prerequisites and co-requisites for the discipline (AVCM in Performance)

The AVCM Teaching Certificate is recognized by the Provincial Council of the British Columbia Registered Music Teachers Association.

Exam and Assessment Fees

VCM Student Card holders will receive a $25 discount per exam (assessment discounts vary). Discounted exam fees are as follows:

Grade Exam Fee Assessment Fee

  • Preliminary $65 $33
  • Grade 1 $70 $35
  • Grade 2 $75 $38
  • Grade 3 $80 $40
  • Grade 4 $85 $43
  • Grade 5 $90 $45
  • Grade 6 $95 $48
  • Grade 7 $100 $50
  • Grade 8 $105 $53
  • Grade 9 $115 $58
  • Grade 10 $135 $68
  • Grade 11* $150 $100
  • Grade 11**

AVCM Recital for VCM students only. Apply by Nov. 15.                            $300
Grade 12 Artist Certificate for VCM students only. Apply by Nov. 15.         $500

*Grade 11 exam, Grade 11 Theory complete, and Core Pedagogy/Literature courses required for ACM Teacher Certificate.

**Grade 11 Recital and Grade 11 Theory are required for AVCM Performer Certificate.

Refunds for Cancelled Exams or Assessments

Refunds for cancelled exams or assessments may be issued at the discretion of the Registrar of Community Programs up to May 1. A cancellation charge of $15 will be deducted from the refund amount. No refunds will be issued after May 1.