What are LCM exams, and what can they give your child?

Progress in music is not easy to measure. You can hear that your child plays better than a year ago, but it is hard to know what that means, or where they stand by an international yardstick. This is exactly where London College of Music exams come in. Here is how they work, and what working towards one can give your child.

LCM in brief

London College of Music Examinations (LCME) is a British exam board that has been running music exams since 1887. It is owned by the University of West London, which also awards its certificates. Exams are held in the UK and in many other countries around the world.

Its graded exams are regulated by Ofqual, the official regulator of qualifications and examinations in England, which means the certificates are awarded against clear standards and are widely recognised.

A step-by-step journey

Think of the LCM system as a staircase that grows with your child:

• Step 1 and Step 2: introductory exams for young children and beginners, a gentle first taste of the exam experience.
• Grades 1–3: the foundations: short pieces, reading and sound technique.
• Grades 4–5: intermediate level, with longer pieces and developing musical expression.
• Grades 6–8: advanced level, with a substantial repertoire and a mature interpretation. In the UK these grades also carry UCAS points for university applications.

After Grade 8 come the performance and teaching diplomas. Because each step builds on the last, students can always see where they are and what the next goal looks like.

What does an exam involve?

A graded exam is about more than playing pieces. The student performs works chosen from the exam lists, and this section carries the most marks. Alongside it come technical work such as scales and arpeggios, sight-reading (playing a piece seen for the first time), aural tests and a short discussion about the pieces performed. This breadth encourages children to play with understanding rather than purely from memory.

What do the results mean?

Exams are marked out of 100. A mark of 65–74 is a Pass, 75–84 a Merit, and 85 or above a Distinction. A Distinction calls for a strong, well-rounded performance across every section of the exam.

In LCM’s winter 2023 digital exam session, Soleil Sanat Akademi students were awarded Distinction and Merit in piano exams. We are delighted with these results, but their real value lies in the months of steady practice behind them.

The right time for each child

When to take an exam depends on the student’s readiness, not the calendar. Moving on from secure foundations, rather than rushing through a level, makes exam day more enjoyable and the next steps easier. Some students take an exam every year; others need longer between levels. Both are right, as long as the pace suits the child.

In person or digital

LCM exams can be taken in person at an exam centre or digitally, for example by sending in a video recording of the programme. Because a digital exam lets a child play in familiar surroundings, it can take some of the pressure off a first exam. We decide together which route suits your child, bearing in mind their temperament and the exam calendar.

How does preparation work?

Good exam preparation is not a cram in the final weeks but a calm process spread over months. At Soleil we first agree on the right level, then choose pieces from the exam lists that suit the student’s character. While the pieces mature, technical work, sight-reading and aural tests move forward through short exercises in every lesson. As the exam approaches, we hold run-throughs that recreate real exam conditions: start to finish, without stopping, in front of a listener.

As the exams are conducted in English, we also go over the basic musical terms that may come up in the discussion. That way, nothing in the exam room is new to your child.

Results and the report

After the exam comes not just a result, but a report with the marks for each section and the examiner’s comments. Because it shows strengths and areas to develop through an independent pair of eyes, it is invaluable for setting the next goal. We read it through with your child in lessons and build the plan for the coming term around it.

What does an exam goal give a child?

• Direction and motivation: a clear goal on a set date gives weekly practice its purpose.
• Balanced development: technique, sight-reading and aural skills all get attention, so children grow into all-round musicians.
• Confidence: walking into an exam room well prepared, and seeing hard work rewarded, is an experience that reaches far beyond music.
• A tangible record: an internationally recognised certificate makes a child’s effort visible.

A means, not an end

One last, important point: not every student needs to take exams. For some children an exam is a wonderful source of motivation; for others, playing purely for pleasure is the better path. At Soleil we always set exam goals according to each child’s readiness and wishes. What we are aiming for is not a mark sheet, but a child who keeps on loving music.

If you have any questions about LCM preparation, we are always happy to talk them through.