Malta Centre Presentation Concert
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London College of Music Examinations
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What do I have to do in the exam?
Syllabuses and repertoire lists are available free of charge from LCM Examinations, or may be downloaded:
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2. What levels of exam are available?
LCM Examinations caters for candidates of all standards:
back to top
3. How do I enter for an LCM exam?
Entries should be made on a current entry form, accompanied by the correct fee, and forwarded to the representative of your chosen exam centre, to arrive on or before the closing date (as listed on the entry form).
back to top
4. Are there any age limits?
LCM Examinations are open to everyone, irrespective of age, apart from minimum ages for teaching diplomas.
back to top
5. Can I enter for any grade, without having taken previous grades?
Any grade may be entered without having taken previous grades.
Candidates entering for Practical Grade 8 (all musical subjects except Pop Vocals, Music Theatre, and Irish and Scottish Traditional Music) must hold Grade 5 or higher in Music Theory from LCM Examinations, ABRSM or Trinity Guildhall. Acceptable alternatives to Grade 5 Theory (including A, B or C pass in GCSE Music) are listed in paragraph 9 of the Examination Regulations.
Pre-requisites for diplomas are listed in relevant syllabuses on the Subjects pages.
back to top
6. Does LCM Examinations publish the material?
The LCM catalogues contain a comprehensive range of music and drama and communication titles, as well as past papers. For other recommended materials, full publication details are given in syllabuses.
back to top
7. How can I obtain LCM Publications?
Music publications are available from your local music shop. In cases of difficulty, orders can be placed directly with our distributor, Music Exchange. Past papers, plus drama and communication publications, are available direct from LCM Exams.
8. How far will I have to travel?
Probably not too far; LCM operates a large network of exam centres worldwide. A full list of public centres is available from LCM Examinations, and can also be found on this site. As LCM Examinations grow in popularity, we are expanding and are always interested in discussing establishing additional centres where there is sufficient demand.
back to top
9. When will the exam take place?
Most of our public centres operate three times each year. Entries are sent to the local representative, who requests dates to suit the majority of candidates.
10. How will I find out the date, time and venue of my exam?
An Attendance Notice containing these details will be issued to each candidate, via the correspondence address on the entry form, not later than two weeks before the date of the examination.
back to top
11. Can I arrange for an examination session at our school / college?
Private examination visits are available, provided there are sufficient entries to make the session viable (standard minimum: five hours of exams). Private centres may express date requests and, outside the public centre exam period, may stipulate specific dates.
back to top
12. Can I bring a page-turner to my exam?
Page-turners are not allowed, unless in exceptional circumstances, and with prior approval from the Chief Examiner, Philip Aldred. (A photocopy of a page of a work for ease of performance due to a difficult page turn is permitted.)
back to top
13. Do I need to use the edition of a piece specified in the syllabus?
Where a certain edition is listed in the syllabus, candidates may use any alternative published edition of the piece, provided that it is not a simplified version.
back to top
14. Can I use a photocopy of the music in the exam?
The use of photocopied music by candidates or accompanists, unless authorised by the publisher, is not permitted, with the exception of specific circumstances listed in paragraph 22 of the Examination Regulations.
back to top
15. Should I play the repeats?
Performance of repeats is at the candidate’s discretion. In general, shorter repeats should be included, but longer repeats (e.g. full exposition of a sonata form movement) should not be played. Da Capo and Dal Segno signs should be observed.
back to top
16. Can I use backing tracks in the exam, rather than live accompaniment?
See paragraph 23 of the Examination Regulations.
back to top
17. What does the candidate receive after the examination?
All candidates receive a written report by post within four weeks of the exam, containing a breakdown of marks and detailed comments. Certificates are despatched to successful candidates, normally within eight weeks of the exam.
back to top
18. Is there provision for candidates with special needs?
LCM Examinations is particularly sensitive to candidates with special needs and encourages them to take examinations. Please refer to the Equality of Opportunity, Reasonable Adjustments and Special Consideration policy, which is available from LCM Examinations, or may be downloaded:
back to top
19. Is there an appeals procedure?
Contact LCM Examinations for a copy of the Enquiries and Appeals policy, or download it here:
back to top
20. I have lost my certificate. Is it possible to get a replacement?
Contact LCM Examinations for a copy of the Replacement Certificates policy, or download it here:
back to top
21. Are LCM Examinations recognised qualifications?
Graded examinations in most subjects, and diplomas in music performance and teaching, are accredited in England, Wales and Northern Ireland by Ofqual (formerly QCA), DCELLS and CCEA. UCAS points are available for successful Level 3 candidates (i.e. Grades 6-8) in accredited subjects.
back to top
Frequently Asked Questions
- What do I have to do in the exam?
- What levels of exam are available?
- How do I enter for an LCM exam?
- Are there any age limits?
- Can I enter for any grade, without having taken previous grades?
- Does LCM Examinations publish the material?
- How can I obtain LCM Publications?
- How far will I have to travel?
- When will the exam take place?
- How will I find out the date, time and venue of my exam?
- Can I arrange for an examination session at our school / college?
- Can I bring a page-turner to my exam?
- Do I need to use the edition of a piece specified in the syllabus?
- Can I use a photocopy of the music in the exam?
- Should I play the repeats?
- Can I use backing tracks in the exam, rather than live accompaniment?
- What does the candidate receive after the examination?
- Is there provision for candidates with special needs?
- Is there an appeals procedure?
- I have lost my certificate. Is it possible to get a replacement?
- Are LCM Examinations recognised qualifications?
____________________________________
1. What do I have to do in the exam?
Syllabuses and repertoire lists are available free of charge from LCM Examinations, or may be downloaded:
back to top
____________________________________
2. What levels of exam are available?
LCM Examinations caters for candidates of all standards:
- Eight 'Leisure Play' levels - a performance-only alternative to graded exams, offered at grade-equivalent levels from Preliminary to Proficiency
- Diploma of the London College of Music (DipLCM)
- Associate of the London College of Music (ALCM)
- Licentiate of the London College of Music (LLCM)
- Fellow of the London College of Music (FLCM)
back to top
____________________________________
3. How do I enter for an LCM exam?
Entries should be made on a current entry form, accompanied by the correct fee, and forwarded to the representative of your chosen exam centre, to arrive on or before the closing date (as listed on the entry form).
back to top
____________________________________
4. Are there any age limits?
LCM Examinations are open to everyone, irrespective of age, apart from minimum ages for teaching diplomas.
back to top
____________________________________
5. Can I enter for any grade, without having taken previous grades?
Any grade may be entered without having taken previous grades.
Candidates entering for Practical Grade 8 (all musical subjects except Pop Vocals, Music Theatre, and Irish and Scottish Traditional Music) must hold Grade 5 or higher in Music Theory from LCM Examinations, ABRSM or Trinity Guildhall. Acceptable alternatives to Grade 5 Theory (including A, B or C pass in GCSE Music) are listed in paragraph 9 of the Examination Regulations.
Pre-requisites for diplomas are listed in relevant syllabuses on the Subjects pages.
back to top
____________________________________
6. Does LCM Examinations publish the material?
The LCM catalogues contain a comprehensive range of music and drama and communication titles, as well as past papers. For other recommended materials, full publication details are given in syllabuses.
back to top
____________________________________
7. How can I obtain LCM Publications?
Music publications are available from your local music shop. In cases of difficulty, orders can be placed directly with our distributor, Music Exchange. Past papers, plus drama and communication publications, are available direct from LCM Exams.
- Download LCM music publications catalogue (pdf, 168 kb)
- Music theory and diploma past papers
- Drama and communication publications
- Music Exchange website
____________________________________
8. How far will I have to travel?
Probably not too far; LCM operates a large network of exam centres worldwide. A full list of public centres is available from LCM Examinations, and can also be found on this site. As LCM Examinations grow in popularity, we are expanding and are always interested in discussing establishing additional centres where there is sufficient demand.
back to top
9. When will the exam take place?
Most of our public centres operate three times each year. Entries are sent to the local representative, who requests dates to suit the majority of candidates.
- Practical exams: dates for examination sessions are printed annually on entry forms.
- Theory exams are taken on the same date across the exam centre network. Dates are listed on entry forms.
____________________________________
10. How will I find out the date, time and venue of my exam?
An Attendance Notice containing these details will be issued to each candidate, via the correspondence address on the entry form, not later than two weeks before the date of the examination.
back to top
____________________________________
11. Can I arrange for an examination session at our school / college?
Private examination visits are available, provided there are sufficient entries to make the session viable (standard minimum: five hours of exams). Private centres may express date requests and, outside the public centre exam period, may stipulate specific dates.
back to top
____________________________________
12. Can I bring a page-turner to my exam?
Page-turners are not allowed, unless in exceptional circumstances, and with prior approval from the Chief Examiner, Philip Aldred. (A photocopy of a page of a work for ease of performance due to a difficult page turn is permitted.)
back to top
____________________________________
13. Do I need to use the edition of a piece specified in the syllabus?
Where a certain edition is listed in the syllabus, candidates may use any alternative published edition of the piece, provided that it is not a simplified version.
back to top
____________________________________
14. Can I use a photocopy of the music in the exam?
The use of photocopied music by candidates or accompanists, unless authorised by the publisher, is not permitted, with the exception of specific circumstances listed in paragraph 22 of the Examination Regulations.
back to top
____________________________________
15. Should I play the repeats?
Performance of repeats is at the candidate’s discretion. In general, shorter repeats should be included, but longer repeats (e.g. full exposition of a sonata form movement) should not be played. Da Capo and Dal Segno signs should be observed.
back to top
____________________________________
16. Can I use backing tracks in the exam, rather than live accompaniment?
See paragraph 23 of the Examination Regulations.
back to top
____________________________________
17. What does the candidate receive after the examination?
All candidates receive a written report by post within four weeks of the exam, containing a breakdown of marks and detailed comments. Certificates are despatched to successful candidates, normally within eight weeks of the exam.
back to top
____________________________________
18. Is there provision for candidates with special needs?
LCM Examinations is particularly sensitive to candidates with special needs and encourages them to take examinations. Please refer to the Equality of Opportunity, Reasonable Adjustments and Special Consideration policy, which is available from LCM Examinations, or may be downloaded:
back to top
____________________________________
19. Is there an appeals procedure?
Contact LCM Examinations for a copy of the Enquiries and Appeals policy, or download it here:
back to top
____________________________________
20. I have lost my certificate. Is it possible to get a replacement?
Contact LCM Examinations for a copy of the Replacement Certificates policy, or download it here:
back to top
____________________________________
21. Are LCM Examinations recognised qualifications?
Graded examinations in most subjects, and diplomas in music performance and teaching, are accredited in England, Wales and Northern Ireland by Ofqual (formerly QCA), DCELLS and CCEA. UCAS points are available for successful Level 3 candidates (i.e. Grades 6-8) in accredited subjects.
back to top
____________________________________
Page last updated: Wednesday 27 May 2009