Recorded exams
LCME Digital exams - your performance, your way
Embrace the freedom to showcase your talents on your own terms with LCME's Recorded exams. This format lets you capture your best performance when inspiration strikes, allowing your unique talent to shine.
Perform when you're ready
With LCME Recorded exams, the stage is yours 24/7, 365 days a year. Choose when you feel most confident, prepared and inspired to record your exam performance.
Your space, your comfort zone
Transform any space into your personal auditorium or stage. Whether it's your living room, a local studio, or your favourite practice spot, you decide where you'll feel most at ease to deliver your best performance.
Important update on recording formats
From 1 March 2025, please note that all Digital Recorded exams must be submitted as a single continuous performance, without cuts or edits. This includes all pieces or songs, discussions, and any technical work. For more information click here.
How it works
- Book your exam: You can book your exam via our dedicated digital exam platform.
- Prepare: Use our comprehensive guidelines to set up your recording space and equipment.
- Perform: Record your exam pieces when you're feeling your best.
- Submit: Upload your recordings securely to our platform.
- Excel: Receive detailed feedback and results from our expert examiners.
The LCME advantage
- Global accessibility: Take your exam from anywhere in the world.
- Flexibility: Record multiple takes to ensure you submit your best performance.
- Reduced pressure: Perform without the anxiety of a live exam setting.
Maintaining excellence
Rest assured, our Recorded exams uphold the same rigorous standards that have defined LCME for over 130 years. Your performance will be evaluated by our expert examiners, ensuring your qualification carries the weight and recognition as an in-person exam.
Empowering your journey
Whether you're taking your first steps in performance or advancing your professional career, LCME Recorded exams provide the framework to unlock your potential and open doors to exciting opportunities in the creative industries, higher education and beyond.
Ready to take centre stage on your own terms? Start your Recorded Exam journey today and let your talent shine through!
Recorded exams are offered in the following subjects & levels:
Exam Components
Pre-grade 1
- Technical Work
- Performance
Grades 1-8
- Performance
- Technical Work/ Accompaniment/ Additional Piece
- Discussion
Exam Content
Recorded Graded Exam Grades 1-8:
- Technical Work
- Performance (3 pieces)
- Discussion
Recorded Recital Grade:
- Performance (4 pieces)
- Additional piece / Discussion
Recorded Leisure Play:
- Performance (4 pieces)
Exam Content
Recorded Exam Pre Grade 1:
- Technical Work
- Performance
Recorded Graded Exam Grades 1-8:
- Technical Work
- Performance
- Discussion
Recorded Recital Grade:
- Performance (4 pieces)
- Additional piece / Discussion
Recorded Leisure Play:
- Performance (4 pieces)
Exam Content
Recorded Diploma exams are now available in most subjects.
Please note digital assessments in Music Theatre, Electric Guitar, Jazz Subjects and Teaching Diplomas are offered as live online exams only.
Performance Diplomas (Concert option only) DipLCM, ALCM, LLCM
Concert:
- Performance (with programme notes)
Downloads
Exam Content
Stages 1-3 (Individual only)
- Introduction
- Performance
Pre-preparatory (Piano & Recorder)
- Exercises
- Performance
Exam Content
Recorded Graded Exam Step & Grades 1-5:
- Technical Work
- Rhythm Playing
- Lead Playing
- Spoken Tests
Recorded Graded Exam Grades 6-8:
- Technical Work
- Rhythm Playing
- Lead Playing
- Spoken Tests
- Specialism
Exam Content
Recorded Step Exams 1&2:
- Technical Work
- Performance
Recorded Graded Exam Grades 1-8:
- Technical Work
- Performance
- Prepared Creative Response
- Musical Awareness
Recorded Recital Grades 1-8:
- Performance
- Performance/ Creative Response or Musical Awareness
Recorded Leisure Play:
- Performance (4 pieces)
Exam Content
Recorded Exam Pre Grade 1:
- Exercises
- Performance
Recorded Graded Exam Grades 1-8:
- Technical Work
- Performance (3 pieces)
- Discussion
Recorded Recital Grade:
- Performance (4 pieces)
- Additional piece / Discussion
Recorded Leisure Play:
- Performance (4 pieces)
Exam Content
Step 1 & 2:
- Performance
- Discussion
Recital Grades 1-8:
- Performance
- Discussion
Concert Grades 1-8:
- Performance
- Reflection
Cabaret Grades 1-8:
- Performance only
Duet Grades 1-8:
- Performance
- Reflection
Exam Content
Step
- Performance
- Discussion
Grades 1-8:
- Vocal Exercises
- Performance
- Performance Delivery
- Discussion
Exam Content
Steps & Grades 1-8:
- Performance
- Discussion
Please note: with the release of the 2023 Musical Theatre syllabus, discussion topics have been brought in line with the face-to-face examinations. Candidates preparing the previous questions may continue to do so if they wish.
Exam Content
Steps
- Technical Work
- Performance (4 pieces)
Recorded Graded Exam Grades 1-8:
- Technical Work
- Performance (3 pieces)
- Discussion
Recorded Recital Grade:
- Performance (4 pieces)
- Additional piece / Discussion
Recorded Leisure Play:
- Performance (4 pieces)
Exam Content
Pre-preparatory
- Exercises
- Performance (4 pieces)
Steps 1 & 2
- Scales and Exercises
- Performance (4 pieces)
Recorded Graded Exam Grades 1-8:
- Technical Work
- Performance (3 pieces)
- Discussion
Recorded Recital Grade:
- Performance (4 pieces)
- Additional piece / Discussion
Recorded Leisure Play:
- Performance (4 pieces)
Exam Content
Recorded Exam Steps:
- Performance
Recorded Graded Exam Grades 6-8:
- Performance
- Improvisation
- Additional Performance OR Improvisation
Exam Content
Pre-grade 1 (Popular Music Vocals only)
- Technical Work
- Performance
Recorded Graded Exam Grades 1-8:
- Technical Work
- Performance
- Discussion
Recorded Recital Grade:
- Performance (4 pieces)
- Additional piece / Discussion
Recorded Leisure Play:
- Performance
Exam Content
Recorded Graded Exam Grades 1-8:
- Technical Work
- Performance (3 pieces)
- Discussion
Recorded Recital Grade:
- Performance (4 pieces)
- Additional piece / Discussion
Recorded Leisure Play:
- Performance (4 pieces)
Downloads
Exam Content
Pre-grade 1
- Performance (4 tunes)
Recorded Graded exams (1-8)
- Performance (5 pieces or sets)
Recorded Recital Grades
- Performance (5 pieces or sets)
Recorded Leisure Play
- Performance (4 pieces or sets)
Exam Content
Recorded Exam Pre Grade 1:
- Exercises
- Performance
Recorded Graded Exam Grades 1-8:
- Technical Work
- Performance (3 pieces)
- Discussion
Recorded Recital Grade:
- Performance (4 pieces)
- Additional piece / Discussion
Recorded Leisure Play:
- Performance (4 pieces)
Exam Content
Pre-grade 1:
- Rhythm Study
- Performance
- Free Choice Specialism
- Prepared Accompaniment
Grades 1-5
- Rhythm study
- Performance
- Free choice specialism
- Prepared accompaniment
- Musicianship
Grades 6 to 8
- Performance
- Free choice specialism
- Unprepared accompaniment
- Musicianship