Piano Duet Exams | London College of Music Examinations

Piano Duet

About LCME Piano Duet exams

Piano Duet brings two pianists together at one piano to perform as a balanced ensemble. The new 2026 LCME Piano Duet syllabus sits within the wider 2026 Piano syllabus (PDF), sharing its new repertoire and approach.

Piano Duet exams are open to all candidates, whether you're preparing with a regular duet partner, a fellow student or a teacher. There are no prerequisite qualifications — candidates can enter at any level provided they have the required knowledge, skills and understanding.

The 2026 Piano Duet syllabus is open for entries from 1 September 2026. Meanwhile, you can use the 2021 syllabus, which remains valid until 31 July 2027, giving candidates and teachers a full 12-month overlap to plan a smooth transition.

2026 Piano Duet – graded exams

Available grades

• Grades 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7

Please note, unliked our Grade and Recital Piano exams, Piano Duet exams are not regulated by Ofqual and do not carry UCAS points.

Exam format

Candidates perform three pieces, one from each of Lists A, B and C in the 2026 Piano Duet syllabus. An own-choice piece of comparable standard and length may be substituted in up to two pieces at Grades 1 to 5, and in one piece at Grade 7.

Both performers must change places for at least one of their pieces, so each candidate has the chance to play both parts of a duet.

At Grade 7, candidates also complete a Sight Reading or Keyboard Harmony Test, taken from the requirements of the standard Grade 7 Piano exam.

Download the 2026 syllabus (PDF)

How candidates are assessed

Performances are marked using the same criteria as our standard Piano grades — technical accomplishment, musical knowledge, musicality and communication — with the added focus of how well the two performers work together as a balanced ensemble.