How to prepare harmony and history

[cfz1988]

Hi everyone, I am currently working on my RCM level ten exam and I prepare it by myself.
I feel like it's a little bit tricky when comes to preparing the theory part because I am kind of "amateur" and I have not studied in a music college.

Currently, I am preparing for my RCM level nine harmony and history. Besides the books and past offical examination papers from RCM website, I know the RCM provide some onlline courses for harmony. However, it's a little bit expensive which costs 499 dollars.

Any other good advice preparing for those theories according to your experience?  Thank you.

[anacrusis]

I don't know the RCM exams. Do they give any indications on what it is you need to know to pass the exam? What areas will come up on the test etc.?

[keypeg]

Have you studied the preceding material: theory rudiments?  Harmony and history are at three levels if I recall correctly, and the RCM also provides practice exams.

[cfz1988]

Have you studied the preceding material: theory rudiments?  Harmony and history are at three levels if I recall correctly, and the RCM also provides practice exams.

I passed the level 8 practical and theory exam. Yes. There are three levels of history and harmony exam which start from level nine and above. I have ordered the level nice RCM book and past exam paper. Hope I can find some clues.

[cfz1988]

I don't know the RCM exams. Do they give any indications on what it is you need to know to pass the exam? What areas will come up on the test etc.?

Thank you for your thoughts. I am self-taught. That's why it is a little bit hard to figure it out the pattern. Fortunately, I have found some books and some past exam papers.

[quantum]

Doing practice exams is a very effective way to study for the actual exam.  As stated above you can purchase practice exams / past exams from previous sessions. 

However, for a long time the RCM has only made the most recent past exams available for sale at any given point in time.  IMO, this is the absolute bare minimum for a student to become comfortable with exam material.  It is just not enough practice material. 

To take an example, the 2020 Official Examination Papers: Level 9 Harmony contains three exams. 

This is where studying with a theory teacher has its merits, as many teachers keep a library of past exams as well as practice material that may be out of print.  The older exams may be slightly different, but the point is they are still very usable as material to practice.