SYLLABUS | CCOM CHINESE INSTRUMENT EXAM
Exam Syllabus
Central Conservatory of Music of China Overseas Chinese Music Standard Grade Examination
U.S.A.
Central Conservatory of Music of China Overseas Chinese Music Standard Grade Examination
U.S.A.
I) Principles
The Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM) of China is China’s most senior musical institute offering accredited examinations to applicants. Since 1989, the Standard Grade Examination Committee of the CCOM has the mandate of expanding musical education and its stylistic tradition, and it provides authoritative musical achievement level assessment for overseas Chinese instrumental musicians and students. The examination material is based on the assessment criteria utilized by the CCOM. The materials which are compiled by highly experienced experts have an increasing level of difficulty with an emphasis on the core techniques as the principles of the assessment. Students who follow the basic increments of the learning material will find themselves steadily progressing, reaching new levels of achievement. To expand the culture of Chinese music, the CCOM, in collaboration with Chinese Musicians Association of America and California Youth Chinese Symphony, will host a Chinese Instrument Grade Examination in the United States. Candidates will be tested by examiners from CCOM of Beijing on material compiled by the CCOM, and subsequently will be issued a Certificate of Accomplishment by the CCOM. The aim of this collaboration is to raise the professional quality of Chinese music performance, and to encourage the local development of Chinese music.
The Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM) of China is China’s most senior musical institute offering accredited examinations to applicants. Since 1989, the Standard Grade Examination Committee of the CCOM has the mandate of expanding musical education and its stylistic tradition, and it provides authoritative musical achievement level assessment for overseas Chinese instrumental musicians and students. The examination material is based on the assessment criteria utilized by the CCOM. The materials which are compiled by highly experienced experts have an increasing level of difficulty with an emphasis on the core techniques as the principles of the assessment. Students who follow the basic increments of the learning material will find themselves steadily progressing, reaching new levels of achievement. To expand the culture of Chinese music, the CCOM, in collaboration with Chinese Musicians Association of America and California Youth Chinese Symphony, will host a Chinese Instrument Grade Examination in the United States. Candidates will be tested by examiners from CCOM of Beijing on material compiled by the CCOM, and subsequently will be issued a Certificate of Accomplishment by the CCOM. The aim of this collaboration is to raise the professional quality of Chinese music performance, and to encourage the local development of Chinese music.
- Subjects:
Erhu, Pipa, Yangqin, Guzheng, Dizi, Sheng, Zhongruan, Suona, Liuqin, Chinese Percussion - Eligibility:
Any candidates who have achieved certain proficiency on the subject, regardless of age and place of residence are allowed to register.
Level 1-9 and performance certificate levels are available for erhu, pipa, yangqin, guzheng, dizi, sheng, liuqin, zhongruan, and suona.
Level 1-10 and performance certificate levels are available for Chinese percussion.
II) Registration
- Submission timeline: 2025-8-1 through 2025-9-30
Register online
Exam Permits: 2025-10-1 through 10-15 via email - Application Procedure:
All registration must be completed online with examination fees submitted at the same time. Information required include full name (in English), Chinese name (optional), gender, date of birth, mobile phone, examination subject, grade level, song names, parent name, address, teacher name and contact info. Information on the certificate is obtained from your registration. Please verify all information is correct during registration. - Exam fees:
Please see Grade Levels and Fees.
- Please submit the correct application fee according to the payment list, otherwise the application will be voided. Once submitted, the application fee will not be returned, nor can it be transferred to another applicant.
IV) Examination
- Examination Format: Recording
- Examination Dates - Recording Schedule:
11/2/25 (Sun PM)
11/8/25 (Sat AM/PM)
11/15/25 (Sat AM/PM)
11/16/25 (Sun PM) - Examination Venue:
California Youth Chinese Symphony
4800 Patrick Henry Dr, Santa Clara, CA 95054 (enter from back of building) - Results Announcement:
Results are available in about two months. - Certificates Release:
Within two months after the results are released.
V) Important Info:
- Only the Examination book published by the Central Conservatory of Music Examination Board should be used.
- Arrive 30 minute before scheduled examination time.
- Only exam candidates are allowed into the recording room.
- Recording videos should be landscape and resolutions between 480p and 720p. Frequency no more than 30fps, and each file no larger than 300MB. Recording cannot be repeated.
- Recording background should be neat and clean. Candidates are recommended to wear formally or performance attire.
- Candidates (at least upper body) and the entire instrument must appear in the video.
- Before candidates start their performance, they should hold their ID and exam permit, and announce their name and exam song names. Then they perform the songs in order.
- Candidates should complete all components of the testing. Omitting any components are considered not passing. No repeal will be accepted.
- All candidates (except of age 18 or older) are required to perform music pieces memorized except for the etude pieces. Candidate must bring CCOM published examination material into the testing area, regardless of the candidate’s preference to perform with or without their music. No sheet music, papers, writing boards, or other items that could be suspected of hinting at exam content may be placed within the candidate's visible range. For pieces that allow the use of sheet music, the sheet music may only be placed in front of the candidate during the performance of that specific piece. Failure to comply may result in disqualification from the examination and no repeal will be accepted.
- All examination songs must be performed using the designated instrument. Failure to comply may result in disqualification from the examination and no repeal will be accepted.
- Candidates should bring their own instruments. Candidates being tested on Yangqin and Guzheng may request an instrument be provided from the testing site but such request must be indicated during application. It will be candidates' responsibilities to tune all instruments regardless if they are provided by testing site or owned.
- No accompaniments are allowed for any level of assessment. No mute should be used.
- Candidates applying for Performance Certificate must provide a copy of their highest level of certificate during registration. For example, candidates applying for performance certificate for guzheng should have already passed level 9 of guzheng exam and should provide a copy of their level 9 certificate during registration. Candidates applying for performance certificate for Chinese percussion should have already passed level 10 of Chinese percussion.
- The examination will be conducted in Mandarin Chinese. If the candidate requires translation services, please specify the request for translation services upon registration for the examination.
- CCOM and Chinese Musicians Association of America reserve the right to the final assessment.
VI) Examination Content
- As examination takes place in recording format, oral examination will be omitted.
- For erhu, pipa, yangqin, guzheng, dizi, sheng, liuqin, zhongruan, and suona: Candidates need to choose from one etude/practice piece (not required to play from memory) and one music piece (play from memory except for those age 18 or above). All selected pieces should be selected from the examination song list.
- For Chinese percussion:
a) For level 1-10: Select pieces according to all categories listed for each level. All etude pieces should be played from memory. All song pieces need to be played from memory (except for those of age 18 or above).
b) For performance certificate: Select one piece between 《太陽》and《雲之南》. Select another piece between《夜深沉》and《花板鼓》. All pieces should be played from memory.
Candidates and parents are requested to carefully read this examination guideline and comply with all the regulations outlined. Thank you for your cooperation!
