Remote Examination Zoom Guide

In Advance (at least 24–48 hours before your exam)

1. Set Up Zoom
2. Adjust Audio Settings in Zoom
3. Test Your Zoom Settings
4. Arrange for an Exam Run-through
5. Complete and Submit Your Program Form
6. Download Your Prepared Sight Reading
7. Set Up Your Exam Room

1. Check Your Setup
2. Join Your Exam
3. Perform Your Exam
4. End Your Exam

• Avoid using the browser version of Zoom for your exam
• Avoid using a Chrome book for your exam
• Avoid using the Zoom Rooms application. Remote exams are conducted through Zoom Workspace

1. Download the latest version of Zoom Workspace (English). Be sure to use the Zoom Workspace app (instead of the browser version):
   1. zoom.us/download
2. Create your Basic (Free) account in Zoom (if you do not already have one).

To access Audio settings in the Zoom desktop app:
 

1. Sign in to the Zoom desktop app.

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2. Click your profile icon on the top right of the screen. This will open a dropdown menu.

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3. Click “Settings.”

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4. In Settings, select “Audio.”

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5. Ensure that the speakers and microphone that you wish to use are selected from
   the dropdown menu.

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6. Under “Microphone,” deselect “Automatically adjust microphone volume.”

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7. Scroll down within audio settings, and under “Microphone modes,” select “Original Sound for musicians” and enable (✔) High-fidelity music mode, Echo Cancellation, and Stereo audio.

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8. For help navigating Zoom’s Settings, please refer to this page.

To access Video settings in the Zoom desktop app:

1. Sign in to the Zoom desktop app.
    

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2. Click your profile icon on the top right of the screen. This will open a dropdown menu.

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3. Click “Settings.”

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4. Select “Video & effects.”

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5. Under “Camera,” ensure that the camera you wish to use is selected from the dropdown menu.

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6. Ensure that “Auto-framing” is deselected.

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7. Under “Virtual backgrounds,” ensure that “None” is selected.

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8. For help navigating Zoom’s Settings, please refer to this page.

Go to zoom.us/test to run three tests:

1. Video Test: Make sure your camera is working properly.
2. Speaker Test: Make sure you hear a ringtone.
3. Microphone Test: Try speaking, playing your instrument (and/or singing), and clapping (and/or tapping) and make sure you hear a replay after each test.
   1. If you do not hear a replay, try different microphones on your device (if available).
   2. If an alternate microphone does not improve results, close the Microphone Test and refer to the troubleshooting steps below. 

 

Microphone Troubleshooting

1. Click your profile icon on the top right of the screen, then click Settings.
2. In Settings, select “Audio.”
3. Select “Test microphone” and record yourself speaking, playing, and clapping. If you can’t hear all three, proceed to the next step.

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4. Select “Original sound for musicians” and test speaking, playing, and clapping.

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Windows Troubleshooting

1. From the “Audio” menu in Settings, scroll down, select “Advanced,” set Echo cancellation” to Auto, and set “Signal Processing by Windows audio device drivers” to Off.

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2. Return to the “Audio” menu by clicking the back arrow and test speaking, clapping, and playing.

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3. If the problem persists, close Zoom and find the sound driver settings on your computer to disable noise cancelling. Each computer has a different sound driver setting:
   1. For Dell, select “Realtek Audio Console “or “MaxxAudio Pro.
   2. For HP, select “Bang & Olufsen.”
   3. For other Windows models, please refer to this page.

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4. Restart Zoom and perform another Microphone test. Try speaking, playing your instrument (and/or singing), and clapping (and/or tapping) and make sure you hear a replay after each test.

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macOS Troubleshooting

1. For macOS, please refer to this page and ensure that Voice Isolation is disabled and Wide Spectrum is enabled.
2. Restart Zoom and perform another Microphone test. Try speaking, playing your instrument (and/or singing), and clapping (and/or tapping) and make sure you hear a replay after each test.

 
 

Adjust Audio Settings During Your Exam

1. In the meeting controls toolbar, click the up-arrow /\ beside the Audio icon. 

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2. Select “Audio settings…”. This will open the Settings window.

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3. In the “Audio” menu,
   1. Ensure that the speakers and microphone that you wish to use are selected from the dropdown menu.

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   2. Under “Microphone,” deselect “Automatically adjust microphone volume.”

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   3. Under “Microphone modes,” select “Original Sound for musicians.”

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   4. Under “Original sound for Musicians,” enable (✔) High-fidelity music mode, Echo Cancellation, and Stereo audio.

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4. Close the Settings window to return to the meeting.
5. In the top-right corner of the meeting screen, look for “Original sound for musicians: on.” If the text is “Original sound for musicians: off,” follow the previous steps to adjust the audio settings. If sound is not coming through clearly, both participants on the Zoom meeting should access their audio settings as outlined above and click the button under “Audio Profile” to enable “Live Performance Audio.”

1. In the meeting controls toolbar, click the up-arrow icon /\ beside the Video icon. 

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2. Select “Video settings…”. This will open the Settings window.
   

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3. In the “Video & effects” menu,
   1. Under “Camera,” ensure that the camera you wish use is selected from the dropdown menu.

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   2. Ensure that “Auto-framing” is deselected.

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   3. Under “Virtual backgrounds,” ensure that “None” is selected.

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4. Close the Settings window to return to the meeting.

 
 

1. Download the latest version of Zoom Workspace (English) from your device’s official app store (Google Play Store/Apple App Store). Be sure to use the Zoom app (not the browser version).
2. Create your Basic (Free) account in Zoom (if you do not already have one).

To access Audio settings in the Zoom mobile app:

1. Sign in to the Zoom mobile app.

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2. In the top-left corner, tap your avatar.

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   1. This will open your Zoom Profile.

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3. Tap “Settings.”

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4. Tap “Audio.”

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5. Select (✔) “Original sound for musicians.”

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For additional tips on configuring audio settings, visit the Zoom support page.

To access Video settings in the Zoom mobile app:

1. Sign in to the Zoom mobile app.

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2. Start a meeting.
   1.  Tap “Meet.”

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   2. Enable “Video On” and tap “Start a meeting.”

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   3. Preview your video and tap “Start.”

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3. In the meeting controls toolbar along the bottom of the screen, navigate to “More  ” by swiping left through the options.

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4. Tap “More .”

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5. Tap “Background & effects.”

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6. Under Virtual Backgrounds, select “None.”

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7. Tap “Video Filters” and select “None.”

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8. iPad/iOS: Disable Apple Center Stage
   1. Tap the screen to bring up meeting controls.
   2. In the top-right corner, tap the Grid icon, then tap Center Stage to disable video tracking.

 

1. Reboot your mobile device.
2. If the problem persists, delete Zoom from your system and re-install Zoom.
3. If the problem persists, try using another desktop or mobile device.
4. For additional support, please watch the “How to Zoom” video series or visit the Zoom Help Center: support.zoom.us/hc/en-us.

1. In the meeting controls toolbar along the bottom of the screen, navigate to “More ” by swiping left through the options.

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2. Tap “More.”

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3. Tap “Audio Settings.”

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4. Select (✔) “Original sound for musicians.”

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1. In the meeting controls toolbar along the bottom of the screen, navigate to “More” by swiping left through the options.

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2. Tap “More.”

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3. Tap “Background & effects.”

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4. Under Virtual Backgrounds, tap “None.”

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5. Tap “Video Filters” and tap “None.”

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6. iPad/iOS: Disable Apple Center Stage
   1. Tap the screen to bring up meeting controls.
   2. In the top-right corner, tap the Grid icon, then tap Center Stage to disable video tracking.

 

1. Arrange for a run-through of your exam over Zoom with your teacher to test your audio and video.
2. If your teacher is not available, you can also test your audio with another Zoom user.
3. Ensure this person is at a different location. This is important to ensure that all audio is functioning properly for your actual exam.
4. Be sure to include your collaborative pianist (if applicable) in your run-through to ensure that the sound of both instruments is audible over Zoom.

1. Submit Your Examination Program in your MyRCM account as soon as possible, but no later than 24 hours before your remote exam time.

1. Your Prepared Sight Reading will be available in your MyRCM account no later than 22 hours before your exam. Go to “My Exams & Results,” select the correct family member, and click on “Exam Materials” under “Upcoming Exams.”
2. Print your Prepared Sight Reading or set up the PDF for viewing on an electronic device other than the one you are using for Zoom.

1. Choose the best location for your exam (your home, teacher’s studio, etc.).
2. Position the camera so that the examiner will be able to see the student, including the instrument. For piano exams, the keyboard and pedals must be visible.
3. The examiner must be able to see you performing on your instrument and must be able to clearly hear your performance.
    

Set Up for Piano Exams

1. Set up the camera so that the examiner can see the piano keys.

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2. The camera position must allow the examiner to see the full profile of the student, including the hands on the keyboard and the feet on the pedal(s).

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3. For Preparatory to Level 8 piano exams: a tuned acoustic piano is recommended.
4. A weighted-touch (touch-sensitive) electronic keyboard (preferably 88 keys, but a minimum of 76 keys) is permitted. Depending on the model, electronic keyboards may require additional external speakers.
5. For Levels 9 and up: a tuned acoustic piano is required.

 

Set Up for Exams with a Collaborative Pianist

1. Position the camera so that the examiner can see both the student and the collaborative pianist.
2. Be sure to include your collaborative pianist in your run-through to ensure that your sound, as well as that of the pianist, is audible over Zoom.
3.  If you will be using recorded accompaniment (Preparatory–Level 4 only), use a separate device from the one you will be using for Zoom. The accompaniment device should have its own speaker and should be positioned at a slight distance from the Zoom device.

 

Discipline-specific Tips

Guitar
Position yourself facing the camera so that the examiner can see you and your instrument.

Voice
Position the camera so that the examiner can see from the top of your head down to your hands. A music stand is recommended for any materials needed for your exam (for example, Prepared Sight Reading, Vocalises, and Technical Tests). The stand should be positioned such that it does not block the singer’s body from the examiner’s view.

Strings, Brass, Woodwinds, and Percussion
Ensure that there is adequate space between the instrument and the microphone. Positioning the microphone too close to the instrument may distort the sound.
 

1. Set up your camera (phone, tablet, or computer) facing you and your instrument (as outlined above).
2. Have all music scores for your exam program available for reference.
3. Place Prepared Sight Reading, Etudes, and any music you will not be performing by memory on your music stand or piano.

1. Join your exam through your MyRCM account no earlier than 5 minutes before your start time.
2. Once you have logged in, go to “My Exams and Results.”

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3. Select the Family Member taking the exam.

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4. Find the exam under “Upcoming Exams” and click on the “Start Exam” button. This button will only be active 5 MINUTES BEFORE the exam. Please do not try to enter the online room earlier as you may disrupt an exam currently in progress.

 

1. When you join the Zoom meeting, your examiner will welcome you to your exam.
2. The examiner will guide you through your exam according to the order listed on your Program Form. If the examiner has not received your Program Form, you will be asked to confirm if you will be starting with repertoire or technique first and to provide the titles of your selections.

Please note that there may be a second adjudicator present at your examination for quality assurance and training purposes. Your exam will be evaluated by your assigned examiner.
 

1. IMPORTANT: When instructed by the examiner, click the “Leave Meeting” button on the bottom right-hand corner of your Zoom screen. If you do not do this, you will still be in the meeting, even if your screen is closed. This will prevent the next student from joining their assigned Zoom room.
2. Close the Zoom application.

Congratulations on completing your exam! Take a moment to acknowledge your hard work and 
dedication. Remember that every exam is a valuable learning experience and an important milestone in 
your musical journey. Well done!