Rise to the challenge

Ballet examinations are an enjoyable and very rewarding process to show each student’s progress.

It is important to not only demonstrate that the individuals can remember the exercises, but to also show how each student possesses the appropriate discipline and decorum for classical ballet. 

Exams are ultimately the way we can showcase students’ technical ability, performance ability and most of all their hard work throughout their time in the ballet studio.

Getting Ready For An Exam?

    1. Examinations are either taken at: Ealing Green Church with a visiting examiner, as filmed exams or occasionally may be taken The Royal Academy of Dance HQ in Battersea.

    2. Students will need to attend 6-8 weeks of extra exam coaching classes, prior to the examination, as well as their normal weekly class (+some practice at home.)

    3. Students may have to miss a bit of school for exam day (dependant on the date assigned to us) but don't worry official absence letters are sent out.

    4. Uniform needs to be in a good condition on exam day, especially your shoes and socks.

    5. Girls must have their hair in a ballet bun, check out the tutorial video on our instagram page on how to get the perfect ballet hair.

Types of Examination

  • An examiner conducts exams, with no teacher present.

    Up to four candidates perform the full syllabus and are marked against set criteria and receive a mark out of 100.

    They are available for every level from Primary in Dance to Solo Seal Award.

    Students are awarded a certificate with the attainment band, marked result form and a medal (graded only).

    Result classifications/ attainment bands

    Standard not attained 0 – 39 Marks

    Pass 40 – 54 marks (Bronze)

    Merit 55 – 64 marks (Silver)

    High Merit 65 - 74 marks (Silver)

    Distinction 75 – 84 marks (Gold)

    High Distinction 85 - 100 marks (Gold)

  • Up to eight candidates perform a few selected exercises from the syllabus.

    Class Awards are led by a teacher or an assistant, and the examiner assesses the class.

    The mark scheme provides candidates with a broad overview of standard rather than a detailed breakdown with marks.

    Student is awarded a certificate, assessment report and a medal.

    Attainment Descriptors:

    Not shown (The elements to be assessed were not shown)

    Occasionally (The candidate showed an ability to achieve the required assessment criteria some of the time)

    Generally (The candidate showed an ability to achieve the required assessment criteria approximately half of the time)

    Frequently (The candidate showed an ability to achieve the required assessment criteria almost all of the time)