Filming exams
Where it is not possible to hold examinations with an examiners present, please contact your local office about the possibility of filming exams.
Pianists for vocational graded examinations
Teachers will not be required to use a pianist for their vocational graded examinations in AECs and for filmed examinations. In RAVs, where possible, a pianist will be provided. If teachers can use a pianist, and would like to do so, we would of course encourage this.
Soft-pointe shoes
The use of soft-pointe shoes will not be compulsory for Vocational Graded examinations (Intermediate to Advanced 2). Soft ballet shoes may be worn with either ribbons or elastic. Pointe shoes are required for the pointe section.
Free Enchaînements (Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced Foundation)
To facilitate the free enchaînement in examinations without a pianist at the relevant levels, teachers should provide access to the free music found on the official RAD Vocational CDs, associated with the level that is being examined.
Guidance for teachers regarding how to deliver the free enchaînement in filmed examinations can be found in the filming guideline documents available from local offices and in the free enchaînment guidelines for filmed examinations document available in the members’ area.
Grade 6, 7, 8 class awards
We brought forward the introduction of the grades 6, 7 and 8 class awards to September 2020. These are now in place for teachers who would like to take this option instead of an examination.
The RAD will no longer provide grade 6, 7 and 8 presentation classes. – Class Awards Only
Successful candidates for grade 6, 7 and 8 class awards will receive a certificate, result form and a medal, although due to the current pandemic-related supply issues, it is likely that students are sent their medals at a later date (for the remainder of 2020 at least).
We will update teachers with developments as soon as we have them.
Class Awards
There are no prerequisites for our graded examinations, solo performance awards or class awards. If candidates have been previously working towards, or entered for, an examination, the entry can be changed to a class award if this a more appropriate option under present circumstances.
Pre-Primary in Dance – Class Award
- The Warm-up, Cool-down and Imaginative Movement Sequence should be presented.
- Teachers may choose to present any 7 of the 9 set exercises.
Primary in Dance – Class Award
The following exercise choices are permitted at the teacher’s discretion.
| Technique 2 | Bend and run OR Bend and point |
| Technique 4 | TWO of the following exercises: Jumps, Spring or Hops, Jumps and springs |
| Technique 5 | Galops and skips OR Run and leap |
Graded Examinations:
| Grade | Exercise | Adaptations |
|---|---|---|
| Primary in Dance | Run and leap | One diagonal only – Teacher/candidate’s choice |
| Grade 1 | Step hop and parallel assemblé | One diagonal only – Teacher/candidate’s choice |
| Grade 2 | Turns and parallel assemblés | One side only – Teacher/candidate’s choice |
| Grade 3 | Grands battements A – devant OR Grands battements B – second and derrière | Teacher/candidate’s choice of exercise |
| Ronds de jambe à terre | Teacher/candidate’s choice of en dehors OR en dedans | |
| Glissades, sissonnes and assemblés | Teacher/candidate’s choice of starting right OR left foot devant | |
| Turns | One diagonal only – Teacher/candidate’s choice | |
| Grade 4 | Assemblés and temps levés | Teacher/candidate’s choice of starting right OR left foot devant |
| Grade 5 | Glissades and sissonnes | Teacher/candidate’s choice of starting right OR left foot devant |
| Turns | One diagonal only – Teacher/candidate’s choice | |
| Grade 6 | Battements frappés OR Demi-pointe enchaînement | Teacher/candidate’s choice of exercise |
| Pirouettes en dehors OR Pirouettes en dedans | Teacher/candidate’s choice of exercise |
Vocational Graded Examinations
| Level | Exercise | Adaptation |
|---|---|---|
| Intermediate Foundation (male/female) | Port de bras | Teacher/candidate’s choice of starting right OR left foot devant |
| Intermediate (male/female) | Pirouettes en dedans and posé pirouettes (female) | Teacher/candidate’s choice of starting side (corner 7 OR 8) |
| Relevés passés derrière OR Relevés passés devant (female) | Teacher/candidate’s choice of exercise | |
| Allegro 5 (male) | Performed one side only – Teacher/candidate’s choice | |
| Advanced Foundation (female) | Pirouettes (pointe work) | Teacher/candidate’s choice of starting side (corner 7 OR 8) |
| Advanced 1 (male/female) | Port de bras | Teacher/candidate’s choice of starting side – right OR left foot devant |
| Pirouette enchaînement | Teacher/candidate’s choice of starting side – right OR left foot devant; Double pirouette en dehors finishing in attitude derrière en croisé OR 2nd arabesque | |
| Adage (female) | Teacher/candidate’s choice of pivot en dehors in arabesque OR attitude derrière | |
| Advanced 2 (female) | Port de bras | Teacher/candidate’s choice of starting side – right OR left foot devant |
| Pirouette enchaînement | Teacher/candidate’s choice of starting side – right OR left foot devant | |
| Allegro 3 | Teacher/candidate’s choice of starting side – right OR left foot devant | |
| Advanced 2 (male) | Port de bras | Teacher/candidate’s choice of starting side – right OR left foot devant; Double pirouette en dedans in attitude derrière OR 1st arabesque |
| Battement fondus and ronds de jambe en l’air | Teacher/candidate’s choice of starting side – right OR left foot devant; Double pirouette en dedans in attitude derrière OR 1st arabesque | |
| Pirouette en dehors in attitude or arabesque | Teacher/candidate’s choice of double pirouette en dehors in 2nd arabesque OR attitude derrière | |
| Pirouette enchaînement | Teacher/candidate’s choice of starting side – right OR left foot devant | |
| Allegro 4 | Teacher/candidate’s choice of starting side – right OR left foot devant |
Discovering Repertoire
| Level | Exercise | Adaptations |
|---|---|---|
| Level 3 – unit: Class | Allegro 3 | Teacher/candidate’s choice of starting side |
| Level 4 – unit: Variation | Development exercise H (male) | Teacher/candidate’s choice of starting right OR left foot devant |
Further guidelines
- AEC – Where there is a choice of exercise or starting position, all candidates in the same set should perform the same setting when they are required to demonstrate the work all together or 2 x 2.
- RAV – where exercises are shown all together or 2 x 2 in sets with candidates from mixed schools, groupings in the examination will be adapted to facilitate the candidate’s choice of starting foot.
- Candidates in the same set may choose different diagonals/sides to perform continuous 1 x 1 exercises.
- Reasonable adjustments to floor patterns exercises will be accepted if required to facilitate social distancing guidelines.
- There will be no change to the length of examinations.
- Should you have any questions about the adaptations, please contact your local office or the headquarters Examinations Department at exams@rad.org.uk
For any questions do as it will all be in the approved specifications
Syllabus Amendments easy overview:
- Pre-Primary and Primary in Dance
- Grades 1-3
- Grade 4
- Grade 5
- Grade 6
- Grade 8 female
- Grade 8 male
- Intermediate Foundation
- Intermediate
- Advanced Foundation
- Advanced 1 (female)
- Advanced 1 (male/female)
- Advanced 2 (male)
- Advanced 2 (female)
Please note: We are aware that the title of the music for B11a: Grade 2 – ‘Turns and parallel assemblés exercise (Music A)’ contains an outdated term that is not acceptable. First published in the early 20th century, it certainly does not reflect our values as a welcoming and inclusive organisation.
We apologise for this oversight and assure you that we are continually reflecting on our work to ensure that it reflects and represents our diverse global community.
With immediate effect, we are updating all future RAD materials so that this piece of music will be listed as ‘Claude Debussy – Children’s Corner, L113, Number 6’.
If you already own the material, you can download a replacement PDF here to print at home. Of course, if you no longer wish to use this piece, option B is available.
If you have any questions please contact us at exams@rad.org.uk.
Discovering Repertoire
- Level 2 – the note on page 22 (‘For the classwork reverence, please play DR2-35, page 52’) has been printed in error and should be ignored.
- Level 3, Variation 1 Female – the second page of Benesh Notation for this variation (page 57) is incorrect in the books first published in 2017 (see copyright page). This has been corrected for all subsequent reprints. This link contains the correct version.
Sheet Music Amendments
- Grades 4-5
- Intermediate
- Advanced Foundation, P6 – AF-03 Battements glissés and battements jetés exercise music. Listen now.
- Advanced Foundation
- Advanced 1, P34 – A1-25: Révérence – the révérence is not the correct length in the music book. This link contains the correct version.
- Advanced 1
- Advanced 2
For syllabus and music books visit www.radenterprises.co.uk