DANCE EXAMS

Thinking of doing dance exams and not sure if its for you? Read this page to help you decide.

Most good dance schools are linked with a dance examination board and follow a dance exam syllabus. This will usually be the organisation the dance teacher/principal passed their teaching exams with.

The syllabus is created by the dance board, which makes it easier for the teachers to have a curriculum to follow and to know what level their students should be at.

If your child is serious about dancing it is important for them to be at least following an exam syllabus.

When it comes time for exams, the dance instructor will always have the last say as to whether the child is ready for the exams. Trust the teacher, they have a lot of experience and will not want to put a child in for an exam knowing they are not ready.

If they say your child is not ready, look at it as though they will have another year to prepare and will then have more chance of not only passing but getting a higher grade.

Although exams can be quite a nervous time for students, they are only doing what they have practiced every week, all year, in class.

Actually the younger they are to start doing exams, the better they become at handling any pressure, and preparing themselves, and less likely to get nervous than those starting at a later age.

Some dance examiners will allow students to take exams 2 at a time, ( which is less intimidating), whilst others do insist on 1 student at a time.

Taking an exam and passing (which most who enter, do pass) gives the student a wonderful feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction in knowing they are improving each year.
It also gives them a certificate to show for all their hard work.

If you or your child gets very nervous about exams and puts a lot of pressure on themselves to do well, it is important to remember to keep things in perspective.

It is only one moment out of the whole year, if you don't get the top pass level, it doesn't matter as long as you do pass, and there is always another year to work on improving.

If you don't want to take exams, most dancing schools allow you to progress to the next level class, although with some, you then cannot take an exam or you will have to go back and start at the lower levels. Check with your dance school on their requirements.

As you (or your child) gets older and you apply for part-time jobs, college, university and full-time work, you can include these dance exams on your resume.
This will have a great effect of showing your commitment and seriousness to an extra curricular subject, which is always considered as much as school subjects, which are compulsory.

They can also help give you the edge over other students if you are applying for any specialised school programs.

In some countries, they are now recognising qualifications in the Arts, ex dance, as equal to academic subjects and you can gain points towards your high school certificates. Ask your dance teacher or local education authority for more information on this, for your area.

PREPARING FOR DANCE EXAMS

Prepare what you will wear for the exam. Again ask your dancing instructor.
Neatness will score points or at least possibly lose points for lack of it.
Most of the time, a dance leotard and tights are all you can wear so the examiner can clearly see the posture and line of the body.
Make sure the dance wear is clean, tidy, not too worn and no tears or stray threads.
Tights should be as good as new.
Shoes should be clean and polished.
If there are many scuffs and scratches, a quick touch up of a layer of paint (click here for how to paint dance shoes) will have them looking like new.

Hair. Again, check with your dance instructor. Normally, for all dance exams, you will have your hair in a bun. Read how to do the perfect hair bun.

You may be allowed something in the hair, such as a pink or black ribbon, a small scrunchie or flower on the side of the bun. If you are going into an exam with another child, it is a good idea to match hair accessories.

Always allow plenty of time to get to the studio, to warm up and relax before your time.
Make sure your dance teacher has your contact numbers.
I have known exams to run late, every student taking longer than the allotted time so by the afternoon they are running well over an hour late.
I have also had a phone call from the dance studio saying the examiner is flying through the exams and to get on down there now as the children will be going in early.
It all depends on the examiners.

Once in the examination room, it is important to always do as the examiner says, pay attention all the time, stand up straight when not dancing and do not fidget!

Good luck, work hard and then Celebrate your Success!

Tell Us All About Your Dance Exams

Have you taken a Dance Exam?

Were you nervous, scared, or had butterflies in your tummy?
Did you find once you were in the room, after all those months of practice, you just remembered everything?
Were you well prepared?
Which Dance Exam did you take, and which Grade?

Tell us all about your Dance Exam experience!

There are many dance kids who would love to hear how other students felt doing their exams!

(Remember, if you're 13 or younger you must get a parent to give permission and help you.)

Your Dance Exam Stories

Click on the links below to read more Dance Exam Stories submitted by other Dance Kids.....