How much learning time is needed to prepare for an examination?

We are given guidelines to follow by the ISTD and LAMDA which recommends a minimum number of hours training the children should have before being entered for an examination.

ISTD Guided Learning & Qualification Hours

BALLET

Pre Primary - Grade 3 70 hours

Grade 4 - Grade 5 95 hours

Grade 6 130 hours

Intermediate Foundation 275 hours

Intermediate 275 hours

Advanced 1 & 2 325 hours

MODERN & TAP

Primary - Grade 3 70 hours

Grade 4 & 5 95 hours

Grade 6 130 hours

Intermediate 275 hours

Advanced 1 & 2 325 hours

For Pre Primary to Grade 3 if your child is attending a 45 minute weekly class, this will equate to 2 - 2.5 years to participate in each examination. The majority of students will take their first examination in Year 2.

The names of each grade can sometimes be misleading (Pre Primary and Primary) as if they are pre school age which is not the case. Each examination consists of over 20 exercises and a solo dance each student needs to perform with technical competence, high level of performance and without any guidance from teachers, in front of an examiner they have not met before.

LAMDA Guided Learning & Qualification Hours

Introductory 1 - 3 30 hours

Entry Level 40 hours

Grade 1 60 hours

Grade 2 70 hours

Grade 3 80 hours

Grade 4 100 hours

Grade 5 120 hours

Grade 6 140 hours

Grade 7 180 hours

Grade 8 240 hours

The majority of students will take their first exam in Reception.

Expectations and Fees

Students will need to attend classes regularly to be selected for examinations. The month leading up to the examination your child will need to attend an additional class in their selected examination group.

There will be additional costs for examinations which will be sent a month in advance.

Grades and marking

Once they have completed their exam, they will receive a graded mark sheet and certificate a few weeks later which specifies what grade they have achieved.

ISTD Marking Scheme

A candidate who achieves a ‘Distinction’ classification (80-100 marks) is one who demonstrates the following attributes in performance:

• flair, vitality, and skill

• fully appropriate style

• incisively focussed dancing

• precision in the technique of the genre

• consistent, highly developed musicality

• confident and accurate responses to questions asked and/or tasks set

A candidate who achieves a ‘Merit’ classification (60-79 marks) is one who demonstrates the following attributes in performance:

• skill and proficiency

• largely appropriate style

• focussed dancing

• competence in the technique of the genre

• evidence of developing musicality

• relevant and appropriate responses to questions asked and/or tasks set

A candidate who achieves a 'Pass' classification (40-59 marks) is one who demonstrates the following attributes in performance:

• competence

• basic ability to carry out the required movements

• periodic moments of convincing focus

• basic competence in most aspects of the technique of the genre basic musicality

• broadly relevant and appropriate response to questions asked and/or tasks set, but some prompting may be required

LAMDA Marking Scheme (Solo Introductory Level 1 - 3)

Distinction (80–100 Marks)

A Learner who achieves a Distinction mark will have communicated the meaning of their poem throughout the performance, speaking from memory with expression and confidence throughout. The poem will have been audible and spoken clearly all of the time. During the conversation element of Solo Examination, the Learner will have maintained concentration, whilst listening and responding appropriately to all questions.

Merit (65–79 Marks)

A Learner who achieves a Merit mark will have communicated the meaning of their poem throughout most of the performance, speaking from memory most of the time, with some lapses in confidence and expression. The poem will have been mostly clear and audible. During the conversation element of Solo Examinations, the Learner will have been concentrating for the most part, whilst listening and responding appropriately to most questions.

Pass (50–64 Marks)

A Learner who achieves a Pass mark will have communicated
the meaning of their poem for some of the time, speaking clearly and audibly some of the time, but will have lacked confidence and the ability to express throughout the performance. During the conversation element of Solo Examinations, the Learner will have concentrated some of the time, appropriately answering some of the questions from the Examiner.

LAMDA Marking Scheme (Entry - Grade 8)

Distinction (80–100 Marks)

A Learner who achieves a Distinction grade will have demonstrated the ability to communicate the sense of the piece to the audience in a clear and engaging way, using imaginative body language and facial expression to create their character throughout the presentation. They will have also given detailed descriptions of how their character looks, and how they are feeling in the scene.

Merit (65–79 Marks)

A Learner who achieves a Merit grade will have demonstrated a secure understanding of the content and character chosen. They will have used good facial expression and diction, and audibility will be secure but not consistent, and there may be some errors with memory. Learners will also be able to provide general, but accurate details about their character’s appearance.

Pass (50–64 Marks)

A Learner who achieves a Pass grade will have communicated some understanding of the content of their pieces and the chosen character, with audibility and diction being clear for some of the presentation. A basic awareness of rhythm and shape will be apparent, but lapses in memory may affect this. Learners will provide basic descriptions of what their characters look like, and what they are feeling in each scene.

Moving up after Examinations

All our classes at all venues have their set time slots. We do not move students to different time slots after they have taken an examination. The whole class moves up to the next grade with the class time remaining the same as logistically this works best for us and parents.