R.A.D. Exams & Class Awards
Why choose the exam/class award program?
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The exam program gives each student a goal to work towards and achieve it. There are many great qualities that working towards an exam can foster in each child. Some examples are:
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Discipline – It takes a great amount of discipline to study ballet and work hard in class to reach the technical requirement for each grade level.
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Self-Esteem/Confidence – Achieving your goals heightens self-esteem and confidence
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Recognition – Students receive recognition from the RAD in the form of a marked evaluations, certificates, and medals. As well, the recognition from their peers and teachers. Further study into the vocational levels leads to membership into the RAD or possible teaching opportunities.
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Exams are valuable because they can provide the development of strong technique, artistry, quality of movement and a passion for excellence.
What is the difference between an exam and a class award?
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Exams are conducted by an examiner, with no teacher present. Up to four candidates perform the syllabus and are marked against set criteria. They are available for every level from Primary in Dance to Solo Seal Award. Successful candidates receive a certificate, and for Graded Examinations only (Primary to Grade 8), a medal.
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Class Awards are available for Primary in Dance and Grades 1 – 5. Up to eight candidates perform the syllabus (only one dance is required rather than two). Class Awards are led by a teacher or an assistant, and the examiner assesses the Class. The mark scheme for Class Awards is less detailed than exams, providing candidates with a broad overview of standard rather than a detailed breakdown. Successful candidates receive a certificate and a medal. Class awards are a great stepping stone towards the actual exam. Some children might not be quite ready and/or very apprehensive about the exam process. This is a wonderful way to introduce exams to the students.
How do I get into the exam/class award program?
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The main requirement for studying for an exam is to be taking at least 2 classes per week of the same level, except for Primary in Dance. Example, two Grade 2 classes per week. From here, the teacher is able to work with the students on the required memorized exercises and material. Regular attendance is crucial to ensure the student is receiving enough training. Only taking one class would be an insufficient amount of training.
Why is it mandatory that the candidates need to take at least 2 classes per week?
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The syllabus is a set of exercises that the children must study, memorize, and demonstrate with good technique and performance. If the children are only coming once a week, there just isn’t enough time spent on any of these things in order to pass or come out of the exam with a satisfactory mark. Taking two classes at least ensures that the work is being memorized and there is enough time spent on technique. My ultimate goal is to give the children quality instruction where they feel a real sense of accomplishment and confidence.
What if I am taking two classes a week, but we are missing many classes or my teacher says I’m not ready?
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It isn’t always guaranteed that you will be entered in the exam even if you are taking the two classes. As I said before, if the work/technique isn’t being met, it is up to my discretion not to enter the student. The last thing we want is the student failing the exam or having a very negative experience. This is where the Class Awards can be very beneficial. It is not mandatory to take an exam to move to the next level until the higher grades. (Intermediate)
When does the exam/class award take place?
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The exam session/tour takes place in Ottawa generally in June. We can have “impossible dates” if you think there is a date where you will definitely NOT be available. However, this is reserved for major events, not dentist appointments.
Also, all exams take place during the day and may happen during school hours. The candidate may have to miss a half day or full day of school depending on the timing of the exam.
When is the deadline for entering the candidates?
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The deadline where we need to have all the info AND payments is usually by the end of February.
Where does the exam/class award take place?
We will add our exams to an exam session at a studio in Ottawa.
Will there be a rehearsal at the exam studio and is there an additional cost?
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Yes, this will be arranged for May or June and is MANDATORY for the candidates so they can familiarize themselves with the space before the exam. This will help alleviate any fear of the unknown and help them have a more positive exam experience. There will be a rental/rehearsal fee that will be split among all the exam students. I won’t know this fee until I know how many students will be participating. Approximately $30 – 40 each.
What is the cost for the exam/class award itself?
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The costs for the Graded exams ranges. These fees go directly to the R.A.D. We do not keep any of this payment. This pays for the examiners time, expertise and travel expenses. The R.A.D. trains over 200 highly qualified examiners who come from over 25 countries around the world. There are also administrative fees accompanied such as exam results/certificates, etc. The exam fees are non-refundable unless accompanied by a doctor’s note. A 50% refund will be given in this case. For example, these fees are for the 2025 session. Please note these fees are subject to change from year to year.
Primary - $ 89 Grade 1 - $94 Grade 2 - $98 Grade 3 - $103 Grade 4 - $107 Grade 5 - $112
*Depending on whether we do a Class Award or Examination, the price can vary. Class Awards are slightly cheaper.
What are the Grade Levels?
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Graded Levels/Exams and Class Awards: Pre-Primary and Primary, Grade 1-5
Higher Graded Levels/Exams (no pointe work): Grades 6-8
Vocational Levels (with pointe work): Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced Foundation, Advanced 1, Advanced 2 and Solo Seal
What is the dress code for the exam/class award?
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The dress code is listed on our website. There are extras required for the exam such as the matching waist elastic and character skirt for the girls and character shoes for boys and girls. Black canvas character shoes can be bought at all dancewear stores. For Grades 1-3, the lower heel is required and for Grades 4-5, the Cuban heel is required. Character skirts can be made by our seamstress for approximately $75.00. She is able to make them so that your child may wear them for more than one season.
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The candidates will have a ballet bun done up with proper hairnet and pins with all bangs slicked back. No jewellery should be worn unless for religious reasons. No make-up should be worn either. Underwear must not be seen.
Can parents watch the exam/class award?
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The goal of the exam is for the examiner to evaluate the work demonstrated by the children to make sure that the highest classical standard in achieved through the teaching of their teacher. Therefore, it will be a closed door session (even to the teacher), and all parents will be asked to wait outside the studio during exam times.
When will we get the results and what can we expect?
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It takes a while as the examiner must finish all her assessment, file her results with the RAD in the UK and then have that all sent to the Toronto office to be finished and sent to us. Usually 4-6 weeks. However, sometimes it can be earlier.
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The results a candidate can achieve are fail, pass, merit and distinction. Even though distinction is marked as a 75% or higher, it is very difficult to achieve this. The RAD uses the British system of marking which is different from our North American version. Therefore, some students can be very disheartened when they don’t achieve a distinction but they get A’s in their schoolwork. The RAD has an extremely high standard. I will make sure to relay this to our candidates that if they achieve a pass or merit that it doesn’t mean they have not done well. Only about 25% of students achieve a distinction. The exam scores also only reflect what the child demonstrated on that particular day. We have to remember it is completely subjective to many variables.
The candidates will also receive a report card and certificate as well as a pin.
If you have any more questions regarding RAD exams, please feel free to ask me anytime. You can also go the RAD’s website for more info at www.radcanada.org.
