GRADE EXAMS
Grade Exams
Grade exams include Primary, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4 & Grade 5.
Students must fulfil the following requirements throughout the year:
x 1 class per week (Primary exam)
x 2 classes of per week (Grade 1 - Grade 5)
April Holiday Workshop Intensives
Mock Exam
Exam
Holiday Workshop Intensive - (April school holidays )
Monday 14th April - Wednesday 16th April 2025
This workshop is compulsory for all students wishing to sit for a ballet exam and are held at Action Dance Academy studio.
Students attend 3 days to consolidate their exam work and practice within their small exam groups on the final day which is really important as students are marked on spacial awareness. The workshops are also an opportunity for the teacher to decide whether to submit your child as an exam entry or a class award.
We need to submit students for their exam in May so we only have Term 1 and the holiday workshop to work out exam groups and which students will be taking their exam or class award.
Workshop Intensive costs are:
Primary $90
Grade 1 - 3 $110
Grade 4 - 5 $115
What is the difference between an exam and a class award?
For us there is no difference. We teach the exact same work in the exact same way, we challenge the students and work them all alike. The only difference is the marking criteria and the exam room conditions. In a class award the examiner marks the students based on their own individual ability and the marking criteria is less intense, also one Action Dance teacher is allowed to come into the exam room with class award students.
Exam students are marked against a more strict criteria and students must enter the room without their teacher. If a student isn’t as confident in the work or their ability, we do not want to ruin their confidence by putting them under harsh scrutiny. There is a lot expected of exam students and we would rather encourage than discourage so all students achieve and have a positive experience.
The final decisions whether students will be sitting an exam or class award will be made by our RAD teachers during Term 2 and communicated with parents.
Mock Exam 2025
Sunday 3rd August
Mock exams are compulsory for all exam and class award students. This is a very important dress rehearsal for the students to practice in the studio and perform in front of an examiner. Our teachers will receive written feedback with areas for students to work on prior to their exam.
The Mock Exams will be held at the Action Dance studio and individual times will be allocated closer to the date.
Exam Dates
The grade exams will take place in Term 3 at the Sydney Dual session: 1st September - 21st September The exact dates are not given to us until about a month before and unfortunately we have no control over which date is given to us. Exams are usually mid week and this means children will often have to miss part of the day from school. Letters can be acquired from the Royal Academy of Dance and from Action Dance Academy if needed by your school.
What to bring on exam day
* Hair brush (smooth bristles to style) & comb
* Strong hair elastics matching the colour of their hair
* Strong Open Pins for a secure bun
* Hair nets (thin hair coloured nets not coloured or thick)
* Closed/bobby pins for styling
* Gel/mousse/hair spray (female and male students)
* Character skirt & character shoes (Grade 1-5 only)
* clean new ballet tights
* MDM canvas ballet shoes
* Jacket or dressing gown to wear over leotard while getting hair done
No jewellery or nail polish on exam day.
Annual Costs
Holiday Workshop Intensive (listed above)
Mock Exam $45
Character skirt hire $40 (grade 1 -5)
Exam uniform hire fee $15
RAD Exam Entry Fees
(Prices are determined by the RAD and are subject to change) - These prices below are for 2024 and may vary slightly.
Primary Exam $89
Grade 1 Exam $98
Grade 2 Exam $111
Grade 3 Exam $119
Grade 4 Exam $127
Grade 5 Exam $132
Private Lessons
If a large amount of lessons are missed, private lessons may be required to ensure the student do not fall too far behind in their preparation.
Private lessons are also required if students miss the holiday workshop intensive? Private lessons are $55 for 30mins.