RAD Exams information
Its that time again for RAD Exams. Pupils are now working towards their next set of exams at Elite Academy of Dance. The exams come in three sections, Dance you own Tune for ages 2 1/2 to 5, The Graded Syllabus which include Pre Primary, Primary and Grades 1-8 for age 5 and over. Finally there are the Vocational Graded Exams which includes Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate, Advanced Foundation, Advanced 1 and Advanced 2, for age 11 and above. Royal Academy Exam’s from Grade 6 and above are allocated points on the UCAS Tariff. This means that students who have achieved a pass or higher in Grades 6, 7, 8, Intermediate and Advanced Foundation, can use their RAD exam result towards their points tariff when applying to college or university in the UK. The RAD are the only dance exam’s which have been verified and attract UCAS points.
RAD Exams at Elite Academy of Dance.
RAD Exams what happens on the day.
On the day of RAD Exams students will required to be at the studio at least 45min before their exam. This allows dancers to warm up and be fully prepared for their exam. As exams are controlled externally and work to a strict timescale, please note if times are missed or students are late they will miss their exam.
Students require to be in their full RAD uniform, hair in a bun for the girls, no nail varnish, no make up and have no jewellery. Students will normally be part of a group of 4 – 6 students taking their exams at the same time. Each student will be allocated a number by the school before entering the studio for their exam. The exam its self is carried out by an external examiner. No teachers are allowed in the studio while the exam is in progress. The only other people who will be in the studio are the pianist or the person working the sound system.
Its a big day for the students and nerves play a big part on the day. However they must remember they have trained and worked hard to sit these exams. Of course they will make mistakes during the exam. However if students remember what they have been taught they will be fine. Finally don’t follow the rest of the class, do what you know is right.
RAD Exams results.
Once the RAD Exams are finished there is no direct feedback from the examiner to school on how the exams went or how individual students performed. Results normally take six weeks to be sent back to the school. Students are awarded a Fail, Pass, Merit or Distinction. Naturally all students want to achieve a Distinction, however the exams and marking criteria is designed to give a true reflection of the actual exam on the day. Exam statistics from 2015 and 2016 financial year show only 29.1% of world wide students gained a Distinction. Along with the result the marks are broken into sections. This allows students and teachers see what was good or not so good in the exam.
Naturally some students will be delighted with their results others may be disappointed. There have students who may have just passed a Grade 4 Exam one year but got a Distinction in Grade 5 the following year, and vice verse. Remember its a 30min snap shot, where a student has had great day or just a bad day. However a pass allows students to move onto the next grade and build on what they have already achieved.
The exam’s only form part of what is on offer at Elite Academy of Dance. We have our annual Summer Show and of course the friendship and fun our students have on a weekly basis.
