ASSOCIATED BOARD OF DANCE
Examinations and your first
Exam Session with ABD
(This guide is also available for download in the downloads section)
The examination structure of the ABD is designed to motivate and reward students of all ages and abilities.
When taking an examination, each student will receive a certificate of achievement and a report sheet and when taking a medal test, all students will receive a certificate of achievement, a medal or award and a breakdown of their result (critique sheet).
How Does it work?
Starting with our young learners’ rewards scheme aimed at aged two and above as an introduction to dance, Gerry & Ginger the dancing Giraffes are a fun and engaging introduction to the basics of the core dance styles – Ballet, Tap and Modern Jazz.
These levels are managed totally by teachers in their school and can be run before or alongside our Pre-Prep, Prep & Primary exams that precede our graded and vocational graded levels.
- Graded syllabus: Grade 1 to Grade 8 suitable for candidates from seven years (Grades 1–5) and eleven years (Grades 6–8).
- Vocational Graded Syllabus: This develops the technique, music and performance skills of the older student to an advanced level, preparing them for a dance or dance-related career.
HOW TO BOOK YOUR FIRST EXAM SESSION
You should already have a price list of the entry fees, uniform requirements and timings for each grade and medal test. (if you don’t, you can find this information on the ABD website: www.abd.dance – go to: “Theatre Exam Entry Files”)
We do ask that a session has a minimum total of around £400.
If your school or session cannot meet the minimum total then please contact the office. We can arrange for you to join another exam session in your area.
Once you have a rough idea of a date you would like it is a case of letting us know and we will generate the necessary entry forms.
There is a £50 deposit required in order to secure a session – non- refundable.
As we can now offer the two routes of exams - ABD and ABD/GQAL (ABD/GQAL examinations are regulated by OFQUAL and attract UCAS points) or a mix of both - I would need to know which examinations you choose as there are different forms and procedures for each.
If you choose ABD Exams all of your entries and fees will need to be in at least 6 weeks prior to the session.
If you choose GQAL Exams all of your entries and fees will need to be in 8 weeks prior to the session.
Once we have the entries in it is then down to us to do all of the paperwork and organise an examiner.
The examiner will come to your school for the session.
Sometimes an examiner may have travelled a number of hours to get to you, so I’m sure that an offer of tea or coffee would always be welcomed.
If the session is over 3 hours, a tea break would be appreciated. If the session is over 6 hours, lunch and a tea break is requested.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE EXAMINATION
Make sure that notices are put up asking people to keep quiet as examinations are taking place.
The examiner will ring the bell (which you should supply) when he/she is ready for the candidates to enter the room.
Pre-Preparatory examinations are taken as a class by a qualified teacher (up to 10 candidates at a time)
Generally, for ABD/GQAL graded examinations, candidates should be entered three at a time. If there is an odd four, these can be entered together.
ABD examinations should be entered four at a time.
If there are mirrors in the studio/hall and the candidates can see each other, you should cover the mirrors (ABD/GQAL EXAMINATIONS ONLY) or turn the candidates to face away from the mirrors.
The person working the music should be out of sight of the candidates or behind a screen.
ABD examinations do not require you to cover mirrors.
The candidates should enter the examination room with numbers clearly shown on their chests and greet the examiner with “Good Morning” etc and a curtsey/bow.
The examiner will direct them where to stand and commence the examination in a calm and pleasant manner.
At the end of the examination, the examiner will thank the candidates and they should say “Good Afternoon” etc and vacate the room. Ballet exams will have their own “Reverence”.
RESULTS
You will receive your results and certificates/awards etc. as follows:
ABD up to 4 weeks
ABD/GQAL up to 6 weeks
