Examinations

Examinations based on the British Association of Teachers of Dance syllabus are offered to all students who reach the required level as assessed by their instructor. Typically held between the end of April and the end of May. We await word from the B.A.T.D. on our exam dates. Ample notice will be given pertaining to examination dates and times.

Levels through the B.A.T.D. Syllabus progress from “First Steps” as young as 4 years old up to Associate exams, which qualify the dancer as a teacher with the B.A.T.D. Beyond that there are a further two exam levels which can be taken, Membership and Fellowship, to further continue a student’s learning and qualify them to become an examiner one day!

There are two ‘types’ of exams in our syllabus: Medal exams and Grade exams. At our studio, we have chosen to alternate between these two types each year of study -especially when students are young- to help develop technique and minimize stress. Medal exams typically last not more than 15 to 20 minutes, consisting of two to three routines demonstrating knowledge and technique. Grade exams typically last from 30 minutes up to 2 hours depending on the level, consisting of barre and centre exercises, one or two routines and discussions about dance theory as the dancers progress.
The B.A.T.D. levels progress (usually) as such:

  • First Steps (minimum age of 4 years old on exam day)

  • Pre Primary

  • Pre Bronze

  • Primary

  • Bronze

  • Grade 1

  • Silver

  • Grade 2

  • Gold

  • Grade 3 (typically when we begin Pointe for our ballet students)

  • Grade 4

  • Grade 5

  • Grade 6 (ballet only)

  • Elementary

  • Associate (teacher’s examination. Minimum age of 16 years old on exam day)

  • Membership

  • Fellowship

Medal levels such as Blue Ribband and British Award are also sometimes taken when appropriate. Levels for Majorette and Step do not follow this format.

About the B.A.T.D.

The British Association is a Registered Friendly Society No 11 SA (5) and is represented on the British Dance Council, The Sports + Recreation Alliance, Theatre Dance Council International, Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre Validated Awarding Organization and The Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing.

The British Association is represented in the United Kingdom, Malta, Canada, America, Australia, South Africa, Spain, France, Italy, Holland, Germany, Belarus, Latvia, Korea and many other countries.

In 1892 the British Association Of Teachers of Dancing was founded and became the first Dancing Association to encourage the professionals of the day to organize themselves into a society to improve and develop the art of dancing, in many forms. The Association may have started a little before 1892, but November the 30th 1892, is the first recorded date that can be established beyond doubt. The first President of the Association was Mr Frederick George Wyatt.

There were twenty four Founder Members in 1892 and from this small beginning the Association has grown to about three and a half thousand members in 1999. In 1896 the Society became a Friendly Society and has remained the only Dancing Society to be so registered since that time.