From January 2022, the attainment bands for RAD exams will be as follows:
Result classification
Total marks
Medal classification (graded exams only)
Standard not attained
0 – 39
n/a
Pass
40 – 54
Bronze
Merit
55 – 64
Silver
High Merit
65 – 74
Silver
Distinction
75 – 84
Gold
High Distinction
85 – 100
Gold
Class Awards attainment descriptors:
Attainment
Descriptors
Not shown
The elements to be assessed were not shown
Occasionally
The candidate showed an ability to achieve the required assessment criteria some of the time
Generally
The candidate showed an ability to achieve the required assessment criteria approximately half of the time
Frequently
The candidate showed an ability to achieve the required assessment criteria almost all of the time
If the attainment descriptor not shown is given in any section, then the class award will not be obtained.
The ‘marks’ given on results listings (within RAD Online Exams Entries) against class awards are actually indicators of the text that will appear on the assessment form. ‘1’ equates to ‘occasionally’, ‘2’ to ‘generally’, and ‘3’ to ‘frequently’, so for example, a mark of 2 against Technique for Primary in Dance class award would equate to ‘Generally demonstrated control and coordination’.
Certificates, result forms, medals, and replacements
Certificates
Certificates are fraud-proof and have a number of security features:
Please note: We only provide medals for exams taken after 2011 for Pre-Primary in Dance class awards and Primary in Dance class awards/exams, and after 2013 for Grade 1-8 exams and Grades 1 – 5 class awards. We do not provide replacement medals for any exam or award prior to these dates.
Replacement certificates
If you lose or damage your certificate, medal, or result form, we may be able to provide a replacement.
For more information, as well as submitting a form for replacements, please click here.
Exams customer feedback
We value your feedback and your comments are important in helping us review and improve our services.
If you have general feedback regarding the RAD Examinations offer we appreciate your time in completing our survey:
Teachers, candidates, or parents/guardians can request a result enquiry report for RAD exams. This includes a clerical check and a written report with the examiner’s encouraging and constructive comments on the results awarded. For this service, a fee of £40 (or equivalent) per candidate will be charged.
Teachers, candidates, or parents/guardians can also lodge a complaint about any examination procedures and processes.
These services take up to 40 working days to process, and the result enquiry application or the complaint needs to be made within 10 working days of the result being received. Result enquiries and complaints made after this time will not normally be accepted. All enquiries and complaints will be investigated thoroughly.
Graded and vocational graded examinations and solo performance awards are awarded as qualifications accredited on the frameworks outlined below.
England, Wales and Northern Ireland
We are recognised to award qualifications on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) in England by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual), in Wales by Qualifications Wales, and in Northern Ireland by the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA).
The Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) provides a single, simple system for cataloguing all regulated qualifications.
We are also recognised to award qualifications on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF), by SQA Accreditation, a part of the Scottish Qualifications Authority.
RAD exams are part of an internationally acknowledged system of assessments, drawing on the research and academic practices of twenty awarding organisations. These promote progressive mastery in music, dance, drama and musical theatre. For more information about how graded exams contribute to the development of performing artists of all ages and abilities, please see www.gradedexams.com
Special consideration
Overview
A Special Consideration is a post-assessmentadjustment for a candidate who was prepared for and present at an assessment, but who may have been disadvantaged by adverse circumstances that arose immediately before (i.e. after the closing date), or at the time of the assessment.
Special Consideration is given when the Awarding Organisation, at its discretion, believes that the adverse circumstances are likely to have materially impacted the candidate’s ability to a) take the assessment or b) fully demonstrate their level of attainment in the assessment.
RAD’s assessments are a measure of what a candidate can demonstrate at one moment in time. The application of Special Consideration must not be misleading in regards a candidate’s achievements. In order to maintain the integrity of the assessment, therefore, only minor adjustments can be made.
Awarding a Special Consideration
Any decision to award special consideration will be based on a number of factors, which may vary from candidate to candidate and from one assessment to another. These factors may include the nature and severity of the circumstances and the date of the assessment in relation to the circumstances.
Each Special Consideration case is evaluated, and the outcome is determined on an individual basis. Such outcomes might include, but are not limited to:
The awarding of a small amount of additional marks (i.e. Special Consideration marks).
An offer to re-take the assessment.
An offer to re-take the assessment in a different format (e.g. filmed assessment).
Application procedure
A teacher, parent/guardian, or candidate (if over 18) may apply for Special Consideration. Applications may only be submitted after the assessment has taken place and must be received by Examinations Customer Service via examscustomerservices@rad.org.uk within 5 working days of the assessment date. A Special Consideration application form and any medical documents need to be submitted as separate documents.
Forms and medical documents should not be given to the examiner on the day of the assessment.
How UCAS points are allocated for RAD exams
Graded and vocational graded exams in dance at RQF Level 3 are allocated points on the UCAS tariff.
This means that candidates who have achieved a pass or higher in Grades 6, 7, 8, Intermediate or Advanced Foundation, can use their RAD exam result towards their points tariff when applying to a course at a university or higher education in the UK.
UCAS has allocated the following tariff points to graded dance qualifications offered by the RAD, which are equivalent in level to RQF Level 3. These tariff points will be made available to higher education providers in a UCAS communication scheduled to go out on 5 April. These points are applicable to learners starting higher education in September 2023 and beyond:
Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) and Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) qualifications awarded from November 2010 onwards (January 2011 in Australia, Canada and South Africa)
Qualifications accredited by SQA Accreditation awarded from January 2012 onwards, including SCQF qualifications
earlier qualifications, accredited on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and awarded from 2001-10 with the exception of Intermediate (as this was at Level 2 on the NQF).
When applying to UCAS online, the ‘centre no’ should be listed as ‘0000’.
You should be able to enter your centre name manually (on Education, UCAS). Click the option to add a school/college/centre and then click on ‘Find’. In the pop-up box, state the name of the school and then click on ‘Search’. The name won’t be found and a red link will appear in the pop-up box: ‘My school/centre is not listed here’. You should click on this and this will allow you to add the name of the school on the form.
