students taking RAD exams

Before your exam

RAD | Dance exams Before your exam

Here you will find information on specifications, syllabus, music, uniform, and everything you need to know to prepare for taking an RAD exam.

Exams Overview

Name of awardWhat?Who?Assessed?Where?
Demonstration class
(Dance to Your Own Tune)
Free content, led by teacherCandidates age 2.5
to 5 years
No, the examiner only observesAEC or RAV
Solo performance award
(Grades 1-7)
3 solo dances, at least 2 from exam syllabusFrom age 7Yes, as per award criteriaAEC or RAV
Class award
(Pre-Primary in Dance to Grade 8 and Discovering Repertoire)
Class award syllabus (a selection of exercises and one dance), led by the teacherFrom age 5,
Discovering Repertoire from age 12
Yes, a broad indication of standard rather than a detailed breakdownAEC or RAV
Examination
(Graded, Vocational and Discovering Repertoire)
Candidates perform the exam syllabus
From age 6, Discovering Repertoire from age 12
Yes, as per exam criteria
AEC or RAV

Solo Seal
Candidates perform three variations and a virtuoso finale for a panel of judges and an audienceFrom age 15
Yes, by an RAD examiner and a dance professional approved by the Artistic DirectorRAV or theatre venue

*AEC – Approved Examination Centre, normally the teacher’s own studio

*RAV – RAD Approved Venue, premises provided by the RAD.

Our exams glossary explains other terms that you may not be familiar with.

Specifications and syllabus

Music

Exam fees and refunds

Refunds, withdrawals, and cancellations

Exam bursaries

Timings and sets

Session dates

Forms

Prerequisites and age requirements

Exam prerequisites

ExamPrerequisite
Intermediate FoundationNone
IntermediateNone
Advanced FoundationIntermediate
Advanced 1Intermediate
Advanced 2Advanced 1
Solo SealAdvanced 2 (Distinction)

Age requirements

LevelTarget age
Level 12½ – 3½
Level 23½ – 4½ or 5
LevelMinimum ageRecommendedRequired
Pre-Primary in Dance5
Primary in Dance6
Grades 1-57
Grades 6-811
Intermediate Foundation11
Intermediate12
Advanced Foundation13
Advanced 114
Advanced 215
Solo Seal15
Discovering Repertoire12

Reasonable adjustments

Policies, procedures, and regulations

What to wear

  • Uniform should flatter and enhance the candidate’s line, be clean, appropriately supportive and comfortable to the individual. The silhouette of the candidate should be clearly visible.
  • Footwear should be well-fitted to allow for the correct articulation and extension of the foot. 
  • The use of make-up is not necessary. However, if worn by more mature candidates, this should be natural and kept to a minimum. 
  • Hair should be securely styled off the face and neck so the line of the upper body is not obscured and the movement of head is not impeded. 
  • For health and safety reasons, jewellery should not be worn unless for religious or cultural reasons. Small stud piercings may be worn if securely fastened. 
  • Underwear may be worn under leotards as required and seamless designs are recommended for discretion and comfort. 

Headquarters exams

Travel Guide

However you like to travel, here are some of our recommended routes to get the RAD.

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  • Train
  • Bus
  • Bicycle
  • River
  • Car

Via Clapham Junction

The closest mainline station is Clapham Junction and is approximately 800 metres away (8 mins walk or 3 mins cycling). Take the Grant Road exit for a short walk or bus ride.

Clapham Junction is managed by Southwestern Trains and provides connections north-east bound to London Waterloo via Vauxhall (10-minute journey approximately) and southbound to various locations including Brighton and Southampton. It is also served by London Overground, which calls at stations including West Brompton, Kensington (Olympia), Shepherds Bush, and Willesden Junction.

Bus 44
Every 7-11 mins

Victoria Station – Battersea – Tooting Station

Bus 295
Every 8-12 mins

Ladbroke Grove – Fulham – Clapham Junction

Bus C3
Every 9-11 mins

Clapham Junction – Imperial Wharf – Earls Court

Bus 170
Every 6-10 mins

Victoria Station – Minstead Gardens

Cycle Superhighway 8 (CS8) passes in front of the building with designated on-street cycle lanes provided on York Road and there are bike locks available on both sides of the building.

There is also a Santander Cycle Hire docking station approximately 250 metres away on Hibbert Street, and a second 400 metres away on Usk Road.

Plantation Wharf Pier is 200 metres away, offering regular services (River Bus RB6) to and from Embankment, London Bridge, and Canary Wharf. This runs every 30 minutes during peak morning and evening periods.

There are no private parking spaces available, only controlled street parking (CPZ) nearby. For more information on CPZ, check the Wandsworth Council website.

We encourage people to use public transport. Several bus routes run past the building and Clapham Junction train station is nearby.

Contact us at exams@rad.org.uk, or alternatively, you can view further exam information in the Member’s Area.

Students studying to become dance teachers

Become an RAD Registered Teacher

Only RAD Registered Teachers (RAD RTS) are eligible to enter students for our exams.

To enrol your students and better prepare them for success, visit our Member’s Area for more resources.

Not a registered teacher? Sign up and become a member today, and help your students succeed on their dance journey.