Before your exam

Music

More information on music in exams can be found in our Specifications (see Music), and CDs and sheet music can be bought from the RAD shop.

Please note: for graded exams, it is better if the teacher does not serve as the pianist or operate the CD player as this can be very distracting for the candidates.

We suggest the following:

• A screen should be placed between the performing space and the CD operator.
• The CD operator should sit with their back towards the exam area, or facing away from the candidates, making no eye contact with the candidates.
• Candidates should understand beforehand that the examiner will conduct the exam and even if their teacher is operating the CD player, their teacher will not assist at any point.

All vocational graded exams must be performed with a pianist, but the variations are performed to the orchestral tracks on the CD. The pianist must operate the CD player.

Refunds, withdrawals, and cancellations

When applying for a refund, evidence should be submitted to the appropriate RAD office no later than four weeks after the exam date.
For further details, please see fees in our Specifications.

Want to take your exam but need some help getting there? At the RAD, we are here to support you.

We can cover exam fees for students who meet the right criteria – find out more about the bursaries we have available.

Exam prerequisites

Equivalent ballet qualifications from the following organisations are accepted:

• British Ballet Organisation (BBO/bbodance)
• British Theatre Dance Association (BTDA)
• National Association of Teachers of Dance (NATD)
• Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD)
• International Dance Teachers’ Association (IDTA)

Where candidates enter for an exam and the prerequisite in the same session, the award of the exam will be dependent on the prerequisite also being passed.
For more information, please see ‘Entering candidates for exams’ in our Specifications.

Age requirements

An RAD Registered teacher will identify when a candidate is ready to take an exam.

For demonstration classes, the following target ages apply:

There are recommended age requirements for all RAD exams, class awards and solo performance awards and required ages for Intermediate Foundation, Intermediate and Discovering Repertoire exams and class awards.

Without exception, candidates must reach the required minimum age by 31 December in the year in which they are taking the exam.

If you are concerned about whether to enter an RAD exam due to a special educational need, disability or medical condition, you can request special arrangements (reasonable adjustments) to be put in place. We can make these to administrative and exam procedures if they are judged to be reasonable, necessary, and practicable.

Applications for adjustments should be made by the closing date for exam entry, to enable the RAD to ensure that a candidate’s particular requirements are met.

To safeguard the integrity of the award, all candidates will be assessed against the same criteria and no concessions will be made in this respect.

Forms should be submitted at the closing date for the exam entry. Please highlight the check box next to the relevant candidate in your exam entry.

Submit the reasonable adjustment form via email or attach to your online entry. Please do not submit medical notes – if such information is needed we will be in touch.

If you attach a form to your online entry after the closing date, please notify exams customer services and your local organiser.

Forms received less than 2 working days before the exam date may not be processed.

• Reasonable Adjustment Application Form
• Before completing this form please read the Reasonable adjustments and special considerations policy
• Please find the RAD Examinations Privacy Policy
• Forms should not be given to the examiner on the day of the exam.

For a breakdown of all our exams policies, please visit the page linked below.

Uniform is recommended for each grade, but where this is not possible, suitable alternatives may be worn.

Candidates are not assessed based on their uniform worn.

• All uniform should be clean and well-fitting.
• Jewellery should not be worn unless required for religious or cultural reasons.
• Where used, makeup should be kept light and to a minimum.
• Hair should be neat and tidy, styled off the face and neck so that the line of the head and neck is not obscured.

We want to ensure that candidates feel comfortable and secure in their exam. If you have any queries about uniform, or wish to talk about any adjustments, please do get in touch.

The RAD shop stocks a range of recommended exam uniforms.

If you are taking your exam at our headquarters in London, please see the information below on how to find us.

Visit our headquarters page to view more information about on-site amenities, accessibility, and opening hours.