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.

For vocational graded exams held at an RAV the music must be performed by 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 fourteen days after the exam date.
For further details, please see fees in our Specifications.

Download the refund form for Germany.

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)
• Cecchetti Ballet Australia
• Australian Conservatoire of Ballet
• Australian Institute of Classical Dance

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 appropriate arrangements (i.e. reasonable adjustments) to be put in place. We can make these to administrative and exam procedures, if they are agreed to be reasonable, necessary, and practicable.

To safeguard the integrity of the award, all candidates will be assessed against the same criteria and no concessions (i.e. alterations to marks) will be made in this respect.

Please submit your application by using the pencil icon to the right of the relevant candidate and activating the RA check box (new window opens) to define the type of Reasonable Adjustment on RAD Online Exam Entry. Please also ensure that your application form is uploaded to the notes section of the exam entry. Please do not submit any medical documentation. RAD headquarters will request this directly if this is required.

For face-to-face exams, this needs to be completed by the time of the closing date of the entry. All applications after the closing date of the entry for face-to-face exams should be submitted to exams customer services directly no later than 5 working days before the date of the exam taking place.

For filmed exams, this also needs to be completed no later than 5 working days before the date of the filmed exam taking place.

For both face-to-face and filmed exams, application forms received less than 5 working days before the exam date would 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.

All uniform is recommended, not required, and does not form part of the examination assessment. 

• 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. 

We want candidates to feel comfortable and confident in their uniform. If you have any further queries about uniform or wish to discuss any adjustments, please get in touch.

The RAD shop stocks a range of recommended exam uniforms.

Filmed exams were introduced to offer an alternative for teachers and students wishing to enter exams during the COVID-19 global pandemic when live exams were not possible.

Filming of exams will continue to be offered.

For assistance or more information

For more information, as well as guides for filming and uploading filmed exams, please visit the Members’ Area.

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.