Exam Hints and Tips!
- Rebecca Hollands
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
What happens on the day of an exam?
We have 2 types of examination styles - In Person and Video. Both are treated with the same level of importance.
On the day of the exam, students will come into the studio early in the correct uniform and hair in place. They will normally do a warm up and then have a number attached to their uniforms, this helps the examiner easily identify them.
With an in person exam, students wait outside the studio until a bell rings to announce the examiners are ready. When students enter the room, they will introduce themselves to the examiner. The examiner then gives instructions about the exercises they’d like the student to perform. Normally, this starts with barre, moving on to centre practice exercises and then the main dance or study. While many of the exercises are performed as a full group, centre practice will often be in pairs, with the main dance being a solo.
Once the exam is over, the examiner will dismiss the students, who should always make sure to thank the examiner.
With a Video exam, these can be group or solo, all exercises are completed with just a teacher and a camera present to record the exam. The video is then sent to an examining board to mark. These types of exams are mainly used for Singing Exams, Acting Exams and Solo Musical Theatre exams.
Phase 1: Exam Preparation
Practice Practice Practice
It goes without saying, but the more you practice the better you’ll be. Practice don’t just help increase your skill but help build your confidence by ensuring you know your exercises like the back of your hand.
We have a One Drive that contains all practice material for each grade and discipline, so there is no excuse not to practice! Links are in our Parent Band App.
Does your child have the correct uniform?
Two weeks prior, do a full dress rehearsal at home.
Uniform Inspection: Check leotards for fit. Buy a spare pair of ballet tights or socks. In fact, buy two.
Dance Shoes: Are the elastics sewn securely in the ballet shoes? Do the tap shoes fit, are the jazz shoes clean.
Comfort Check: Make sure you know exactly what uniform in required for your child.
UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS
Ballet - Minis and Juniors
Megan Leotard in Lilac
Ballet socks
Pink Ballet shoes.
Ballet Skirt
Ballet -Inters and Seniors
Megan Leotard in Lavender for Intermediate
Anna Leotard in Lavender for Senior
Ballet Belt
Pink Ballet tights
Pink Ballet shoes. Split sole for Senior
Character Skirt and Character Shoes
Musical Theatre / Acro / Tap - Inters and Seniors
Megan Leotard in Lavender for Intermediate
Anna Leotard in Lavender for Senior
Academy Leggings in Charcoal
Black Socks and Black Jazz Shoes for Musical Theatre
Bare feet for Acro
Tap shoes for Tap
Musical Theatre / Acro / Tap- Minis and Juniors
Megan Leotard in Lilac
Academy Leggings in Elephant
Black Socks and Black Jazz Shoes for Musical Theatre
Bare feet for Acro
Tap shoes for Tap
Acting / Singing - Juniors
Megan leotard / Elephant grey t-shirt or vest top
- Academy Leggings in Elephant or Joggers
- Black Socks and Black Jazz Shoes
Acting / Singing - Inters and Seniors
Megan Leotard in Lavender for Intermediate
Anna Leotard in Lavender for Senior
Or Charcoal T-Shirt or Vest Top
Academy Leggings in Charcoal or Joggers
Black Socks and Black Jazz Shoes
All Uniform Items can be purchased here: https://www.thepatheatreacademy.uk/online-store
Exam Nerves
Nerves are completely normal and means they care about what they are about to under take. Allow them to feel the nerves and channel them into their practice.
Visualisation Techniques for Kids
Top athletes use visualisation to prime their brains. Encourage your child to sit quietly, close their eyes, and "watch" themselves completing the exam perfectly.
Ask them to imagine walking into the studio with confidence.
Ask them to imagine the joy of the music and landing that final pose.
Get a good night’s sleep before the examination
The Big Day (Morning Routine)
Your goal for the day is simple: Low Stress, High Spirit.
Breakfast for Dancers
Nerves often kill appetite, but a dancer needs fuel. Avoid high-sugar cereals that lead to an energy crash.
Go for: Slow-release energy like porridge, bananas (rich in potassium for muscles), or toast with peanut butter.
Hydration: Water is best. Avoid fizzy drinks which can cause bloating.
The Hair
Do the hair at home. No fringes or fly-away hair.
Minis and Juniors All Disciplines - We supply the bow
Intermediate and Senior Ballet - watch a guide here: Bun
Intermediate and Senior Hair All other Dance Disciplines
Acting and Singing can have pony tails, as long as all hair is off the face and no fringes.
The Toothbrush Trick: Spray strong-hold hairspray onto an old toothbrush to smooth down flyaways at the hairline. It gives a sleek, professional finish.
Arrival Timing
For in person Dance exams - Arrive 45 minutes before the scheduled time, please drop off at the door and we will take over. This extra allows students to warm up, get their numbers on, have a practice and if the examiner is running early, there is no panic.
For Solo video exams the arrival time can be 10 minutes - but you will be told exact timings
In the Exam - FOR THE STUDENT
LET YOUR EXPRESSION COME OUT IN YOUR PERFORMANCE
From the moment you hear the music or become your character, feel it inside. Take advantage of those feelings. The examiners will see it if you are enjoying the moment.
BE CONFIDENT
Stand up straight and keep your eyes up. Believe in yourself, your practice and your ability.
HAVE FUN, SMILE AND ENJOY THE PERFORMANCE
No matter how nervous you are, you love performing. You enjoy this, so have fun and try to do your best. Show the examiners that you deserve to pass the exam. Good vibes are really important, and when you love what you do, others can feel it too.
The most important thing to remember is to stay calm. Any kind of exam is always nerve-wracking but breathing through it and remaining composed is the key to success when it comes to dancing.
If you feel yourself getting anxious, sip some water and focus on deep breaths. Having a pre-exam routine to carry out is great to keep you busy and focused. Most of all, try to enjoy yourself – after all, you’re here because of your love of performing!
How can you help -Backstage Support
Be the "Calm Anchor"
Your child will mirror your emotions. If you look worried, they will be terrified. If you look calm, they will feel safe.
Keep it Quiet: Respect the silence required for exams.
What to Say: Avoid saying "Good luck" Instead say: "Go and show them what you can do. Enjoy the it. I am so proud of you."
PICK UP
The actual exam should take between 10 and 20 minutes, so an hour after you have dropped them off it is time to come and get them. We will bring them down to you, please do not come into the building, we don't want any noise traveling into the exams.
Post-Exam
When they walk out, they are emotionally vulnerable. They might feel elated, or they might obsess over a small slip-up.
Validate, don't interrogate. Don't ask, "Did you remember to point your feet?"
Celebrate the Achievement. A post-exam tradition (ice cream or a milkshake) reinforces that the experience is what matters, regardless of the certificate mark.
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