Grade One Exam Preparation

Students can be entered for the Grade One examination from the age of 7 years. They must be at a level where they can execute the syllabus work without the aid of a teacher and know the work fully without being prompted.

Students enter the examination in groups of 1, 2 or 3’s.

The students enter the examination room with number 3 leading in, they will have their exam forms with them which they hand into the examiner and each student should have their number pinned onto their front.. Once they have done this they line up in front of the examiner starting with number 1 student, from left to right.

Students say either “Good morning” or “Good afternoon” and the examiner will check their names before they commence.

LENGTH OF EXAMINATION

The exam is only 15 minutes long. The next group of candidates are ready to go into the exam room once the first group have entered. 

Some examiners like to ring a bell to let you know when they are ready for the next group but others like to just keep the groups flowing one after the other. Make sure you check with the examiner before the session starts as to which way they prefer.

PARTNER WORK

Always encourage putting a stronger candidate with a weaker one. When numbering the children make sure number 1 and 3 are the strongest candidates as they are the ones who will lead in some of the exercises. 

MUSIC

Music must be operated by an independent person not the teacher. There should be a screen around this person so they are unable to see the students but must be able to see the examiner.

The play list should be unticked so that the tracks don’t run straight into each other.

MIRRORS

These must be covered.

UNIFORM

Girls: Leotard, ballet skirt is optional, pink ballet tights (under 12’s may wear pink ballet socks) pink ballet shoes with elastics or ribbons.

Hair in a ballet bun, if hair is too short for a bun a ballet hair band should be worn.

No jewellery, nail polish or makeup.

Boys: Black tights or shorts, black leotard or unitard, white ballet socks, black ballet shoes.

Hair out of eyes and tidy.