The Grade Syllabus is designed to be fun for children to dance while it helps to develop co-ordination, fitness and a sense of rhythm musicality and expression.

The exams are as follows:

• Primary
• Grades 1-5

For the older student, two pathways are provided: Girls over the age of 11 who want to study purely for pleasure can continue to follow the Grade syllabus which encourages a sense of performance and style and is based on the kind of dance that students see in the theatre. Alternatively boys and girls over the age of 11 who wish to study ballet more seriously, possibly with a view to pursuing a career in dance or teaching, may follow the Major syllabus.

The exams are as follows:

• Pre-Elementary
• Elementary
• Pre-Intermediate
• Intermediate
• Advanced

RAD address is:

    36 Battersea Square,
    London
    SW11 3RA
    Tel 0171-2230091

Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing
(ISTD)

The ISTD was formed in 1904 and its examination syllabi cover all the main types of dancing. The syllabi are taught and examined internationally.

The ballet syllabus has been devised to provide a worthwhile sense of achievement both for children and young adults who dance for recreation and for children hoping to pursue a career in classical ballet.

There are ten Class Tests ranging from Pre-Primary to Level VIII, and seven Grades ranging from Primary to Grade VI, all of which progressively develop a child's technical ability and understanding, giving him or her a sense of dance, poise and an understanding of its relation to music. The examination structure of the Society is designed to cater equally for the "once a week" child and the child who will go on to make dance his/her profession, either as a performer or as a teacher.

The major exams (Pre-elementary to Advanced) are designed to benefit both students aspiring to dance professionally and also those wishing to enter the teaching profession. The pass rates for the ISTD appear to be higher for the major exams than those of the RAD. There is more of an emphasis on musicality and artistry than technical execution emphasised by the RAD.

ISTD also have a large web site at http://www.istd.org

ISTD address is:

    Imperial House
    22/26 Paul Street
    London
    EC2A 4QE
    Tel 0171-3771577

Exams for Adults

Adults can sit the RAD examinations but no concessions are provided such as not having to dance on pointe. For the ISTD major exams, students aged 25 years and over may be examined as "Mature" candidates. In practical terms this means that for the elementary exam mature candidates do not have to dance on pointe (for example).

However, it is not necessary to sit the examinations as an adult unless you want to become a teacher. To have got to Elementary standard with a reasonable technique which is emphasised by the prescribed way of doing the set work you should be able to cope with Open Classes at Elementary level. Open Classes compliment exam work because they make the student do free work and learn to pick up unfamiliar combinations.