Examinations

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We are proud to offer multi-genre Examinations, recognised by Ofqual and Qualification Wales. Our syllabi and Examinations offer a broad education in dance that is accessible to all children, young people, and adults.

Students have different reasons for learning to dance so we have created different pathways for Graded Examinations and Vocational training, and dance for pleasure, so that students can be rewarded for their achievement and dedication.

Regardless of the route they take, all students are awarded for their Examination achievements through a certificate and, where relevant, a mark breakdown and badge. Our Examinations are available to everyone; all dancers have the opportunity to succeed with our qualifications and Registered Teachers.

Examination results indicate the standard achieved by students within a nationally recognised and BBO framework. They are structured in a progressive way which helps teachers to monitor the development of individual students, including measures of achievement of technical, musical and performance skills from beginner to professional level.

Our Examinations are open to all; they are a fantastic way for students to develop confidence, artistry, musicality and to realise their potential. Taking Examinations of any level shows potential employers that students are creative, goal-oriented, willing to learn and are committed to achieving difficult tasks. Higher level Examinations even carry UCAS Tariff points, which can be used when applying for university.

Many students love to be challenged and take great pride in Examination success.

Reasonable Adjustments and Special Considerations Policy

Examination Fees 2024-25

"I feel a combination of being so impressed with the standards you expect from your examiners, and really enjoying the clarity and structure in your syllabi. bbodance is so different and the respect that the last examiner showed to my little, once a week, nervous children who had not done exams before was so wonderful, they all came out smiling and proud of themselves. Your ethos is so professional and so child focused it makes a huge difference both to my children and to me and my teachers, and our confidence that our children will be treated well and fairly during exams."

Vicky, bbodance Registered Teacher

Graded Exams

Our Graded and Vocational Examinations follow a traditional system of dance training; they are aligned with a Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) and regulated by Ofqual and Qualification Wales.

For information on dance genres for Graded Examinations, please refer to our Levels and Specifications.

Graded/Vocational Graded	Level
Grade 1	1
Grade 2	1
Grade 3	1
Grade 4	2
Grade 5	2
Grades 6-8	3
Intermediate Foundation	2
Intermediate	3
Advanced 1	4
Advanced 2	4

Performance Awards

For students who dance purely for leisure or find a full Graded/Vocational Graded Examination too much at this time, we offer Performance Awards. Your teacher will be able to work with you to prepare a selection of exercises from the Grade you are studying.

Performance Awards are a great marker of achievement, allow teachers to keep classes together, despite doing different Examinations, and help students to grow in confidence.

Performance Awards are available in the following areas:

Ballet	Tap	Modern	Jazz	Musical Theatre
Pre-Primary	Pre-Primary	Pre-Primary	Pre-Primary	Pre-Primary
Primary	Primary	Primary	Primary	Primary
Grade 1	Grade 1	Grade 1	Grade 1	Grade 1
Grade 2	Grade 2	Grade 2	Grade 2	Grade 2
Grade 3	Grade 3	Grade 3	Grade 3	Grade 3
Grade 4	Grade 4	Grade 4	Grade 4	Grade 4
Grade 5	Grade 5	Grade 5	Grade 5	Grade 5
Grade 6	Grade 6	-	-	-
Grade 7	Grade 7	-	-	-
-	Grade 8	-	-	-
Intermediate Foundation	Intermediate Foundation	Intermediate Foundation	Intermediate Foundation	Intermediate Foundation
Intermediate	Intermediate	Intermediate	Intermediate	Intermediate
Advanced 1	Advanced 1	Advanced 1	-	-
-	Advanced 2	-	-	-

Dance Awards

Our Dance Awards give students an opportunity to perform a series of dances across all genres that have been choreographed by their teacher. These build in length and complexity according to the Dance Award Level.

Dance Awards Structure and Criteria

Suggested Dance Styles:

Classical
Character
Contemporary
Disco/Freestyle
Jazz
Modern (inc. Lyrical)
National
Song & Dance
Street
Tap

Suggested Grade of Study	Dance Awards (per Level & Non-Regulated
Introduction	Nursery Award
Pre-Primary & Primary	Primary Dance Award
Grades 1-3	Level 1 Dance Award
Grades 4-5 & Intermediate Foundation	Level 2 Dance Award
Grades 6-8 & Intermediate	Level 3 Dance Award
Advanced 1 & 2	Level 4 Dance Award

Pre-Graded Exams

For younger students, we offer a route to prepare for Graded Examinations in the form of Pre-Graded Examinations; these exams are regulated by Ofqual and Qualification Wales, or our internal board.

They are recommended for students aged 4-7, however dancers of any age my take Pre-Graded Examinations. For Introduction to Ballet, Pre-Syllabus and Pre-Primary, children are accompanied by their teacher or assistant. At Primary level, students undertake a more formal assessment, normally without their teacher present.

Pre-Graded Exams
Introduction to Ballet (regulated by our internal board)
Pre-Syllabus Tap and Modern (regulated by our internal board)
Pre-Primary Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Modern (regulated by Ofqual and Qualification Wales)
Primary Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Musical Theatre and AcroDancer (regulated by Ofqual and Qualification Wales)

Levels and Specifications

Our Specifications below support BBO Registered Teachers in their understanding of the content, requirements and assessment modes for each Examination. They are designed to be used for the planning of qualification delivery and preparation for Examinations. Each specification provides the aims, objectives, and assessment criteria for all BBO regulated qualifications, along with the benefits for learners, recommended Total Qualification Time (TQT), and Guided Learning Hours (GLH).

Please download a copy of our Specifications for use in your planning, delivery and Examination preparation:

Qualifications regulated by Ofqual and Qualification Wales:

Entry Level Specification (Pre-Primary and Primary)
Level 1 Specification (Grade 1, 2, 3)
Level 2 Specification (Grade 4, 5, Intermediate Foundation)
Level 3 Specification (Grade 6, 7, 8, Intermediate)
Level 4 Specification (Advanced 1 and Advanced 2)

The qualifications detailed in the Specifications can be completed in a variety of dance genres. We have created syllabi in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern, Musical Theatre and AcroDancer to offer students the opportunity to complete Examinations in the dance styles they enjoy. Our syllabi provide a comprehensive structure designed to encourage the enjoyment and learning of dance for students of all ages and abilities, recognising their progress and achievement.

Qualifications regulated by BBO:

UCAS Tariff Points

All bbodance Level 3 Graded and Vocational Graded Examinations carry UCAS points. Level 3 Graded Examinations in Performing Arts carries UCAS points. When applying to universities, conservatoires or vocational colleges it’s important to include your Graded Examination results as they are a clear indicator of your achievement.

Whether you want to go into engineering or dance, Graded Examination achievement shows your ability to study a subject at a high level; determination, dedication and resilience are qualities you need for any profession!

If you took a Grade 6, 7 or 8 Graded Examination and/or Intermediate Vocational Graded Examinations from 1st September 2010 (when the qualification was transferred to the Qualifications and Credit Framework), your achievement carries the following UCAS Points. The number of points you can get depends on how well you did in your Examination (i.e. Distinction, Merit or Pass).

UCAS

Category	Grade 6	Grade 7	Grade 8	Intermediate
Pass	8	12	16	8
Merit	10	14	18	14
Distinction/Distinction*	12	16	20	20

Why Take Dance Examinations?

Examination results indicate the standard achieved by students within a nationally recognised and BBO framework. They are structured in a progressive way which helps teachers to monitor the development of individual students, including measures of achievement of technical, musical and performance skills from beginner to professional level.

"We had a really lovely exam session and an examiner that was fabulous with our students. They came out of the exam feeling like they had put their all in and danced their best."

Debby, bbodance Registered Teacher

Our Examinations are open to all; they are a fantastic way for students to develop confidence, artistry, musicality and to realise their potential. Taking Examinations of any level shows potential employers that students are creative, goal-oriented, willing to learn and are committed to achieving difficult tasks. Higher level Examinations even carry UCAS Tariff points, which can be used when applying for university.

Many students love to be challenged and take great pride in Examination success.